Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
7 March 2025 | 12:30 CAT
2 min read

Several organisations, including OUTA, the Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG) and OpenUp, have collaborated to launch Parlimeter, an online tool designed to help citizens track parliamentary activities. The initiative aims to provide accessible and transparent insights into the workings of South Africa’s Parliament, allowing users to monitor parliamentary proceedings, MP attendance, and the progress of legislation.

Rachel Fischer from OUTA explained the purpose of Parlimeter, stating, “Every now and then, Parliament comes up with a discussion leading to a bill, and then we wonder what is going on. What Parlimeter seeks to do is provide answers to key questions: Are MPs working? Yes, we can see their activities on Parlimeter. Are they working hard? Yes, the platform allows us to track their engagement. But the third question, are they working meaningfully, is where it becomes tricky.”

Parlimeter functions as an information portal that does not draw conclusions but instead provides data for users to interpret. “It gives you the data and then information from which to make your own observations and conclusions. We are trying to make it as objective as possible,” Fischer said.

The tool is freely accessible to all users, including citizens, parliamentary officials, and researchers. She emphasised that no login is required. “Any user can simply go to the website, www.parlimeter.org.za, and access that information for free. In the future, we also want to make this data available for download as Excel or CSV files so users can gather their own insights,” she added.

Parlimeter gathers its data through PMG, which compiles minutes of parliamentary meetings. “Parliament does not make these minutes easily accessible, so we rely on civil society organisations like PMG to provide this data. Since we share the same developer, OpenUp, Parlimeter is automatically updated as PMG updates its records,” Fischer explained.

Regarding public engagement, she acknowledged that while Parlimeter does not currently allow discussions directly on the platform, it does encourage interaction through social media. “We have developed a Facebook page and will be posting updates on X and LinkedIn. This allows for public discussion and engagement,” she said.

Fischer also highlighted the importance of raising awareness about Parlimeter, particularly among younger audiences. “We have already conducted user testing at four universities—two in Gauteng and two in the Western Cape. Due to funding constraints, our in-person outreach is currently limited to these provinces, but we hope to expand further,” she said.

Fischer stressed the need for public engagement, especially given declining voter turnout. “Every year, voter turnout keeps dropping. If this trend continues, we will have an abysmal turnout in 2029. It is crucial that people stay informed about parliamentary activities, not just during high-profile events, but on a daily basis,” she added.

Parlimeter is still evolving, with plans to make it more accessible for mobile users. She noted that due to the complexity of the data, the platform is best accessed on a computer, but the need for a more mobile-friendly version has been recognised. “As we engage with communities, particularly in rural areas, we will work towards making the platform more user-friendly on cell phones,” she said.

With Parlimeter now live, the organisations behind it hope it will serve as a valuable resource for South Africans seeking to stay informed about parliamentary proceedings and government accountability.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and OUTA’s Rachel Fisher, here.