South Africa’s Polokwane Municipality has joined many African communities on a mission to go digital by 2030.
On January 30, 2025, Mayor Makoro John Mpe unveiled the MyPolokwane Citizen App, a digital platform designed to enhance communication between the municipality and its residents.
This initiative is part of a broader vision to integrate advanced technologies into city management, ultimately improving service delivery and citizen engagement.
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Vision for a Smart City
During the launch, Mayor Mpe emphasised the importance of innovation in driving Polokwane’s transformation. He stated, “This innovation embodies our steadfast dedication to transforming Polokwane into a Smart City by 2030.
My Polokwane Citizen App is not just an application; it is a tool of empowerment, a symbol of progress, and a bridge between the municipality and its people. The app aims to ease residents’ interactions with the local government, report problems, and obtain services.
The need for such innovation stems from Polokwane’s rapid population growth, which has made it one of South Africa’s largest cities.
Municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni highlighted that this growth has put immense pressure on existing infrastructure and services. “We must prioritise innovation and sustainable practices to keep up with these demands,” she noted.
The app will instantly allow residents to report service delivery issues and receive real-time responses, significantly reducing delays and improving efficiency.
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Empowering citizens through technology
The MyPolokwane Citizen App is designed to be user-friendly, enabling residents to interact seamlessly with various municipal departments.
“For years, our citizens have relied on multiple, often fragmented channels to report service delivery issues… This system has proven inefficient,” Mpe explained.
The app promises to change that by consolidating these channels into a single platform where residents can easily communicate their needs.
Thandile Fikeni, CEO of WIB Group, who partnered with the municipality to develop the app, remarked on its potential impact: “We have managed to bridge the communication gap between the Municipality and its citizens”. This partnership underscores a commitment to leveraging data-driven insights for better governance.