Research & Media

How I Took Back My Power

In this experiential memoir, Nompumelelo explores the tension between personal agency, socialisation as well as societal, religious and familial expectations. She employs psychological and sociological insights, as well as creative writing tools, to frame and unpack her personal experience of grappling with generational patterns and trauma and how these have shaped her world view, and thereby constrain the self. She demonstrates the complexity of battling through the burden of structural constraints such as abuse and trauma, to exercise her agency in the endeavour to self-actualise and find meaning and purpose, for her own benefit and that of those around her.

Seeking the Ethical Foundations of the South African Nation

Chapter: "Whither the Social Compact: When politics of the stomach overshadows a vision for an ethical public service"

The chapter elucidates how the quest to transform the public service through the policy of cadre deployment amongst other approaches, was both a necessity and curse for South Africa's burgeoning democratic state. The policy which was meant for the public service to more broadly reflect society and deliver in the people's interests has also been employed in the construction of an elaborate patronage network with adverse results.

Electoral Systems and Accountability

This research report is based on a seven-country comparative study spanning three continents, seeking to answer the following question: Is there an electoral system that can guarantee meaningful accountability from governments and public representatives? It explores the caveats and implications of these findings from these countries for South Africa. Nompumelelo served as lead researcher and writer for this project and report.

Institutionalising Democracy: The Story of the Electoral Commission of South Africa

Chapter: "Widening Access and Enabling Franchise"

This chapter traces the IEC's (Electoral Commission of South Africa) efforts to make the right to vote a tangible reality for eligible voters. It details successes, challenges as well as prospects for the enfranchisement of South African voters.

The Democratic Opportunity: Does South Africa Need Electoral Reform?

This book reviews the democratic progress over the last 20 years. Weakening government capacity, corruption, poor service delivery and instability and violence in communities across the country have become hallmarks. If the problem is bad leaders, will changing the way we elect them make a difference? Nompumelelo argues that in order to restore good governance and ensure accountability from the country's leaders, democratic institutions must be defended and respect for them promoted. This requires citizens that demand accountability and that critically evaluate the quality and performance of public officials.