In its annual report for 2015, released today, Corruption Watch (CW) highlights the power of public participation in the fight against corruption, as reflected in the more than 10 000 people who have reported corruption since the organisation’s inception in 2012.The public activism that has been witnessed during 2015, emanating from students, communities and other groups, has similarly been reflected in the response of ordinary people to CW’s call to action by reporting experiences of corruption on our many reporting channels. The nature of the reports received suggest a more informed public better able to understand their own role in taking a stand against corruption.