Community Action Network

26/01/2026

The great myth about civil society is that it is stacked with an army of do-good volunteers in tie-dye shirts willing to go to extraordinary lengths to improve South Africa by Jonathan Erasmus
https://open.substack.com/pub/newsproject/p/what-exactly-is-the-role-of-civil?r=2nty3f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

20/01/2026

While the ANC holds roughly 40% of the national vote, it should no longer control 100% of South Africa’s foreign and economic policy levers.

Parliament must do its job: interrogate foreign policy choices, test economic strategy against real-world outcomes, and force accountability

18/01/2026

One of the great hypocrisies of our government has been its ability - or at least its intent - to portray itself as a moral authority on the global stage, while failing to deliver even the most basic services back home.

Our local government elections will not be won on what a leader thinks about Israel and Gaza.

28/10/2025

Hello everyone, here is some food for thought from CAN founder Jonathan Erasmus.

Bizarrely, in an era where news reports must be short and everyone is pressed for time, time still matters in how we formulate ideas.

21/09/2025

From potholed roads in main centres, to stolen streetlights, stripped power cables, growing heaps of refuse, shacks popping up in spruits, hijacked buildings, vendors on nearly every corner trying to eke out a living, and an ever-growing army of bin pickers, the poverty, social decay, and infrastructural collapse are unlike anything I have seen unfold over such a short period of time. https://open.substack.com/pub/newsproject/p/from-district-9-to-elysium-johannesburgs?r=2nty3f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

02/05/2025

The annual IDP, budget and tariff increase cycle is underway for comment. Did you know less than 6000 people decided on the development plan for the City of Johannesburg last year? To have your say, this session allows you to ask questions to better inform your comment, why comment matters and how to get involved with the projects affecting your service delivery.

Join us for an exciting webinar as we unpack the IDP and explain how you can get involved!

⏰:18:00PM-19:00PM
📆: 07 May 2025

🔗Register here : https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T05yWHeNSy-Dvzt4NWAeMg

14/04/2025

🚨Tired of how your city is run? Your participation in the Municipal Budget can change that.

Learn how you can participate and see actual change being made in your city. Visit https://can.org.za/budget-timeline/

04/04/2025

🚨Your voice matters on how your municipality spends your money!

South Africans, it's time to take action. Your local municipality's draft budget for 2025/26 is open for public comment. These budgets may propose above-inflation rates and tariff increases, placing additional strain on already struggling communities. By law, you can review and comment on these proposals.

🔗Read Full Statement and How You Can Make Change:

CAN empowers South Africans to challenge unfair rate hikes and influence local spending, holding municipalities to account. The Community Action Network (CAN), an initiative of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), is urging South Africans to review their local municipality’s draft budget for...

11/03/2025

🚨 Midvaal Municipality Residents – Your Property Valuation Cycle Has Begun!

Did you know? Municipal property valuations don’t always reflect your home’s true market value, which could mean higher rates than you should be paying! 💸

✅ Check your property valuation now and make sure you're not overpaying.

🔍 Find your property on the valuation roll here: 👉https://can.org.za/projects/gvr2025/midvaal-municipality/

06/03/2025

🚨City of Tshwane, don't be charged unfairly on your property rates!

“The GVR process gives the property owner the opportunity to view the municipality’s valuation of their property, and to determine whether that is a fair value. If not, it gives the property owner the opportunity to challenge any discrepancies to ensure that their rates are just and affordable. There is a limited window for objections. If property owners do not engage, they risk being overcharged for years to come,” said Jonathan Erasmus, Project Manager at CAN.

Read Full Statement Here: https://can.org.za/news/tshwane-residential-property-owners-urged-to-engage-in-their-property-rates-determination/

27/02/2025

🚨Ekurhuleni Municipality Residents, Urgent Action Needed!

The Municipal General Valuation Roll is underway. Every few years, municipalities revalue properties, which impacts how much you pay in rates. Incorrect valuations could mean you’re paying more than you should!

🏠Many properties are overvalued, leading to inflated municipal rates—don't let this happen to you!
🔍Check your property valuation NOW and make sure you're not being overcharged.
Act fast! Visit our resource hub: https://can.org.za/projects/gvr2025/ekurhuleni/

25/02/2025

🚨 Bitou Municipality Residents, Urgent Action Needed! 🚨

Your Municipal Property Valuation is underway, and incorrect valuations could mean you’re paying more than you should! 🚨 Many properties are overvalued, leading to inflated municipal rates—don't let this happen to you!

🔍 Check your property valuation NOW and make sure you're not being overcharged.

🔗 Act fast! Visit our resource hub: https://can.org.za/projects/gvr2025/plett/