Our Programmes
It is through these programme areas that Planact’s work has been geared towards effective and innovative approaches to strengthen the capacity of community members and government role players to engage in participatory development processes, thus improving the quality of life particularly for poor and marginalised people.
Strengthened Grassroots Voice
This programme is set to engage with, and influence actions at national level between communities and government on development planning projects and issues that are of prime concern for underprivileged communities. The aim of the programme is to influence bureaucratic systems through improved participation, specifically at local government and add to policy regulation where necessary at a policy level through knowledgeable facts from executed pilot projects.

Addressing Emalahleni’ s Water Woes
Among the many informal settlements where Planact works are the fifteen settlements in Emalahleni Local Municipality (ELM) in Mpumalanga, where communities have long been concerned about water availability and their water quality. In response, Planact undertook a...

Radio Interview: RatlouFM
Join us LIVE on RatlouFM, a community radio station broadcasting from the Northwest Province. Date: 14 Nov 2024Time:17h00 - 19h00Topic: Service Delivery, Local Government, DevelopmentStream here
![[SEMINAR INVITATION] Participatory Democracy at local government: Where to next?](https://www.planact.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Seminar-2-invite-square-1080x675.png)
[SEMINAR INVITATION] Participatory Democracy at local government: Where to next?
Please join us for a robust discussion that dives into the importance of participatory democracy and its significance in the sphere of local governance. Date - 31 October 2024 Time - 10:00am Venue - Planact, Maths Centre Building, 28 Juta Street, Braamfontein,...
Sub Programmes |
Objectives |
Participatory Budgeting, Performance & Accountability | Participation & Influence in local government development processes. |
Active Citizenship | Shift in power – municipalities provide information willingly to citizens when required, as a practice towards accountability in municipal affairs. |
Responsive Living Environments
This programme is set to engage with, and influence actions at city wide-level with the results correlating and or contributing to the national level and referencing the results to the communities. The aim of this programme is to show evidence of different successful methods of practice in supporting citizens to achieve improvements in the quality of their settlements or neighbourhoods.

Information Session: Small-Scale Rental Projects
Register now to be part of our information session and unlock your potential as a small-scale rental project. Key Topics: Compliance with Industry Regulations & Municipal by-laws. Roles and Responsibilities of key construction bodies. Opportunities for Training...

Opportunity: Researcher on Small-Scale Rentals Sector in Gauteng
Planact seeks to appoint a qualified service provider to conduct an in-depth research study on the small-scale rentals sector in Gauteng. Key Requirements:• Proven experience in policy research and stakeholder engagement.• Strong analytical skills for assessing...

Published Journal Article: Planned stitching, practical suturing: assembling community voices and mobilisation across difference in Johannesburg’s corridors of freedom
Our Senior Programme Coordinator, Mike Makwela, has co-authored an article on the ‘Planned stitching, practical suturing: assembling community voices and mobilisation across difference in Johannesburg’s corridors of freedom.’ Makwela co-authored the article with Dr...
Sub Programmes |
Objectives |
Informal Settlement Upgrade | • Incremental settlement development is recognised and widely used. • Strong coherence among communities’ approach to urban land acquisition to reach security of tenure. |
Inclusive Inner Cities | • Understand and support diverse needs to create strong livelihoods within urban areas. • Access of vulnerable communities to all available opportunities. |
Sustainable Livelihood Initiatives
This programme seeks to link marginalised communities to local
economic opportunities and processes within government development programmes and private and public initiatives in efforts to promote equitable resource and opportunity distribution. Successful improvement at this level demonstrates the efficiency and success of policy and practice.

Support Recycling in Thembelihle
Every week we showcase a community that is doing well in their sustainable livelihood initiative by posting under #LocalityFriday on our online media. This week, we are excited to showcase our Social Employment Fund eco-warriors in Thembelihle informal settlement. The...

Towards Zero Hunger in Jumpers
No land? No problem is the motto in Jumpers Informal Settlement, one of our Social Employment Fund localities in the City of Johannesburg. The Food Security team in Jumpers is not letting the barriers of access to land stop them from recycling old materials to grow...

Impact Story: How the Safety and Security Team Stepped Up to Protect a Community Lifeline
In the informal settlement of Skoonplaas, located in the City of Ekurhuleni, life is shaped by daily struggles and limited resources. However, a small but impactful group of individuals has emerged as champions of security and community well-being. This group - the...
Sub Programmes |
Objectives |
Community-Based Organisational Development |
• Confident and respected negotiations with external support (ability to tap into available government programmes and private partnership ventures). |
Livelihood Improvement | • Community groups have access to resources that ensure sustainable economic, environmental and social improvement of their livelihoods. • Ability to determine path for self-sufficiency and reliance. |