Open Data Platforms: A Tool To Revolutionise Governance

[Shola Sholaz]

Having returned from speaking at a conference hosted by the World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on the issue of constituency feedback, I have re- learnt that important lesson: citizens always know better than the government or the market what works for them.
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The question is whether our political elites are prepared to listen. Watching the public debates about our escapades in the Central African Republic to the continuing saga of shame in the Marikana Commission and further shocking examples of continuing police brutality; from the excessive expenditure on consultants and websites to wasteful use of public funds on the homes of elected office bearers to entertainment and security of state officials; we see all too often these genuine grievances of citizens reduced to the neo- liberal forces, a hostile white media and even stranger, counter-revolutionary forces masquerading as NGOs.
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So how should the government respond to what is a growing barrage of criticism, some obviously with deep competing political undertones? The history of the anti-Apartheid movement, led by the ANC and marshalled within the country by COSATU and the UDF, was premised on transparency and openness. I recognised as the COSATU General Secretary that our activities and conversations were been monitored by the security agencies.
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Our protection was making sure that the leaders down to the shop floor were always connected to our national discussions. It fact, it was suicidal for us to make decisions without the support of the grass roots structures. As we came under heavy attack which saw our headquarters and regional offices been bombed by state agencies with thousands of activists been detained, it was imperative for our survival to close any gap between us and our members and supporters.