About DearSA

Where Data Meets Democracy

At Dear South Africa, we believe that informed citizens make better decisions, and better decisions shape a stronger democracy. As a legally recognised and constitutionally protected public participation platform, we empower South Africans to influence government policies, amendments, and proposals—before they become law.
But we’re more than just a public participation platform.
Dear SA is a visual storytelling and data journalism hub, using clear, engaging, and fact-based visuals to make complex policies, laws, and governance issues accessible to everyone. By combining data-driven insights with public participation, we ensure that every voice is not just heard but understood in context.

Public Participation That Matters
We don’t run petitions. We run legally recognised public participation processes that ensure every individual comment counts—not just as part of a collective, but as a direct submission to government. Unlike petitions, which are often treated as a single document, our method ensures that each submission is recorded, acknowledged, and taken into account by policymakers.
To strengthen accountability, we track and report on participation numbers and trends, producing publicly available reports that serve as a foundation for legal challenges, if necessary.

Making Policy and Data Accessible to All
Democracy thrives on transparency. Our data journalism approach makes it easier than ever to see the bigger picture—whether it's visualising public sentiment on key policies, breaking down legislation in simple terms, or tracking government accountability through data-driven reports.
We help you understand the policies that affect your daily life and provide you with the tools to engage, participate, and make your voice count.

It’s Easy to Participate—And It’s Free
Participation costs nothing and takes only a few minutes. Using our platform, you can:
•    Review proposed policies and legislation
•    See real-time data on how others are responding.
•    Submit your own comment directly to government.
Legal battles after laws have been passed are expensive and rarely successful. Prevention is better than cure. That’s why early public engagement is essential.

Making Data-Driven Insights Accessible
Every day, vast amounts of information are produced, making it harder than ever to cut through the noise. At Dear SA, we transform complex policies, public participation trends, and government decisions into clear, data-driven visuals that are easy to understand.
Our infographics and visual storytelling help highlight the bigger picture—whether it’s breaking down new laws, tracking public opinion, or making government accountability more transparent.
By presenting engaging, fact-based visuals, we empower citizens, policymakers, and businesses to make informed decisions that shape South Africa’s future.

We are DearSA

This isn’t about us. It’s about all of us—working together to ensure that South Africa’s policies reflect the will of the people. It’s about using data to inform democracy and giving citizens the power to shape their future.

 

Together WE can achieve anything.

Support us

Become a Member today and help support us to reach more people