A new era of civic participation begins on 11 November 2025, when CityMenderSA launches the KwaZulu-Natal Perception Survey — the first open-data provincial survey in South Africa that allows residents to share their views on service delivery, safety, infrastructure, and environmental management.
The project, created by Durban innovator Keyuren Maharaj, aims to transform how communities across the province connect with government by turning public feedback into transparent, data-driven insights.
“This isn’t just another survey,” said Maharaj, creator of the CityMenderSA app. “It’s a tool for accountability, collaboration, and real change. We wanted to give residents real ownership of data, not just to be participants, but partners in progress.”
The KZN Perception Survey enables residents from Durban, the North Coast, the Midlands, and even remote rural districts to share their experiences and see real-time results through interactive dashboards, graphs, and heatmaps. By combining civic participation with transparent analytics, the project bridges the gap between residents, municipalities, and community organisations.
Maharaj explained that the survey will highlight which areas are thriving, where urgent attention is needed, and what communities value most. “The KZN Perception Survey shows what’s possible when technology and community come together to make governance transparent, accountable, and human again,” he said.
Available in English, isiZulu, and Afrikaans, the survey ensures inclusivity across all communities. Responses are fully anonymous and securely stored, guaranteeing that no personal information is shared publicly or with third parties.
CityMenderSA, the Durban-based civic-tech platform founded by Maharaj, is already recognised for revolutionising fault reporting through its online tool that allows residents to log municipal issues — from potholes and water leaks to faulty streetlights — and track progress publicly. The platform provides municipalities and
councillors with real-time analytics, empowering data-driven decisions and community collaboration.
By launching the KZN Perception Survey, CityMenderSA continues its mission to make governance transparent and participatory. “By making this information public, CityMenderSA ensures that data belongs to the people,” Maharaj said. “It empowers communities and government to collaborate on facts, not assumptions.”
Residents can participate by visiting www.CityMenderSA.co.za or searching “KZN Perception Survey” online. The public dashboard and analytics will officially go live on 11 November 2025, marking a milestone in citizen-driven data and accountability for KwaZulu-Natal.
