The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

With South Africa heading into highly competitive local government elections on 4 November, Ground Work Collective will launch its Protect Our Democracy Independent Election Observer Programme on 5 August 2026, aiming to recruit and train 7,000 citizens to help safeguard the integrity of the vote Protect Our Democracy is one of Ground Work Collective's flagship civic participation initiatives, designed to strengthen electoral integrity by equipping ordinary South Africans with the knowledge and skills to observe elections independently, professionally and impartially.

Using its signature Digital Independent Election Observer Registration Portal, Ground Work Collective is once again calling on registered South Africans to volunteer as independent election observers for the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections. We are inviting patriotic South Africans to take active citizenship one step further by volunteering to observe voting in their own ward, or another ward nearby, helping to protect the integrity of our elections, one of the cornerstones of South Africa's constitutional democracy.

During the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, Ground Work Collective successfully mobilised and deployed more than 3,000 independent election observers across the country. Those observers collected over 7,000 pieces of unique election evidence, enabling the organisation to produce one of South Africa's most comprehensive independent election observation reports, which was shared with both the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the public.

Building on that success, Ground Work Collective aims to recruit, train and deploy 7,000 independent election observers for the 2026 Local Government Elections, which are expected to be among the most closely contested local elections in South Africa's democratic history. Protect Our Democracy is proudly non-partisan.

The programme exists to help ensure that every eligible South African can participate in elections that are free, fair and transparent. Independent election observers play a vital role in strengthening public confidence by observing voting and counting processes and reporting any irregularities through the appropriate legal channels.

Rather than asking South Africans for a long-term commitment, Ground Work Collective asks citizens to give just one day—or even a few hours—of service to their country. Instead of spending election day at a braai or on the beach, thousands of South Africans have chosen to volunteer as independent election observers and after receiving accredited training, they become part of one of the country's largest citizen-led election observation efforts.

The official launch will feature a panel discussion with:

 Mbali Ntuli, Founder and CEO of Ground Work Collective

 Wayne Duvenage, CEO of OUTA

 Moeletsi Mbeki, political economist and author

 Tessa Dooms, Acting Executive Director of Rivonia Circle

Ground Work Collective will also announce a new group of influential South Africans who have partnered with the organisation to encourage citizens across the country to register as independent election observers and participate in protecting South Africa's democracy.

The launch will bring together civil society leaders, democracy advocates, development partners, members of the media and prospective election observers to learn more about the programme and the critical role ordinary citizens can play in strengthening electoral accountability.

Members of the media are invited to attend the launch and engage with Ground Work Collective leadership on the organisation's plans for the 2026 Local Government Elections and its broader mission of cultivating active citizenship through civic education. 

Issued by Ground Work Collective