Peter Martin Strategy, Administration & Training

01/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/189mNz9CtA/

22/02/2026

https://southernmail.co.za/news/2026-02-12-peter-martin-a-community-leader-committed-to-serving-steenberg/

Discover how Peter Martin, through the Steenberg Community Forum, is making a significant impact in his community, transforming lives and fostering a spirit of volunteerism amidst challenges.

18/02/2026

FREE TRAINING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

(1) DO YOU KNOW WHAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS?

(2) DO YOU KNOW HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS STRUCTURED IN TERMS OF MUNICIPALITIES, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, SUBCOUNCILS, WARDS, WARD COMMITTEES AND COMMUNITIES, AND HOW IT ALL FITS TOGETHER?

(3) DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR RIGHTS AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE?

(4) DO YOU KNOW THE DUTIES OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND THE ROLE OF WARD COUNCILLORS?

(5) DO YOU KNOW HOW PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED AS PER THE CONSTITUTION AND LEGISLATION?

If you have answered ”NO” to any one of these questions, then the FREE TRAINING SESSION is for you. This training session, titled, "An Overview of South African Local Government and Public Participation" will be hosted on Saturday, 28 February 2026, at Grassy Park Library (Busy Corner) from 08:30 till 11:45.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, THEN WHATS APP "COMMUNITY TRAINING" TO 062 216 2764 BEFORE FRIDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2026.SEATING IS LIMITED/

Be informed! Be empowered!

06/10/2025

https://southernmail.co.za/news/2025-10-02-do-ward-councillors-in-south-africa-truly-represent-their-communities/

Explore the critical question of whether ward councillors in South Africa are genuinely serving their communities, as recent budget decisions raise serious concerns about accountability and representation.

05/05/2025

AUTHENTIC (GENUINE) AND PSEUDO (FALSE) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Literature on participation identifies authentic (genuine) and pseudo (false) public participation.

AUTHENTIC (GENUINE) PARTICIPATION involves the following:

· ACCURATE INFORMATION SHARING: Authentic participation provides participants, right at the beginning, with accurate information about the participation process and the matter of participation.

· PROPER CONSULTATION: Participants are not only accurately informed but also properly consulted at the beginning.

· MEANINGFUL INPUT: In genuine participation the input of participants is meaningful. That is to say, participants have a real opportunity to influence decisions. They are not been mislead!

· OPEN DIALOGUE: Authentic participation allows for different ideas, perspectives and opinions to be raised, discussed and debated in a rational manner. All comments, inputs, suggestions, recommendations and proposals are fairly and objectively evaluated.

· TRANSPARENCY: Genuine participation is transparent and there is a clearly defined open and accountable decision-making process. There is no secrecy!

· INFLUENCE ON OUTCOMES: Authentic participation reflects the input of public participants.

As can be observed from the aforementioned, authentic public participation is a clearly defined process and not a once off meeting or event.

PSEUDO- PARTICIPATION
Pseudo- participation is a tactic to fool people into thinking and believing that they are “public participating” when they are not. Usually it takes the shape of a once-of--meeting or event where people are merely informed of decisions already taken. No genuine information sharing or consultation has taken place prior to the meeting, and the public were excluded from the decision-making process. Pseudo participation is non-participation which is made to look like public participation.

Pseudo participation occurs because elected and appointed public officials are compelled in terms of the Constitution and legislation to engage in public participation. By creating the illusion of public participation they deceive the public, circumvent the Constitution and law and create legitimacy for their unilateral decisions taken in secret.

Pseudo- participation is about maintaining POWER and CONTROL. Administrative officials and politicians do not want to share decision making power with the public whom they are supposed to serve and represent. By creating the illusion of public participation they remain in control of the allocation of the budget and public resources. In this manner they can promote their political and career interests without being held accountable by the public.

REJECT PSEUDO PARTICIPATION!

Peter Martin
To inform, educate & empower the people!

08/02/2025

FREE TRAINING SESSION

Another community capacity building learning session successfully hosted at Grassy Park Library. An overview of South African local government and public participation: constitutional/ legislative framework. Inform, educate & empower the people for proper public participation.

27/01/2025

FREE TRAINING SESSION

Steenberg Community Forum will host its free community training session titled, "An overview of South African local government and public participation". This training earmarks organisation leaders, activists, ward committee members and persons interested in bringing about community change.

Persons who attend the training will learn how local government is structured (municipalities, municipal councils, sub councils, wards, ward committees and communities) and fits together, the constitutional/ legislative framework for public participation and the rights of community members. This knowledge will empower community members to access the local government system effectively and to exercise their constitutional/ legislative right to proper and meaningful public participation.

The training will take place on Saturday, 8 February 2025 from 09:00- 11:30 at Grassy Park Library, Market Square (Busy Corner), Grassy Park. The training facilitator is Peter Martin who is endorsed by SETA as trainer and assessor. He also holds a masters degree in public administration for his studies in local government and participation.

Any person who is interested in attending the training is welcome to WhatsApp their name and surname followed by the word “training” to 084 697 8619. Candidates can apply for a certificate on completion of the training. For more information contact Peter Martin on 084 697 8619.

06/11/2024

https://www.southernmail.co.za/news/forum-to-hold-local-government-accountable-48ac53c1-737d-4ff5-a17c-b815c817dbe5

The executive committee members of the newly formed United Community Forum, in Pelican Park. Picture: Supplied Councillors, ward committees and sub-council managers who don’t do their jobs are in the crosshairs of a new organisation that has taken root in Pelican Park. The United Community Forum c...

24/10/2024

https://www.southernmail.co.za/opinion/change-to-planning-by-law-threatens-residents-rights-7118514c-cf4f-4c8c-a483-bf04c43a6804

Peter Martin, Retreat In response to deputy mayor Eddie Andrews (“Don’t give your rights away,” Southern Mail, September 25), it is true that any landowner can submit a land-use application for the development of rental flats on their property if the current zoning does not allow it. Still, re...

24/10/2024

https://www.southernmail.co.za/opinion/dont-give-your-rights-away-dd9e5268-a8b4-4c4d-b98c-12298fd7d6eb

PETER MARTIN, RETREAT For those who don’t know, the City of Cape Town administration is proposing a number of amendments to the Municipal Planning By-law (MPBL). These amendments are currently out for public participation (“City proposes changes to planning by-law”, Southern Mail, August 7). O...

25/08/2024

Guest Speaking (background, need and objectives of a United Community Forum) at Pelican Park Residents & Ratepayers Association AGM on Saturday, 24 August 2024.