Gender studied

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You are entitled to participate in an online survey. The details of the survey are:

University of the Free State

Dr Harlan Cloete

Centre for Gender and Africa Studies

Survey Questionnaire

1.OFFICE USE ONLY

1.1

Question 1.1

Participant Information Statement

You are invited to participate in a research study examining citizens’ perceptions and experiences of local governance, municipal service delivery, democratic accountability, and civic engagement ahead of the 2026 local government elections. The survey will take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, anonymous, and confidential, and you may decline to answer any question or withdraw at any stage without penalty. The information collected will be used solely for academic research and to support improvements in local governance and service delivery.

1.2 I understand and agree

☐ Question 1.2 I understand and agree

2.SECTION A: DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (For classification purposes only)

2.1 Age:

18–24 Question 2.1 Age:

25–34 Question 2.1 Age:

35 + Question 2.1 Age:

2.2 Gender:

Female Question 2.2 Gender:

Male Question 2.2 Gender:

3.SECTION B: KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree | 2 = Disagree | 3 = Neutral | 4 = Agree | 5 = Strongly Agree

3.1 I understand how my local municipality functions

1 I understand how my local municipality functions

2 I understand how my local municipality functions

3 I understand how my local municipality functions

4 I understand how my local municipality functions

5 I understand how my local municipality functions

3.2 I know who my ward councillor is

1 I know who my ward councillor is

2 I know who my ward councillor is

3 I know who my ward councillor is

4 I know who my ward councillor is

5 I know who my ward councillor is

3.3 I understand how to report service delivery issues

1 I understand how to report service delivery issues

2 I understand how to report service delivery issues

3 I understand how to report service delivery issues

4 I understand how to report service delivery issues

5 I understand how to report service delivery issues

3.4 I am aware of public participation opportunities (e.g. IDP meetings).

1 I am aware of public participation opportunities (e.g. IDP meetings).

2 I am aware of public participation opportunities (e.g. IDP meetings).

3 I am aware of public participation opportunities (e.g. IDP meetings).

4 I am aware of public participation opportunities (e.g. IDP meetings).

5 I am aware of public participation opportunities (e.g. IDP meetings).

3.5 I understand how municipal decisions and budgets are made.

1 I understand how municipal decisions and budgets are made.

2 I understand how municipal decisions and budgets are made.

3 I understand how municipal decisions and budgets are made.

4 I understand how municipal decisions and budgets are made.

5 I understand how municipal decisions and budgets are made.

3.6 I know the role of the ward committee

1 I know the role of the ward committee

2 I know the role of the ward committee

3 I know the role of the ward committee

4 I know the role of the ward committee

5 I know the role of the ward committee

4.SECTION C: ATTITUDES TOWARDS LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree | 2 = Disagree | 3 = Neutral | 4 = Agree | 5 = Strongly Agree

4.1 Local government listens to community concerns.

1 Local government listens to community concerns.

2 Local government listens to community concerns.

3 Local government listens to community concerns.

4 Local government listens to community concerns.

5 Local government listens to community concerns.

4.2 Public participation in my municipality is meaningful.

1 Public participation in my municipality is meaningful.

2 Public participation in my municipality is meaningful.

3 Public participation in my municipality is meaningful.

4 Public participation in my municipality is meaningful.

5 Public participation in my municipality is meaningful.

4.3 I trust my municipality to act in the community’s best interest.

1 I trust my municipality to act in the community’s best interest.

2 I trust my municipality to act in the community’s best interest.

3 I trust my municipality to act in the community’s best interest.

4 I trust my municipality to act in the community’s best interest.

5 I trust my municipality to act in the community’s best interest.

4.4 Local elections lead to improvements in service delivery.

1 Local elections lead to improvements in service delivery.

2 Local elections lead to improvements in service delivery.

3 Local elections lead to improvements in service delivery.

4 Local elections lead to improvements in service delivery.

5 Local elections lead to improvements in service delivery.

4.5 Municipal councillors are trusted by community members

1 Municipal councillors are trusted by community members

2 Municipal councillors are trusted by community members

3 Municipal councillors are trusted by community members

4 Municipal councillors are trusted by community members

5 Municipal councillors are trusted by community members

4.6 Municipal decision-making processes are transparent.

1 Municipal decision-making processes are transparent.

2 Municipal decision-making processes are transparent.

3 Municipal decision-making processes are transparent.

4 Municipal decision-making processes are transparent.

5 Municipal decision-making processes are transparent.

5.SECTION D: PRACTICES OF LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree | 2 = Disagree | 3 = Neutral | 4 = Agree | 5 = Strongly Agree

5.1 I actively participate in municipal or ward meetings.

1 I actively participate in municipal or ward meetings.

2 I actively participate in municipal or ward meetings.

3 I actively participate in municipal or ward meetings.

4 I actively participate in municipal or ward meetings.

5 I actively participate in municipal or ward meetings.

5.2 I communicate with municipal officials or my ward councillor when needed.

1 I communicate with municipal officials or my ward councillor when needed.

2 I communicate with municipal officials or my ward councillor when needed.

3 I communicate with municipal officials or my ward councillor when needed.

4 I communicate with municipal officials or my ward councillor when needed.

5 I communicate with municipal officials or my ward councillor when needed.

5.3 I report service delivery problems when they arise.

1 I report service delivery problems when they arise.

2 I report service delivery problems when they arise.

3 I report service delivery problems when they arise.

4 I report service delivery problems when they arise.

5 I report service delivery problems when they arise.

5.4 I follow municipal announcements and public notices.

1 I follow municipal announcements and public notices.

2 I follow municipal announcements and public notices.

3 I follow municipal announcements and public notices.

4 I follow municipal announcements and public notices.

5 I follow municipal announcements and public notices.

5.5 I participate in local elections consistently.

1 I participate in local elections consistently.

2 I participate in local elections consistently.

3 I participate in local elections consistently.

4 I participate in local elections consistently.

5 I participate in local elections consistently.

5.6 I use available platforms (social media, apps, hotlines) to engage the municipality.

1 I use available platforms (social media, apps, hotlines) to engage the municipality.

2 I use available platforms (social media, apps, hotlines) to engage the municipality.

3 I use available platforms (social media, apps, hotlines) to engage the municipality.

4 I use available platforms (social media, apps, hotlines) to engage the municipality.

5 I use available platforms (social media, apps, hotlines) to engage the municipality.

6.SECTION E: EXPERIENCE OF LOCAL DEMOCRACY (SERVICE DELIVERY & ACCOUNTABILITY)

Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree | 2 = Disagree | 3 = Neutral | 4 = Agree | 5 = Strongly Agree

6.1 I am satisfied with overall municipal service delivery.

1 I am satisfied with overall municipal service delivery.

2 I am satisfied with overall municipal service delivery.

3 I am satisfied with overall municipal service delivery.

4 I am satisfied with overall municipal service delivery.

5 I am satisfied with overall municipal service delivery.

6.2 The municipality responds quickly to complaints and service requests

1 The municipality responds quickly to complaints and service requests

2 The municipality responds quickly to complaints and service requests

3 The municipality responds quickly to complaints and service requests

4 The municipality responds quickly to complaints and service requests

5 The municipality responds quickly to complaints and service requests

6.3 Public funds are used in a transparent manner.

1 Public funds are used in a transparent manner.

2 Public funds are used in a transparent manner.

3 Public funds are used in a transparent manner.

4 Public funds are used in a transparent manner.

5 Public funds are used in a transparent manner.

6.4 The municipality communicates effectively with residents.

1 The municipality communicates effectively with residents.

2 The municipality communicates effectively with residents.

3 The municipality communicates effectively with residents.

4 The municipality communicates effectively with residents.

5 The municipality communicates effectively with residents.

6.5 Community input influences municipal planning decisions.

1 Community input influences municipal planning decisions.

2 Community input influences municipal planning decisions.

3 Community input influences municipal planning decisions.

4 Community input influences municipal planning decisions.

5 Community input influences municipal planning decisions.

6.6 Local government officials are accessible to residents.

1 Local government officials are accessible to residents.

2 Local government officials are accessible to residents.

3 Local government officials are accessible to residents.

4 Local government officials are accessible to residents.

5 Local government officials are accessible to residents.

6.7 My community’s needs are reflected in municipal priorities.

1 My community’s needs are reflected in municipal priorities.

2 My community’s needs are reflected in municipal priorities.

3 My community’s needs are reflected in municipal priorities.

4 My community’s needs are reflected in municipal priorities.

5 My community’s needs are reflected in municipal priorities.

6.8 My municipality is open to feedback and suggestions from residents

1 My municipality is open to feedback and suggestions from residents

2 My municipality is open to feedback and suggestions from residents

3 My municipality is open to feedback and suggestions from residents

4 My municipality is open to feedback and suggestions from residents

5 My municipality is open to feedback and suggestions from residents

7.SECTION F: VOTER STATUS AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION

7.1 Are you registered to vote?

Yes Question 7.1 Are you registered to vote?

No Question 7.1 Are you registered to vote?

Not sure Question 7.1 Are you registered to vote?

Please select fewer options (maximum 0 answers possible).

7.2 (If NO in Q7.1) What is the main reason you are NOT registered to vote?

Do not meet eligibility requirements Question 7.2 (If NO in Q7.1) What is the main reason you are NOT registered to vote?

Not interested in politics Question 7.2 (If NO in Q7.1) What is the main reason you are NOT registered to vote?

Don’t’ have information on registration Question 7.2 (If NO in Q7.1) What is the main reason you are NOT registered to vote?

Administrative barriers (e.g. ID/document issues) Question 7.2 (If NO in Q7.1) What is the main reason you are NOT registered to vote?

7.3 If other, please specify:

7.4 (If YES in Q 7.1 How likely are you to vote in the upcoming municipal election?

Very likely Question 7.4 (If YES in Q 7.1 How likely are you to vote in the upcoming municipal election?

Likely Question 7.4 (If YES in Q 7.1 How likely are you to vote in the upcoming municipal election?

Unsure Question 7.4 (If YES in Q 7.1 How likely are you to vote in the upcoming municipal election?

Unlikely Question 7.4 (If YES in Q 7.1 How likely are you to vote in the upcoming municipal election?

Very unlikely Question 7.4 (If YES in Q 7.1 How likely are you to vote in the upcoming municipal election?

8.SECTION G: ACCESS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

Please select fewer options (maximum 0 answers possible).

8.1 How do you access information about local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) Question 8.1 How do you access information about local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Local newspapers Question 8.1 How do you access information about local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Municipal website Question 8.1 How do you access information about local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Ward councillor / ward meetings Question 8.1 How do you access information about local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Friends or family Question 8.1 How do you access information about local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Community radio Question 8.1 How do you access information about local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Television Question 8.1 How do you access information about local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

8.2 If other, please specify:

9.SECTION H: ROLE OF COMMUNITY RADIO IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

9.1 How often do you access local government information through community radio?

Daily Question 9.1 How often do you access local government information through community radio?

Weekly Question 9.1 How often do you access local government information through community radio?

Monthly Question 9.1 How often do you access local government information through community radio?

Rarely Question 9.1 How often do you access local government information through community radio?

Never Question 9.1 How often do you access local government information through community radio?

Please select fewer options (maximum 0 answers possible).

9.2 What do you expect community radio to do in relation to local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Provide accurate news about municipal services Question 9.2 What do you expect community radio to do in relation to local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Provide a platform for political parties to debate local issues Question 9.2 What do you expect community radio to do in relation to local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Host councillors and officials for accountability interviews Question 9.2 What do you expect community radio to do in relation to local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Explain municipal decisions in simple language Question 9.2 What do you expect community radio to do in relation to local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Report service delivery problems Question 9.2 What do you expect community radio to do in relation to local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Provide platforms for community complaints and feedback Question 9.2 What do you expect community radio to do in relation to local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Broadcast council meeting summaries Question 9.2 What do you expect community radio to do in relation to local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

Educate citizens about voting and civic participation Question 9.2 What do you expect community radio to do in relation to local government? (Multiple responses allowed)

9.3 If other, please specify:

Thank you for participating in this study