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Methods of Lobbying

The following is a summary of methods you can use for lobbying:

Social MediaEven before you engage in lobbying it is critical to mobilise support for your position or issue. With modern technology, support can happen via social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, though it is important to have a local core group engaging with decision makers.
MeetingsAsk if you can have a face-to-face meeting to present your case. Visit the person in their office or invite them to attend a meeting in the community. Always state clearly why the meeting is important and give them an agenda and a list of possible outcomes from the meeting. Remember, to say what is in it for the decision-maker, for example, “This meeting will provide you with the opportunity to make direct contact with more than 100 people from the community and to hear their concerns on the issue”, or “We will publish your response on our Facebook page where we reach 15 000 people from this city.”
Write LettersLetters, emails and SMS messages are the easiest method to use to lobby but they are not always the most effective. Many people in positions of power have administrative staff who read their mail and SMS messages and summarise them for them. It is always advisable to call a meeting with decision makers, after writing these letters.
It is important that the different activities around an issue are coordinated to make sure they have the greatest impact. So, for example, civil society organisations worked together on the Right to Know Campaign from 2011 to 2014 to raise concerns about the Protection of Information Bill. They used inside and outside lobbying, campaigning and petitioning, to delay the passing of this bill. Their work helped to improve the law and address strong concerns from various civil society organisations and the media.
Ask for an On-Site Inspection or Surprise VisitInvite decision-makers to come and make on-site inspections if appropriate. For example, get the person to come and look at the condition of a school. Committees of parliament have scheduled site visits that can be used to arrange engagements with affected communities or organisations.
Elected officials and municipal officials are the closest to people. Visits and meetings can be arranged more easily with this sphere of government. For example, to invite an official or councillor to explain the budget to a ward committee or organised group in your area.
Informal TalksTalk informally to committee members and decision-makers during tea breaks, etc. Introduce yourself and share your opinions.
Private MeetingsOrganise meetings with national and provincial ministers, or mayors and their advisors, and local councillors to explain your position.
Public MeetingsAttend and observe parliamentary committee debates/local council meetings.
PetitionsPetitions can be used to show how much popular support your issue has. You can use a petition to get as many signatures as possible from people in the community or you can get a smaller number of key individuals or organisations to sign a petition in support of your submission.
Public HearingsWhen a bill is tabled in parliament, public hearings are often held where the public can make their submissions to the parliamentary committee dealing with the issue. This is a key moment to get the policy or law changed.
Phone Calls, SMSes, Faxe & EmailsGet as many people as possible to telephone the decision-maker. Also use sms, faxes and e-mail, if possible. Try and get influential and well-known people to telephone. If you cannot speak to the decision-maker, leave a clear message, for example, “We are phoning to object to the council closing the local health clinics”.
Use the MediaUse radio, newspapers and TV to spread the word and get publicity for your story. It always helps to make individual contact with a reporter who is prepared to follow the issue through.
Make SubmissionsIf formal submissions to committees are unsuccessful, you can also make the submission via an influential member, such as a parliamentary member or a member of a local council committee. You can make a submission to draw attention to an issue or to try and influence the policy and law-making process.
Use the Legal SystemTake a case to court or to one of the human rights commissions set up under the Constitution to investigate claims of human rights abuses. This is usually the last resort, when all avenues of lobbying have failed , and where there has been a failure to address an issue for a long period, or where drastic intervention is needed. This is called public interest litigation.

This example shows the lobbying role played by an NGO or civil society network during the process of amending The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act.

February 2007Women’s health activists come together and develop a draft abortion policy proposal which is submitted to the Department of Health and the ad hoc Select Committee on Abortion
August 2007NgOs mobilise the media and make their own submissions to the public hearings.
NgOs mobilise public opinion by running community workshops on abortion reform.
NgOs form an alliance
March 2008The alliance of NgOs lobbies parliament through the distribution of pamphlets to parliamentarians and decision-makers and gives evidence to parliament in favour of abortion reform.
May 2008Alliance collects data from focus groups to assess community opinion on The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act. Research helps in providing improved abortion access for women.
July 2008Parliamentary hearing on implementation of the Act; Alliance mobilises support from other organisations to give input for the hearing