How can I fix a pothole? Who is my councillor? New platform helps you ‘fix local'

News24

10-07-2025

A new platform called fixlocal has been launched to give residents information on how to fix problems in their neighbourhoods.
It was founded after many community forums were able to effect change in small ways in their areas.
Available online and on WhatsApp, co-founder Mark Heywood says the platform is not trying to reinvent the wheel but empower citizens to know where to go all in one place.
A new platform is bringing the residents closer to those who have the authority to fix issues in their neighbourhoods, by providing people with the information they need.
Called fixlocal, the platform is a 'a one-stop shop' where residents can find and get into contact with relevant authorities, hold them to account, get organised, or learn how to fix problems themselves.
READ | Frustrated Welverdiend residents fix potholes while R59m road budget sits unused
According to co-founder Mark Heywood, the platform is not trying to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it aims to bring authorities closer to citizens and empower communities with knowledge of how local spheres work.
'The end goal is to help us get to the point where our communities are safe, functional, clean, dignified and where local government works in partnership and efficiently with local communities. That's that. That's what it is all about. It is to empower the citizen to make our lives better,' Heywood tells News24.
The platform is accessible online and on WhatsApp – and an app is in development. It has coverage of 18 metros, providing contact details of councillors or departments to which to address specific problems: be it for potholes, water or electricity.
Visit its website www.fixlocal.org.za or write to [e-mail].
For example, you can search the name and contact details of your ward councillor and geo-locate your ward in case you don't know where to look.
According to Heywood, this is the first time the geo-locator and the contact details of councillors can be found in one place.
So why start this?
The idea was sparked in 2024 when the director of Heartlines and fixlocal founder Garth Japhet believed there was a huge amount of local activism that was succeeding in getting problems seen to.
As a result, the platform also hosts a number of success stories, which are updated regularly. As examples of the power of local activism, Heywood points to:
The Johannesburg Crisis Alliance: Concerned citizens got together in June 2023 to try to arrest the growing crisis in many parts of and services in Johannesburg. They still meet four times a year.
Senekal/Matwabeng Community Forum: The forum originated from the need to revitalise the town through active community participation. The forum aims to initiate, develop and implement various projects to restore the town of Senekal.
Parkrun South Africa: This forum makes people aware of the value of parks and public spaces.
'Ultimately, this is not an attempt to circumvent local government,' Heywood says.
'It's an attempt to bring the hot breath of the citizen more closely to the relevant officials and to make them more responsive, but also foster partnership in local communities.'