An Initiative to Enhance Public Services: ‘Have Your Say’

4 mins read
customer service public services

The ‘Have Your Say’ initiative in Cape Town is a physical survey method implemented in 35 city facilities to capture residents’ first-hand experiences regarding the city’s service delivery. This traditional approach ensures inclusivity for residents who have restricted access to digital devices, and suggestions are methodically recorded and addressed for continuous enhancement of services and facilities. The initiative exemplifies the city’s commitment to ameliorating public services in tune with the needs and aspirations of its citizens. The ‘Have Your Say’ feedback boxes are conveniently located in a variety of venues to ensure accessibility for all residents.

What is the ‘Have Your Say’ initiative in Cape Town?

The ‘Have Your Say’ initiative is a physical survey method implemented in 35 city facilities in Cape Town to capture residents’ first-hand experiences regarding the city’s service delivery. This traditional approach ensures inclusivity for residents who have restricted access to digital devices, and suggestions are methodically recorded and addressed by the facility management team for continuous enhancement of services and facilities. The initiative exemplifies the city’s commitment to ameliorating public services in tune with the needs and aspirations of its citizens.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Alderman Theresa Uys, the creative force behind this initiative and the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, has underscored the significance of the survey. She firmly believes that the ‘Have Your Say’ boxes, present in 35 distinct city facilities, are a potent mechanism for capturing residents’ first-hand experiences regarding the city’s service delivery.

Methodology: Physical Surveys over Digital

The choice to favour physical survey boxes over online forms was a mindful decision, taking into account the city’s demographic makeup. The City’s Facility Management Department found that most of the patrons at these facilities favour direct interaction with skilled staff and prefer filling in the survey manually. This preference is predominantly due to restricted access to digital devices amongst these individuals. Consequently, the traditional approach to garnering feedback was deemed the most effective and inclusive method.

The Facility Management Department ensures methodical recording of feedback from the survey boxes every week. Suggestions that both identify areas of concern and recommend improvements are swiftly relayed to the team managing the specific facility. This systematic approach guarantees that issues are directly confronted, fostering a continuous enhancement of services and facilities.

Impact and Effectiveness of ‘Have Your Say’

Alderman Uys expresses contentment with the survey’s effectiveness in recognizing and addressing the challenges experienced by residents during their interactions with city staff. She believes the survey provides an ongoing avenue to improve the public’s experiences at the city’s facilities.

The ‘Have Your Say’ feedback boxes are conveniently located in a variety of venues to ensure accessibility for all residents. The boxes can be found at the Pinelands Municipal Building, Pienaar Road Municipal Building, Milnerton Municipal Offices, Sub council 1 offices in Atlantis, Wesfleur Municipal Building, Royal Ascot Municipal Building, Langa Municipal Building, Mfuleni Municipal Building, Macassar Municipal Building, Khayelitsha Metro Police building, Brackenfell Municipal Building, among many others.

On a recent visit to the Wesfleur Municipal Building in Atlantis, Alderman Uys evaluated the facility’s condition and gathered feedback from the residents. This direct engagement from city officials signifies the city’s dedication to understanding the needs of its residents and improving customer facilities.

Commitment to Enhanced Customer Service

The ‘Have Your Say’ initiative marks a crucial development in the City of Cape Town’s mission to elevate its customer services. It exemplifies the city’s understanding of the power of residents’ feedback in achieving superior service delivery. By offering an accessible and efficient platform for residents to express their experiences and suggestions, the city reinforces its commitment to ameliorating public services in tune with the needs and aspirations of its citizens.

How is the ‘Have Your Say’ initiative different from other feedback mechanisms?

The ‘Have Your Say’ initiative is a physical survey method implemented in 35 city facilities in Cape Town to capture residents’ first-hand experiences regarding the city’s service delivery. This traditional approach ensures inclusivity for residents who have restricted access to digital devices, and suggestions are methodically recorded and addressed by the facility management team for continuous enhancement of services and facilities.

Why was physical survey chosen over digital forms?

The City’s Facility Management Department found that most of the patrons at these facilities favour direct interaction with skilled staff and prefer filling in the survey manually. This preference is predominantly due to restricted access to digital devices amongst these individuals. Consequently, the traditional approach to garnering feedback was deemed the most effective and inclusive method.

How is the feedback collected and addressed?

The Facility Management Department ensures methodical recording of feedback from the survey boxes every week. Suggestions that both identify areas of concern and recommend improvements are swiftly relayed to the team managing the specific facility. This systematic approach guarantees that issues are directly confronted, fostering a continuous enhancement of services and facilities.

How effective is the survey in addressing challenges experienced by residents?

Alderman Theresa Uys, the creative force behind this initiative and the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, expresses contentment with the survey’s effectiveness in recognizing and addressing the challenges experienced by residents during their interactions with city staff. She believes the survey provides an ongoing avenue to improve the public’s experiences at the city’s facilities.

Where can residents find the ‘Have Your Say’ feedback boxes?

The ‘Have Your Say’ feedback boxes are conveniently located in a variety of venues to ensure accessibility for all residents. The boxes can be found at the Pinelands Municipal Building, Pienaar Road Municipal Building, Milnerton Municipal Offices, Sub council 1 offices in Atlantis, Wesfleur Municipal Building, Royal Ascot Municipal Building, Langa Municipal Building, Mfuleni Municipal Building, Macassar Municipal Building, Khayelitsha Metro Police building, Brackenfell Municipal Building, among many others.

What does the ‘Have Your Say’ initiative signify for the City of Cape Town?

The ‘Have Your Say’ initiative marks a crucial development in the City of Cape Town’s mission to elevate its customer services. It exemplifies the city’s understanding of the power of residents’ feedback in achieving superior service delivery. By offering an accessible and efficient platform for residents to express their experiences and suggestions, the city reinforces its commitment to ameliorating public services in tune with the needs and aspirations of its citizens.

Previous Story

A New Wave of Transparency in South Africa’s Sport, Arts, and Culture Sector

Next Story

Embracing the Deluge: Cape Town’s Success in Water Security Amidst Climate Change

Latest from Blog

Forging a Path to Enhanced Executive Oversight

South Africa is making big changes to keep a close eye on its top leaders! They made a new special committee in their parliament to watch the President. This committee will make sure the President and their office are doing things right and spending money wisely. They looked at how other countries do this to learn the best ways. This means more openness and trust, making sure everyone in power is held accountable to the people.

Cape Town’s Unmissable Weekend of Sporting Action

Cape Town is bursting with sports action from December 5th to 7th, 2025! You can cheer for the Proteas Women’s cricket team at Newlands against Ireland. Then, get ready for super exciting rugby sevens at DHL Stadium with the SVNS Cape Town tournament. And don’t miss Cape Town City FC playing football at Athlone Stadium. It’s a weekend full of thrills and fun for everyone!

South Africa Shines on the Global Cheese Stage

South African cheesemakers dazzled at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Switzerland! They won many shiny medals, including two top Super Gold awards for Klein River Cheese’s Babylonstoren Parmesan and Dalewood Fromage’s Boland cheese. Nellie Fischer was even named the Best Female Cheesemaker. This big win makes South Africa super proud and shows their amazing cheese is now famous all over the world!

Renewing the Mozambique-South Africa Partnership: Highlights from the 4th Bi-National Commission

Mozambique and South Africa just held their 4th big meeting, the BiNational Commission, in Maputo. Their leaders, Presidents Ramaphosa and Chapo, met to make their countries even closer friends. They talked about important things like making their economies stronger, keeping everyone safe, and helping people thrive. This meeting helps them work together on many projects, from big gas plants to fighting sickness, making life better for everyone in both countries.

Deepening South Africa-Mozambique Ties: Progress and Prospects from the Fourth Bi-National Commission

South Africa and Mozambique are like old friends, working together to make things better. They talk a lot about how to help each other, especially with money, jobs, and safety. They remember their shared past of fighting for freedom, which makes their bond super strong. Now, they’re building roads, sharing power, and helping each other stay healthy and safe. This teamwork helps both countries grow and makes the whole neighborhood stronger.