The City of Cape Town is asking civil society organisations to help it update its database.
All civil society organisations are invited to register if they haven’t done so already and are encouraged to update their details if they have. This includes organisations involved in arts and culture, the environment, or sport and recreation, as well as schools and faith-based organisations. In addition the City invites any civil society organisations that are active in the fields of health and welfare, disability, youth, senior citizens and gender matters to register.
The updating exercise is being conducted by means of letters to registered organisations to verify their contact details, and advertisements in the local press to encourage new registrations. In addition, the City will introduce an annual re-registration process to ensure maximum accuracy. Although registration is not a compulsory exercise, the City will only communicate directly and personally with organisations on its database. This does not exclude anyone from public engagement because they will still be able to respond directly to advertisements in the media or via the City’s website.
Organisations can register by completing category specific registration forms available at their subcouncil office or
here. Forms should be submitted to the relevant subcouncil offices for capturing, as each office is the custodian of databases in its own area.
| Category of community-based organizations |
Closing date |
| Civic, ratepayers, faith-based |
31 March 2010 |
| Schools, early childhood development |
12 April 2010 |
| Art & culture, sports & recreation, environment |
18 May 2010 |
| Health, welfare, disability, youth, women, senior citizens |
18 May 2010 |
Registered organisations are asked to provide proof of their mandate to represent their communities. While exceptional work is done by many such organisations throughout Cape Town, there are unfortunately some that are regarded as unrepresentative of the views of the larger community. The City is mindful however that all such organisations are voluntary and thus cannot be compelled to function in a particular way or to register with the Council. If organisations choose not to register, they will not be denied the opportunity to present their views to the City, but they will not be asked to do so individually.
Public participation is vital in ensuring that the City’s by-laws, Integrated Development Plan (IDP), policies, budgets are truly democratic. The Council aims to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to comment on matters of public interest when invited to do so. Residents may apply to address their local subcouncil or respond through their ward forums by e-mail, fax or letter or directly to the City’s website. Alternatively, there is also free access to over 600 computers in the City’s 100 local libraries through Smartscape.
In March 2009 the City adopted a
Public Participation Policy which addresses, in detail, the various categories of consultation with the public. Civic and ratepayers organisations are particularly important to the Council as they are the backbone of the Ward Forums in the City’s 105 wards. They are also entitled to consultation on a number of planning issues.
For a copy of the City’s Notification Policy (applicable only to Civic and Ratepayers Associations/Organisations), which is used to determine the required level of public input per local government issue, click
here.