Ex-politician Mbali Ntuli launches non-profit Ground Work Collective
Community activist and former Democratic Alliance (DA) member of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, and eThekwini councillor, Mbali Ntuli has launched a non-profit company called the Ground Work Collective (GWC).
On Tuesday, Ntuli held a media briefing at the Rand Club in Johannesburg, where she outlined the initiative's focus areas.
She said after extensive research and engagement with communities, GWC will focus on three main issues affecting South Africans. The issues are food production to tackle food insecurity, especially where it affects children; skill development and entrepreneurship; and democracy and civic participation.
“We believe that by making sure that people are actively organised and educated about their civic rights and responsibilities, beyond voting every five years, that’s how you create political efficacy. For us it’s not enough that people know how to put an ‘X’. What happens after elections?
“How do you hold political parties and players accountable and what can you do as a citizen who is patriotic to make sure that people actually do what they say they were going to do in their manifestos?” she asked.
Ntuli said her organisation aims to bridge the gap between voter education and civic education, which they believe will also improve the low voter turnout during recent elections.
“It’s been shown in research that if people know how to utilise democracy and get some kind of outcome, they are far more willing to be involved in the democratic process of the country.”
The activist announced her departure from politics last year, where she also declared that she has no intentions to join or start a new political party.
Ntuli says there’s no plan to turn #GroundWorkCollective into a political party . She says she’s been invited to join existing parties and approached to start her own: “Being political doesn’t mean we have to be partisan” she earlier said. pic.twitter.com/BrPipj1gS7
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) April 18, 2023
While she’s made it clear she has no intention to turn GWC into a political party, Ntuli’s encouraged the emergence of newer, smaller parties that want to participate in national politics.
This comes as there’s mixed reaction to the launch of new parties, less than 18 months before the general elections.
She said South Africans need to now choose between the status quo, or giving an opportunity to people who may have the right ideas about changing the country.
“I personally have no problem with parties coming up and saying what it is that they stand for. I encourage it and wish that we see more of it. Because the more we see of it, the more we get people to be excited that political competition is a normal part of our society.”
Ntuli’s announced her organisation will unveil its first big public project next week.
ALSO READ:
