The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi launched the Know Your Service Rights Campaign on 10 March. The campaign has been designed to make citizens aware of their rights about the level of services provided to them by various government departments. This is complimented by the department handbook which informs the public about the services they are entitled to and who to contact if they are not receiving these services. According to Sibongakonke Shoba’s Business Day article the department plans to use community development workers, NGOs and community-based organisations to create awareness. It is critical that the information is well distributed and accessible to all sectors of society.
Municipal IQis an online data and intelligence service specialising in the monitoring and assessment of South Africa’s 283 municipalities. MD Kevin Allen acknowledges that the campaign could have a significant impact, however he also warned that the initiative was only part of a solution and that increasing awareness must not be confused with the need to provide services to everyone. This point is reiterated by Mnikelo Ndabankulu, spokesperson for Durban shack- dwellers’ movement
Abahlali Basemjondolo, who states that “it could only work if councillors and mayors prioritised people’s needs instead of 2010 projects. Our leaders have forgotten about the need to build houses and are concentrating on building stadiums”.
