‘Civil society is the wellspring of innovation’
Civil society, by definition, transforms societies, but, post-1994, its role, and the partners it is obliged to work with, has changed
At a recent workshop with young leaders from civil society, one of the speakers, Nomvula Dlamini from the Community Development Resource Association, made the point that "civil society is the well-spring of innovation". Civil society not only has an impressive track record of innovating — the very nature of the work demands innovation. During apartheid, a rich and diverse network of NGOs flourished — some small and supported by individual giving, others large and politicised with income streams coming from international charities and solidarity networks. These local organisations not only demanded but drove change in SA, mostly under very difficult circumstances. After 1994 and the country’s first democratic elections, revenue streams dried up as international funding was channeled to the government, and many civil-society leaders moved into positions within government structures. As funds and people moved from civil society into government, an unhealthy relationship began to develo...
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