The ParliMeter is a powerful new tool for South Africans to engage with government through real-time parliamentary data. Learn more about OUTA’s role in its development. 

The Parliamentary Oversight Dashboard, known as the ParliMeter, is a ground-breaking tool designed to transform how South Africans engage with government. 

Developed by OUTA in partnership with the Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG) and OpenUp, and co-funded by the European Union (EU), the ParliMeter seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in parliamentary processes by providing real-time data on parliamentary activities.

Still, in its early development phase, the ParliMeter is being shaped by user feedback to ensure it becomes a user-friendly and impactful resource for all stakeholders. The goal? To empower South Africans, especially the youth, to effectively monitor and engage with parliamentary activities.

The need for such a tool became apparent after public perception surveys revealed a significant gap in youth engagement with parliamentary oversight. In response, OUTA and its partners hosted two workshops introducing the ParliMeter to young, politically engaged individuals and gathering their insights for further development.

The first workshop took place on October 2, 2024, at the Future Africa Centre at the University of Pretoria, with 34 participants attending both online and in person. The second was held on October 9, 2024, at the Wits School of Governance, where 50 participants joined in similar formats. Both institutions were selected for their focus on governance and their access to politically active youth—an audience identified as crucial to addressing the engagement gap.

Each workshop featured interactive sessions, panel discussions, and practical demonstrations of the ParliMeter, allowing participants to explore the dashboard’s features first-hand. Feedback was collected through surveys conducted before, during, and after the workshops, providing invaluable insights into participants’ experiences, knowledge, and satisfaction with the tool.

OUTA, PMG, and OpenUp are committed to ensuring that the ParliMeter evolves into a platform that serves the needs of its users, particularly young citizens who play a vital role in strengthening parliamentary oversight. Although these workshops were small in scale, the feedback gathered is essential for refining the dashboard and making it a more accessible, relevant, and impactful tool for future users.

As the ParliMeter continues to develop, it promises to be a powerful resource for citizens eager to hold their government accountable. With ongoing support from the EU and feedback from engaged youth, the project will help pave the way for a more transparent and accountable democracy in South Africa.