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On 19 November 2025, the Eastern Cape hosted the 4th Provincial Public Participation & Rapid Response Advisory Forum. The session brought together officials and sector departments to review ward committee frameworks, strengthen collaboration at ward level, and prepare communities for the 2026 Local Government Elections. The gathering aimed to improve transparency, support field workers, and ensure safer, more organised participation processes.
What Happened
The Forum opened with a review of the current remuneration system for Ward Committee Members. Officials discussed the out-of-pocket framework and stressed the need for consistent implementation across municipalities. They also unpacked the revised ward-committee election guidelines, which now emphasise competency requirements, transparency, and stronger inclusivity.
Members then examined a proposed coordination model designed to improve cooperation among sector departments operating at ward level. The model aims to align field-worker responsibilities and reinforce support for Public Participation and Rapid Response teams.
Updates followed on the deployment of ward-based practitioners from Social Development, Health, and Agriculture. Officials noted potential opportunities to integrate their work more effectively. The session also evaluated the role of Secretaries of Traditional Councils in strengthening coordinated local governance.
Official Response
A significant section of the programme focused on preparing communities for the 2026 Local Government Elections. This included plans for voter education, mobilisation campaigns, and identifying potential hotspot areas ahead of election day. The State Security Agency (SSA) Eastern Cape delivered a briefing on emerging security risks and the province’s current stability.
Forum participants also received reports on the 2024/25 Winter Initiation Programme and progress on preparations for the upcoming Summer Male Initiation season.
Officials ended the session with an update on election readiness. The briefing covered Verification, Statistics and Information (VSI) requirements needed to support election planning and ensure an efficient rollout.
Community Impact
The Forum’s decisions are expected to improve ward-level accountability, strengthen service coordination, and help communities engage more confidently ahead of next year’s elections. Clearer guidelines and improved support for field workers aim to reduce confusion and strengthen public trust. The focus on security, voter education, and hotspot monitoring signals a proactive approach as the province moves toward 2026.
