By Fatima Shabodien, Independent Development Consultant

Introduction

South Africa is globally recognised and revered for its vibrant tradition of organised civil society. It’s useful to remind ourselves that despite our many shortcomings, we are recognised and celebrated as one of the strongest civil society sectors in the region, if not the world. This is not to be taken for granted. It’s a tradition to be proud of and fiercely guarded.

The Role of Civil Society

Our Constitution presupposes a strong, diverse, and vibrant organised civil society as a counterbalance to the power of the state to yield a well-functioning democracy. South Africa has a long tradition as an activist nation…

Even though the anti-apartheid movement is where many trace our activist roots, the reality is that our activist spirit can be traced back even further to the first Khoi San resistance wars and the numerous uprisings of our enslaved ancestors against colonial rule in the 1600s…

Challenges and Resilience

South Africa is now classified as a middle-income country and therefore not seen as a priority for developmental assistance. However, it is also classified as the most unequal country in the world with its wealth concentrated in the hands of a few…

  • In 1998/99, the civil society sector was estimated to be R9.3 billion, or 1.2% of GDP.
  • The work of 1.5 million volunteers at the time was valued at R5.1 billion.
  • In present-day terms, the civil society sector is valued at approximately R40 billion.

Notable Contributions

Beyond its economic contributions, the civil society sector has made significant contributions to shaping post-apartheid democracy. Some key achievements include:

  • Successful campaigns for anti-retrovirals.
  • The Fees Must Fall movement.
  • GBV (#TotalShutdown) campaigns.
  • Palestinian solidarity.
  • Wage determinations for domestic and farm workers.

Internal Challenges

The sector must remain cognisant of its own internal contradictions, including racism, misogyny, and nepotism. Given its mandate for oversight and accountability, the character and composition of its governance structures continue to be its Achilles’ heel.


This article was first published in the 2024 Inyathelo Annual Report.

© 2024 The South African Institute for Advancement