by Nicolette Naylor & Rutendo Chandiwana, Ford Foundation The term ‘shrinking space’ within civil society has become common phrases for the development community as we navigate what has become the new normal amidst the ever-increasing rise in inequality, authoritarianism and a move to much more polarized and insular societies around the world. Some authors point... Continue Reading →
by Sungu Oyoo African Liberation Day - the apex organizing moment for the Pan-African movement - is commemorated annually on 25 May to celebrate our determination as the people of Africa to free ourselves from foreign domination and exploitation. This year marked the 55th African Liberation Day since 1963 when representatives of 32 independent African... Continue Reading →
by Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, Executive Director, West Africa Civil Society Institute West Africa has a vibrant civil society. From the colonial era through the nationalist period, and the era of military dictatorship and authoritarianism, to the 1990s when the wave of democracy swept through West Africa, to the current milieu of social movements and uprisings;... Continue Reading →
by David Kode, Advocacy and Campaigns Lead, CIVICUS The introduction of multi-party politics in most African countries in the 1990s led to a blossoming of civil society organisations focusing on different issues affecting the lives of citizens. However, the growth and development of civil society in most African countries, particularly those who work on issues... Continue Reading →
by Nomvula Dlamini, Director, Community Development Resource Association (CDRA) In the South African context, any debate or discussion of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) needs to take into consideration that they form a small part of broader civil society. Similar to broader civil society, NGOs have been shaped by various influences – from the roles they have... Continue Reading →
by William Gumede, Executive Chairperson, Democracy Works Foundation South Africa’s civil society organisations have increasingly become the last line of defense fighting on behalf of ordinary citizens against out-of-control corruption, public service delivery failure and abuse of power by elected and public representatives. The collapse of apartheid was a success story of global and local... Continue Reading →
by Irũngũ Houghton, Executive Director, Amnesty International Kenya Three incidents in January brought Amnesty International’s 400-page, 159 country report home for me and my work as an NGO leader. The first was parents Lancer Achieng and Joseph Abanja bravely appearing in a Kisumu court to demand justice for baby Pendo after she was crushed to... Continue Reading →
by Nazli Abrahams, Programme Director, Inyathelo The post-apartheid years, which saw the growth of civil society organisations funded primarily by foreign donors, have given way to an NPO sector that has to look inward to grow and sustain itself. The opportunity to build a democracy founded on what many have called the most inclusive and... Continue Reading →
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