While negotiations for the Government of National Unity continue, South African civil society organizations are rebranding as the Unmuted Civil Society Coalition of South Africa. They are organizing a four-day launch at the Birchwood Conference Centre from July 2-5, 2024, to strengthen and build a vibrant voice for civil society in South Africa.
This initiative is led by Mr. Boichoko Ditlhake, Civil Society Manager at Kagiso Trust, who has extensive experience working with civil society both at the SADC level and as the former Director of the South African NGO Coalition (SANCOGO).
In June 2022, a virtual brainstorming session revealed that South Africa is facing a deep crisis of leadership. Organizations highlighted issues of funding and a shrinking space for civil society, confirming research previously undertaken by Kagiso Trust.
In response, Mr. Ditlhake began efforts to revitalize civil society in South Africa. A strategic conference was held in late November 2022, with civil society organizations from several provinces in attendance. Coordination was facilitated to support provincial consultations, and provincial leadership was nominated to address regional issues.
In early March 2023, a strategic leadership meeting was held in Rosebank, where sectors and commissions were developed to advance civil society and restore its former strength. The Coordinating Committee aims to revive the vibrancy lost with the decline of SANCOGO. However, many newly formed organizations lack institutional memory, and the inactivity and decline of SANCOGO have diminished civil society’s impact. Reports have also surfaced of NGOs involved in corrupt activities.
The nine years of President Zuma’s administration, marked by corruption, organized crime, gun violence, and gender-based violence, prompted civil society organizations to speak out, particularly in media coverage of Gupta-related corruption. There is concern that if civil society remains silent on these issues—such as service delivery failures and tender corruption—it will undermine its role as a thought leader.
From July 2-5, 2024, communities and civil society organizations will finalize their deliberations and launch the newly formed Unmuted Civil Society Coalition-South Africa at the conference. This initiative is timely, as the Government of National Unity (GNU) seeks to consult and build national priorities with civil society organizations.
The writer is Mashile Phalane, Director of Batlhabine Foundation in Limpopo, convenor of the Unmuted Civil Society Coalition in Limpopo, and a Sarakov Fellow for Human Rights Defenders at the European Union in Brussels.
