Skip to content

The Watcher’s Circle Membership FAQs

1. What is The Watcher’s Circle programme?

The Watcher’s Circle is an annual membership programme launched by Corruption Watch in 2021, that forms part of its public fundraising initiatives. It attracts a group of individuals who are committed to sustaining and advancing our efforts in tackling corruption in South Africa.

2. What areas of Corruption Watch’s work does this programme support?

This programme supports three major areas of our work: our flagship campaigns (e.g. policing, whistle-blowers, health, mining); our analytical anti-corruption activities (e.g. research reports, analysis of corruption patterns and trends, inputs into policies and legislation, or our work promoting open data projects); and our outreach initiatives (e.g. community engagements, workshops or public education materials).

  1. What is the cost of membership? 

We offer four levels of membership ranging from R5 000 to over R100 000 per year. In naming the levels, we opted to use different shades of red, varying in intensity, to identify each donation tier. Corruption Watch’s logo is a colour known as free speech red, and accordingly, we have named each level for various evocative tones of red: the Rose Bud Circle, the Torch Red Circle, the Scarlet Circle, and the Free Speech Red Circle – where Free Speech signifies the highest tier. 

Membership Level Donor Level Name 
1. R5 000 to R19 999 The Rose Bud Circle 
2. R20 000 to R49 999 The Torch Red Circle  
3. R50 000 to R99 999 The Scarlet Circle  
4. R100 000+ The Free Speech Circle  
  1. How can I become a member? 

To join as a member please visit our online portal or make your contribution via EFT. Our banking details are: 

Account holder: Corruption Watch (RF) NPC 
Bank: Standard Bank
Type: Savings account
Account number: 00 483 4747
Branch: 004305 
Branch name: Rosebank 
SWIFT address: SBZA ZA JJ 
Reference: First and last name 

  1. When can I join? 

Any time. However, your membership will expire 12 months from the end of the month in which your membership was processed. Example: If your membership is processed on 1/9/2021, then your membership expires on 31/9/2022. 

  1. What are my obligations once I join? 

Once you become a member, you are under no obligation to take on any other responsibilities. However, we would value your feedback on or participation in some of our initiatives. 

  1. What are the benefits of membership? 

Members of The Watcher’s Circle are privy to updates that we would not ordinarily share with people outside our circle. Each membership level comes with its own perks which are presented to members upon joining the circle. These benefits are our own little inner secret! 

  1. Can I upgrade my membership level midway?  

Absolutely! You are allowed to upgrade to another level any time – we won’t complain! 

  1. Can my company / trust pay for my membership? 

Yes, there are no restrictions for a company or trust to pay for your membership.  

  1. Can I use different entities to contribute towards my membership? 

Unfortunately not. When there are different legal entities involved, it will be somewhat difficult to allocate each contribution made to a designated member.  

  1. Can I purchase membership for someone or recommend them?  

Yes, you can.  

  1. Is my contribution tax deductible? 

Yes, your membership contribution to Corruption Watch is tax deductible. 

  1. I would like to cancel my membership. How do I do this? 

Please send an email to members@corruptionwatch.org.za and we will process your request accordingly. Of course, we would be sad if you were to make that decision, and would find it helpful if you could share your reasons, so that we can improve in the future. You will continue to have access to your benefits for the remainder of the calendar year. However, we cannot reimburse membership fees already paid or parts thereof. 

  1. How do I renew my membership? 

You will receive an email notification before your membership expires together with guidelines on how you can go about renewing your membership.  

  1. What if I need help becoming a member? 

Please email us at members@corrutptionwatch.org.za  or call us at 011 242 3900 and we will walk you through the process. 

  1. Can I have access to other members of the Watcher’s Circle?  
    It is our practice to keep the details of our members confidential, although we may invite members of a particular category of membership to events and briefings in the future, which would provide an opportunity for voluntary exchange and engagement.