Just Access: The Real Transition is a 10-part podcast series from PARI (the Public Affairs Research Institute) exploring what a truly just transition means for South Africa, not only in energy policy, but in access to land, water, power, decision-making and economic opportunity.

Episode 8 asks a practical question, what does accountability look like on the ground?

Building on the previous episode’s focus on co-production, this episode turns to how participation and collaboration can work inside municipalities. Tasneem Essop speaks with researcher Kate Tissington, whose work through the COMPACT partnership focuses on strengthening relationships between communities and local government.

Despite strong policy commitments to participatory democracy, the reality is often very different. In many municipalities, engagement has broken down, trust is low, and accountability mechanisms are weak. Participation frequently happens too late, after decisions have already been made, leading to frustration and, in many cases, protest.

The episode explores practical ways to shift this. Approaches such as citizen-based monitoring and collaborative planning bring together communities, councillors and officials to work on shared problems. Rather than consultation as a formality, these models aim to create ongoing relationships where information flows more openly and responsibility is shared.

At the same time, the episode returns to coal-affected communities in Mpumalanga. Researcher Mahlatse Rampedi describes how, in the absence of clear state leadership, communities are finding their own ways to adapt. From cooperatives to informal economies, people are building resilience and navigating uncertainty with limited support.

Episode 8 makes a clear argument, accountability is not only about systems or policies. It is about relationships. A just transition depends on rebuilding trust between institutions and the people they serve, and on creating spaces where decisions are shaped together, not imposed from above.

Subscribe to follow the full series, and to learn more about PARI and their research, visit www.pari.org.za