For many South Africans, service delivery failures are a daily reality. Potholes, water leaks, broken traffic lights, and unreliable refuse collection aren't just minor inconveniences — they disrupt livelihoods, threaten safety, and erode public trust in local government.
But what if there was a way to stop feeling powerless — and start fixing things?
A new platform called FixLocal is helping ordinary citizens take control by offering a simple way to report problems, connect with councillors, and demand accountability. It’s easy to use, free, and already making a measurable difference.
What Is FixLocal?
FixLocal is a civic tech platform that allows you to report municipal service issues — from potholes to power outages — and automatically directs your concern to the right ward councillor or municipal department.
The platform is available:
- Online at fixlocal.org.za
- Via WhatsApp, for easy mobile use
- Through a soon-to-be-launched app, currently in development
With a focus on accessibility and local empowerment, FixLocal eliminates the confusion around where and how to report problems by providing a centralised, user-friendly reporting tool.
What You Can Report
FixLocal is designed to help residents report a wide range of everyday issues, including:
- Potholes and road damage
- Broken or non-functioning streetlights
- Faulty traffic signals
- Water leaks and burst pipes
- I llegal dumping or missed refuse collection
- Stormwater drain blockages
- Electricity faults
- Public safety concerns
Each report is geo-tagged and logged, creating a clear paper trail that makes it easier for councillors and municipal officials to respond, track, and resolve.
How It Works
Using FixLocal is as simple as:
- Opening the platform online or via WhatsApp
- Entering your location manually or using the geo-locate feature
- Describing the issue and uploading a photo (optional but helpful)
- The platform then identifies your ward and sends your report to the correct councillor or department
What sets FixLocal apart is that it doesn’t stop at submission — it encourages community follow-up and accountability, helping residents see what action is (or isn’t) being taken.
Why It Matters – Fixing What’s Broken
For years, South Africans have struggled with slow, inconsistent, or absent responses to service delivery complaints. Many people don’t even know who their councillor is, or where to report issues. FixLocal closes that gap.
Here’s what makes it so impactful:
- One platform for all issues – No more figuring out who to contact
- Public accountability – Reports are documented and visible
- Direct access to councillors – No more being passed from one department to another
- Data-driven follow-ups – Evidence of unresolved complaints can now be escalated
It’s Already Working
FixLocal isn’t just another digital tool — it’s a civic movement. Success stories are already emerging from communities around the country:
- In Welverdiend, Gauteng, local efforts led to a R59 million roads budget being released after consistent pressure on municipal officials
- In Senekal, Free State, residents used the platform to track and escalate water infrastructure failures until repairs were made
- Parkrun SA, a national community fitness initiative, has been using FixLocal to push for safer, cleaner public spaces
These examples show what can happen when communities are given the tools to speak with one voice — and that voice is impossible to ignore.
Who Is Behind FixLocal?
FixLocal was launched as a collaboration between civic-minded South Africans who saw a need for technological empowerment at the grassroots level. The platform is non-partisan and not linked to any political organisation. Its goal is simple: make it easier for citizens to fix their communities, one problem at a time.
A Tool for Councillors Too
FixLocal isn’t just for residents — it’s also a resource for municipal councillors, many of whom are overwhelmed with requests or unaware of specific service backlogs in their wards. The platform helps councillors:
- Receive structured, traceable reports
- Identify patterns or problem zones
- Prioritise based on urgency and volume
- Communicate progress more effectively with residents
This kind of visibility encourages better performance — and makes it harder for issues to be ignored.
Accountability Starts with Awareness
Too often, we hear the same response: “There’s nothing we can do.” FixLocal flips that script.
If you’ve reported a pothole and nothing happened, now there’s proof. If a councillor doesn’t respond, now there’s a public record. And if your neighbourhood is being neglected, now there’s a way to mobilise your community and get things moving.
It’s not just about fixing roads — it’s about fixing local government from the bottom up.
Take Action
If your streetlight hasn’t worked in weeks, or your neighbourhood is drowning in litter, you don’t have to accept it.
Visit fixlocal.org.za
Enter your address. Report your issue. Know your councillor. Demand feedback. It’s that simple.