Join the PHM-SA Bavuse! group to receive
news about our campaigns and activities:
Dial *134*1994*7147# (it’s free)
What is Bavuse?
Who created Bavuse?
Join PHM-SA’s Bavuse! group
What can I do with Bavuse?
What does Bavuse! cost?
How do I use Bavuse?
A. Using Bavuse! with a Cell Phone and Free Dial Codes
B. Using Bavuse! with a Mobile App: Grassroot for Android
C. Using Bavuse! with the Grassroot Website
Download the Bavuse! Instruction Manuals:
Bavuse! Instruction Manual I: How to use a Cell Phone and Free Dial Codes
Bavuse! Instruction Manual II: How to use the Mobile app for Smartphones/Tablets – Grassroot for Android
What is Bavuse?
Bavuse! or Grassroot is a communication tool that anyone in South Africa can use for community self-organising. The aim of Bavuse! is to make it easy for communities and activists to use their cell phones to organise themselves in ways that are free or cheap.
Who created Bavuse?
Bavuse! is developed by Grassroot, a non-profit organisation. PHM-SA is a development partner that assists in testing, training and implementing Bavuse! at community level. At PHM-SA, we call Grassroot’s communication tool Bavuse! and our groups are Bavuse! groups.
Join PHM-SA’s Bavuse! group
If you would like to receive information about PHM-SA’s campaigns, activities and events, please join our Bavuse! group: Dial *134*1994*7147# (it’s free).
What can I do with Bavuse?
On any cell phone, you can use Bavuse! to:
- Create a profile
- Create groups and add members
- Create group organisers
- Call meetings
- Call votes
- Assign tasks to members
- Ask for information
- Ask for volunteers
On the Grassroot website, you can also:
- Send SMS, email and social media broadcasts
- Create campaigns and link to Amandla Awethu petitions
- Monitor group activity, and import and
export membership lists
What does Bavuse! cost?
Bavuse!/Grassroot is currently free for groups of up to 250 members. Every group can send 3 free SMS or USSD messages per month. (Additional capacity and advanced functions like campaigns require a Grassroot Extra account.)
PHM-SA has additional capacity to sign up thousands of members in each of our groups and to send them thousands of messages.
How do I use Bavuse?
You can use Bavuse! in any of these ways:
a) On any cell phone, dial *134*1994# (it’s free)
b) On a smartphone, download the Grassroot for Android app from the Google Play Store
c) Register on the Grassroot website: https://www.grassroot.org.za/
A. Using Bavuse! with a Cell Phone and Free Dial Codes
In this section, we explain how to use Bavuse! with a cell phone and free USSD dial codes. Click here to download the instruction manual.
A.1 How do I create my Bavuse! (Grassroot) profile?
- Dial *134*1994# (it’s free)
- Reply 5 to choose 5. Profile. Then press OK or Send.
- Reply 1 to choose 1. My name. Then press OK or Send.
- Reply by typing your name. Then press OK or Send.
- Return to the main menu and repeat the process to specify your Language, Town and Email.
Note: If the session disconnects before you are done, or if you want to change your details at a later time, just dial *134*1994# again and repeat the process.
A.2 How do I create a group and a group join code?
- Dial *134*1994# (it’s free)
- Reply 4 to choose 4. My groups. Then press OK or Send. (If you are already a member of any groups, you will first see a list of them).
- Reply 1 to choose 1. Create a new group. Then press OK or Send. (Note: The number to create a new group may be different if you are already a member of any groups, because they will be listed first).
- Reply by typing the name of your group. Then press OK or Send. (Hint: Keep the group name short, or it will use up too much text in messages).
- To get an SMS with your group’s join code, reply 3 to choose 3. SMS me join code. (You can give other people your join code if you want them to join your group. Just ask them to dial it on their cell phones).
A.3 How do I add members to my group?
You can add members and organisers to your group: An ordinary member can’t call meetings/votes and they can’t add other members to the group. But an organiser can call meetings/votes and they can add other members.
There are two ways to add members to your group: You can give them your group’s join code to dial. Or you can add new members or organisers yourself:
- Dial *134*1994# (it’s free)
- Reply 4 to choose 4. My groups. Then press OK or Send. (You will now see a list of your groups).
- Type the number of the group you want to pick. Then press OK or Send.
- To add an ordinary member, reply 1 to choose 1. Add someone, then press OK or Send.
Or, to add an organiser, reply 2 to choose 2. Add organizer, then press OK or Send. - Reply by typing the cell number of the person. Then press OK or Send.
- You can add another person’s number, or reply 0 to finish. Then press OK or Send.
Note: You can add members and organisers to a group that you created. But to add members or organisers to someone else’s group, the owner/organiser of that group will first have to assign the necessary permissions to your profile.
A.4 How do I call a meeting?
It’s easy to call a meeting, but you must be the owner/organiser of a group. When people receive your SMS notice, they can RSVP by dialling *134*1994# (free) and you will receive their confirmations by SMS.
- Dial *134*1994# (it’s free).
- Reply 1 to choose 1. Meet. Then press OK or Send.
- Choose a group (or first create one. Then press OK or Send.
- Type the meeting topic. Then press OK or Send.
- Type the place. Then press OK or Send.
- Type the date and time. Then press OK or Send.
- To send the notice, reply 1 to choose 1. Yes. Then press OK or Send.
Note: If the session disconnects while you are busy, just dial *134*1994# again (it’s free).
A.5 How do I call a vote?
- Dial *134*1994# (it’s free)
- Reply 2 to choose 2. My Vote. Then press OK or Send.
- Reply by typing the question/issue that people must vote on. Then press OK or Send. (Hint: Keep it short as you have only about 30 letters and the session may time out).
- Choose your vote options:
Option 1: For Yes and No vote options, reply 1 to choose 1. Just Yes and No. Then press OK or Send.
Option 2: To type your own vote options, reply 2 to choose 2. My own options. Then type each of your options one by one and press OK or Send after every option. When you have added all your options, reply O. Then press OK or Send.
- Choose the Group that must vote: Reply by entering the group’s number. Then press OK or Send.
- Choose when the vote must close: In 5 minutes, an hour, a day, a week, or enter your own date. Then press OK or Send.
- You will see a preview of the vote. If it looks okay, reply 1 to choose 1. Yes, send out.
If you want to change the topic of the vote, reply 2 to choose 2. No, change topic.
If you want to change the date or time of the deadline, reply 3 to choose 3. No, change date or time.
A.6 How do I ask for volunteers?
- Dial *134*1994# (it’s free)
- Reply 3 to choose 3. Act. Then press OK or Send.
- Reply 2 to choose 2. Need volunteers. Then press OK or Send.
- Choose the Group from which you need volunteers: Reply by entering the group’s number. Then press OK or Send.
- Reply by typing the task that you need volunteers for. Then press OK or Send.
(Hint: Keep it short). - Choose the time when you need volunteers: Type 1 if you need them now. Or type another day/time. Then press OK or Send.
- You will see a preview. If the message looks okay to send, reply 1 to choose 1. Yes.
If you want to change the task, reply 2 to choose 2. Change subject.
If you want to change the date or time, reply 3 to choose 3. Change date or time.
A.7 What must I do if the session disconnects?
If the session times out before you are done with a task, just dial *134*1994# again. You will get the option to continue with the task you were busy with.
Join the PHM-SA Bavuse! group:
Dial *134*1994*7147# (it’s free)
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B. Using Bavuse! with a Mobile App: Grassroot for Android
In this section, we explain how to use Bavuse! with the Grassroot for Android Mobile App for Android smartphones and tablets. You need a little data to download and use the app. Click here to download the instruction manual.
B.1 How do I install the Grassroot for Android mobile app?
1. On an Android smartphone/tablet, press the 
icon to open the Google Play Store.
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2. Type ‘Grassroot for Android’ in the Search field and press the Search button.
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3. Select the Grassroot for Android app from the list of apps, then press Install.
Note: You can also find the Grassroot for Android app here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.org.grassroot.android
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B2. How do I create my Bavuse! (Grassroot) profile?
1. On your smartphone/tablet, press the 
icon to open the Grassroot for Android app.
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2. To create your profile, press Register.
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3. Type your name. Then press Next.
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4. Type your cell number. Then press Next. You will receive an SMS with a code.
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5. When you receive the SMS, type the code and press Done.
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6. You can now search for groups to join. Or you can create your own group.
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7. You can change your profile details at any time. Press the Settings button in the top left corner to view the main menu.
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8. To change your name or language, press Profile settings.
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9. You can change the following profile details:
(a) Press Change name if you want to change your display name.
(b) Press Notify me about if you want to choose which notifications you receive.
(c) Press Change SMS language if you want to specify your language.
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B3. How do I create a group and add members?
You can create groups and add members to your own groups. You are the owner and Organiser of every group you create.
Let’s say you want to create a group for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) activists. You want to call the group SRHR and add a few members:
1. On your smartphone/tablet, press the icon to open the Grassroot for Android app.
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2a. If you are not yet a member of any group, you will see options to find groups or start a group. To create your own group, press Start a group.
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2b. If you are already a member of existing groups, you will see a list of them. To create your own group, first press the 
plus button in the bottom right corner of the screen to see a list of tasks.
Then press the 
Create group button.
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3. Type a name and description for your new group.
Hint: Keep the group name short, or it will use up too much text in messages.
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4. To add members to your group, press the plus button.
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5. You can add group members in three ways:
(a) You can select multiple members from the Contacts on your phone.
(b) You can add members manually one at a time by typing their numbers.
(c) You can give people your group’s join code.
To add members from your phone Contacts, press the 
Add from contacts button.
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6. Press Allow to let Grassroot access the contacts on your phone.
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7. Select the contacts you want to add to your group, then press Done.
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8. You will see a list of the new members, then press Save.
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9. To add members manually one at a time by typing their numbers, press the 
Add manually button.
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10. Type the name and number of the person you want to add as group member, then press Add.
Note: You can add members to a group that you created. But to add members to someone else’s group, the owner/Organiser of that group will first have to assign the necessary permissions to your profile.
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B4. How can people join my group using a join code?
Every new group automatically gets its own join code. If you want other people to join your group, you can give them the join code to dial on their phones. It’s free to dial a join code. When they join your group, they will receive messages you send to the group.
For example, PHM-SA’s join code is *134*1994*7147# (it’s free). If you dial this code, you will join PHM-SA’s group, and you will receive our messages.
1. To view your group’s join code, open the Grassroot for Android app. You will see a list of your groups.
2. Each group’s join code appears below its name.
3. If you want someone to join your group, just give them your group’s join code to dial. It’s free!
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B5. How do I add Organisers to my group?
You are the Organiser of all the groups you create. You can also add other Organisers to your group. An Organiser can call meetings and votes, and they can add other members and Organisers. (Ordinary members can’t call meetings/votes and they can’t add other members to the group.)
Let’s say you want to make someone an Organiser of your SRHR group, so that they can send messages to the group:
1. On your smartphone/tablet, press the icon to open the Grassroot for Android app.
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2. Press the SRHR group in the list of groups.
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3. Press the 
Group menu sign.
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4. Press Group settings on the menu.
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5. Press Add another organizer.
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6. Press the name of the person you want to add as Organiser, in this case PHM Coordinator.
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7. Press Confirm to add the person as Organiser.
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8. PHM Coordinator is now also listed as an Organiser.
Note: You can add Organisers to a group that you created. But to add Organisers to someone else’s group, the owner/Organiser of that group will first have to assign the necessary permissions to your profile.
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B6. How do I call a meeting?
It’s easy to call a meeting, but you must be the owner/Organiser of a group. When people receive your SMS notice, they can RSVP by dialling *134*1994# (free) and you will receive their confirmations by SMS. You can also view their RSVPs on your Grassroot app.
Let’s say you want to call a meeting with members of the SRHR group:
1. On your smartphone/tablet, press the icon to open the Grassroot for Android app.
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2. Choose the Group for which you want to call a meeting, in this case, press the SRHR group in the list of groups.
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3. Press the 
plus button to see a list of tasks you can create.
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4. Press New Meeting.
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5. Complete the meeting details:
- Type the topic of the meeting.
- Type the place of the meeting.
- Select the date of the meeting.
- Select the time of the meeting.
- Include an image if you want to (optional).
- Choose to set a reminder one day, half a day or one hour ahead of the meeting. You can also disable all reminders.
- Add a note if you want to (optional).
- Select members who must receive the meeting notice. You can send it to the whole group or select only some members.
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6. When you have completed all the details, press Send to send the meeting notice.
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7. An SMS about the meeting has now been sent to group members. You can now choose to make the meeting Public or Private.
If you press Make Public, other Grassroot users will be able to see the meeting when they search for events.
If you press Keep Private, only invited members will be able to see the meeting details.
In this case, we only want members of the SRHR group to attend, so we choose to keep the meeting private.
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8. You can now choose to share the meeting with others on Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger or another app if you want to.
To share the meeting, press Share, then choose the app you want to use, and select people you want to send the meeting details to.
In this case, we do not want to share the meeting on other apps, so we just press Done.
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9. Group members who receive your SMS about the meeting, can RSVP by dialling *134*1994# (it’s free).
You will receive their RSVPs as SMSs, or you can view their RSVPs on your Grassroot app.
In this case, first select the SRHR group for which you called the meeting, then press the Reproductive Justice meeting from the Events list to see the RSVPs of members.
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B7. How do I call a vote?
You can call a vote if you want your group to make a decision or find out their views on an issue. When people receive your SMS notice, they can vote by dialling *134*1994# (free). When the vote closes, group members will receive an SMS with the voting results. You can also view the voting results on your Grassroot app.
Let’s say you want to find out what SRHR group members think is the most urgent sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR) issue:
1. On your smartphone/tablet, press the icon to open the Grassroot for Android app.
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2. Choose the Group for which you want to call the vote, in this case, press the SRHR group in the list of groups.
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3. Press the plus button to see a list of tasks you can create.
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4. Press New Vote.
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5. Complete the vote details:
- Type the vote question/topic.
- Choose if the answers to your vote must be Yes/No/Abstain.
Or choose to add answers one by one (press Enter after every new answer). - Select the closing date and time when the vote will end.
- Add a note or longer description if you want to.
- Select members who must receive the vote. You can send it to the whole group or select only some members.
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6. When you have completed all the details, press Send to send the vote.
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8. You can now choose to share the vote with others on Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger or another app. To share the vote, press Share, then choose the app you want to use, and select people you want to send the vote to.
In this case, we do not want to share the vote on other apps, so we just press Done.
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9. Group members will receive an SMS about the vote.
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Group members can then vote by dialling: *134*1994# (it’s free).
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10. When the vote closes, group members will receive an SMS with the voting results. You can also view the voting results on your Grassroot app.
In this case, first select the SRHR group for which you called the vote, then press the What’s most urgent SRHR issue? vote in the list. You will now be able to see members’ votes.
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B8. How do I ask for volunteers?
You can call for action or volunteers, or assign tasks to members. When people receive your SMS notice, they can confirm by dialling *134*1994# (free) and you will receive their confirmations by SMS. You can also view their confirmations on your Grassroot app.
Let’s say you want to call for volunteers from the SRHR group to help organise a march to Parliament on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR):
1. On your smartphone/tablet, press the icon to open the Grassroot for Android app.
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2. Choose the Group from which you need volunteers, in this case, press the SRHR group in the list of groups.
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3. You will now see a list of your group’s meetings, votes and actions if you have previously sent out notices.
Press the plus button to see a list of tasks you can create.
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4. To create a request for volunteers, press New Action.
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5. Complete the action details:
- Type the action topic/request.
- Select the date and time by when the action needs to be done.
- Choose to set a reminder one week ahead, one day ahead, or on the day of the meeting. You can also disable all reminders.
- Add a note or longer description if you want to.
- Select members who must receive the action or request. You can send it to the whole group or select only some members.
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6. When you have completed all the details, press Send to send the action or request.
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8. You can now choose to share the action with others on Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger or another app.
To share the action or request, press Share, then choose the app you want to use, and select people you want to send the action to.
In this case, we do not want to share the action on other apps, so we just press Done.
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9. The request for volunteers will now appear in the list of actions, meetings and votes for the SRHR group.
Group members who receive your SMS about the action, can confirm their availability by dialling *134*1994# (it’s free).
You will receive their responses as SMSs, or you can view their responses on your Grassroot app.
In this case, press the Volunteers needed for SRHR protest action in the events list of the SRHR group. You will now be able to see who have volunteered to help organise the SRHR protest march.
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C. Using Bavuse! with the Grassroot Website
In this section, we explain how to use the Grassroot website on a computer, smartphone or tablet. You need data or access to an internet connection to use the website.
The instructions and graphics in this manual show what the website looks like on a computer. The website may look slightly different on a smartphone due to resizing for a smaller screen, but most of the actions will be similar.
How do I create a Bavuse! (Grassroot) profile?
You can register on the Grassroot website to create a free Bavuse!/Grassroot profile. Then you can start using the website to create groups and add members, assign group organisers, call meetings, call votes, assign tasks to members, ask members for information, ask for volunteers, send SMS, email and social media broadcasts, monitor group activity, and import and export membership lists.
1. On a computer/smartphone/tablet, open the Grassroot website: https://www.grassroot.org.za/.
2. Click Register in the top right corner.
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3. Complete your profile details:
- Type your name.
- Type your cell phone number (South African).
- Type your email if you have one.
- Type a password.
- Click the I’m not a robot checkbox.
Note: You can register with a South African cell number, or with your email if you have one, or with both.
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4. Click Sign up to create your free Grassroot account.
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5. On the Grassroot Home Page, you will now see your profile name in the top right corner.
In this case, we have registered a profile for PHM-SA as organisation so that we can communicate with our members. But you can also create a personal profile using your own name.
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6. You can change your Profile at any time.
- To change your display name or other details, first click your profile name.
- Then click My profile.
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7. On the Profile Settings page, you can change your Display Name, Cell Number and Email. You can also add a Profile Image. And you can specify your Province and SMS/USSD Language from the dropdown lists.
Click Save when you are done.
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8. You can also change your Password at any time.
- First click your profile name.
- Then click Change password.
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- Type your old password.
- Provide a new password and confirm it.
- When you are done, click Change password.
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How do I link social media accounts to my profile?
You can link your Social Media accounts (Facebook and Twitter) to your Grassroot account. This will allow you to use the Grassroot website to send posts directly to your Facebook timeline or to a Facebook page you manage, and to send tweets using your Twitter handle.
To link your social media accounts, do the following:
1. Log in to the Grassroot website: https://www.grassroot.org.za/.
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2. In the top right corner, click your profile name.
Then click Integration settings.
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3. On the Integration Settings page, you can now link your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
For example, to link to your Facebook account/page, click + Link new account/page.
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4. Log in to your Facebook account or create a new account.
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5. Click Continue to confirm that you want to link your Facebook account.
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6. Select your Facebook pages (if any) that you would like to link.
- In this case, we click the People’s Health Movement South Africa checkbox to link the PHM-SA Facebook page.
- Then click Next.
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7. Allow Grassroot to manage and publish as your Facebook page(s).
- The Yes options are enabled by default to enable posting from the Grassroot website.
- Then click Done.
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8. Grassroot confirms the successful linking of your Facebook account.
Click Ok to continue.
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9. The Facebook account and page are now linked on the Grassroot website.
To link a Twitter account, click + Link new account and repeat the process.
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*****Work in Progress*****
Join the PHM-SA Bavuse! group to receive
news about our campaigns and activities:
Dial *134*1994*7147# (it’s free)