Kagiso Trust will bring South African communities face-to-face with political parties this week, giving residents a national platform to demand accountability on issues affecting their lives.
The People Build Democracy national convention, taking place on 29 and 30 October 2026 at the Birchwood Conference Centre, will bring together civil society organisations, social movements and community representatives to consolidate priorities identified through five years of public engagement.
The initiative aims to ensure that concerns raised by communities, including service delivery challenges and government accountability, become part of a structured national discussion with political leaders.
Central to the convention is Isivumelwano – The Agreement, a document developed from community manifestos, action plans, protest memoranda and reports from public dialogues.
The agreement will bring together priorities identified by South Africans and provide a basis for political parties to respond publicly to the issues communities want addressed.
On 29 October, participating organisations will review and refine the agreement, identifying common priorities and proposed solutions.
The following day, invited political parties will be given an opportunity to respond through a structured, non-partisan engagement.
The process is intended to strengthen the role of ordinary citizens in democratic decision-making and create a foundation for continued accountability beyond elections.
Rev. Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Kagiso Trust, said communities should recognise their ability to influence decisions affecting their future.
“Democracy extends beyond the ballot box. We all need to be active citizens to achieve a democracy that works for us all,” he said.
“Through People Build Democracy, we want communities to recognise the power they have to shape their own future and hold those in leadership accountable.”
The convention builds on Kagiso Trust’s #StartWhereYouAre campaign, which encourages residents to identify local challenges, participate in community initiatives and contribute to practical solutions.
Boichoko Ditlhake, Civil Society Support Programme Head at Kagiso Trust, said communities regularly develop ideas and solutions to local problems but often struggle to have those proposals considered at national level.
“Every day, people in our communities come together to talk about the challenges they face, share ideas and imagine a better future for their children,” she said.
“These conversations produce real solutions, but too often those voices are not heard beyond their communities.”
Ditlhake said the convention would bring these perspectives together and provide a platform for engagement with political parties.
For community organisations, the process offers an opportunity to move beyond isolated local discussions and contribute to a collective set of priorities that can be presented to political leaders.
The convention’s theme, From Citizen Voice to Shared Action and Accountability, reflects its focus on public participation and the responsibility of elected representatives to engage with community concerns.
Kagiso Trust, which marked its 40th anniversary in 2025, is positioning the initiative as part of its ongoing work to strengthen community participation and support citizens in shaping South Africa’s development.
The outcome will depend on the agreement reached by participating organisations and the responses provided by political parties during the convention.
Further information is available at www.peoplebuilddemocracy.org.za.
