The recent Makhanda launch of the State Capture and Beyond Campaign (SCAB)
brought together a dynamic group of 54 activists, community leaders, civil society
organisations, and concerned citizens, creating a robust platform for change. This event was a rallying call to address Makhanda’s water scarcity and the wider governance challenges across the Eastern Cape. Through spirited discussions and strategic planning, attendees underscored the urgency of community-driven accountability and the need for transparent management of resources and infrastructure.

Panel Perspectives: Keynote Insights 

The panel discussion, moderated by Rehad Desai of the Human Rights Media Trust, brought together influential voices from the region who each contributed unique perspectives on the water crisis and governance challenges:

• Philip Machanick (Makana Citizens Front): Machanick addressed the local governance issues contributing to Makhanda’s water crisis and shared insights on how communities can advocate for transparency and structural reform.

• Thabang Mhlanga (Rhodes SRC, Activism and Transformation Councillor): Mhlanga highlighted the role of youth in activism and the need for transformative solutions to systemic issues. He underscored the importance of involving younger generations in tackling governance failures that directly impact their future. He highlighted work that had been done by students recently in protesting a lack of reliable water access.

• Sisesakhe Ntlabezo (Makhanda Circle of Unity): Ntlabezo focused on the power of collaborative action among local organisations, stressing that a unified approach is crucial for addressing corruption and securing water access in Makhanda.

• Jay Kruuse (Public Service Accountability Monitor, PSAM): Kruuse emphasised the role of accountability in tackling Makhanda’s water crisis. He shared expertise in monitoring public service delivery—especially in water management—and highlighted the importance of holding government entities accountable to ensure reliable and equitable water access for all. He also highlighted that the existing regulatory framework regulating local government has several key mechanisms for accountability which can be useful in the fight against corruption.

• Azania Soxujwa (Unemployed People’s Movement, UPM): Soxujwa detailed the efforts made by the UPM in providing civic education to communities around Makhanda. He highlighted that civic education can play an important role in ensuring that civic society has knowledge of the different ways in which government can be held accountable. He also highlighted the role the UPM had played in seeking to ensure that local government is held accountable through the courts.