Another ANC smokescreen to distract from its failings

Civil society organisations have been critical in slowing down South Africa’s plunge into a failed state, failed democracy and failed society. Yet there has been an alarming increase in misguided attacks on them by populists, the uninformed and political leaders who blame the state’s failure to deliver public services on civil society policing of government wrongdoing rather than on government incompetence, corruption and toxic policies.

In South Africa, social media bots, paid “influencers” and trolls are used to spread conspiracy theories, falsely claiming problems like load-shedding, poverty and crime are caused by external forces, “white monopoly capital”, the “Stellenbosch mafia”, “Western imperialist” countries or foreigners.

Now, shockingly, the government has introduced the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, which will subject NGOs to security vetting. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said this is necessary to get South Africa off the greylist on which it was placed due to its ineffectiveness in combating money laundering.

Money laundering is mostly carried out by connected political, business and gang leaders, not civil society organisations which deliver public services, monitor corruption and strengthen democratic rights. The bill will collapse many such organisations, accelerating state failure and further undermining democracy.

Almost all autocratic African governments have introduced similar laws. Prosecuting the politically connected corrupt, as recommended by the Zondo commission, is what is needed. However, there is a lack of political will to do so. Civil society organisations are critical in providing public services when the state does not, oversight when democratic institutions fail and helping citizens during social breakdown.

There are about 150,000 registered civil society organisations in South Africa. The sector makes up almost

Civil society has supported democratic institutions when they are marginalised, corrupted and manipulated by ANC leaders

2.5% of GDP. It employs more than 1.5-million people, just less than 15% of the formal, non-agricultural workforce. Almost 80% of the sector’s employees are black and more than 60% of its leaders and managers are women.

Civil society has defended the constitution, democracy and good governance. It has supported democratic institutions when they are marginalised, corrupted and manipulated by ANC leaders. It has protected vulnerable citizens against abuse and strengthened the state by providing public services when it fails. In a society where many citizens are illiterate and politicians use their ignorance to enrich themselves, cover up corruption or blame colonialism and apartheid for their failures, civil society has educated citizens about their rights. They have been key in identifying government corruption, one of the fundamental reasons for state, societal and policy failure. Without civil society, corruption would have been worse.

Civil society has also fought hard to change sexist, homophobic and racist attitudes. South Africa’s trade unions have ensured the adoption and entrenchment of employee rights and played an instrumental role in securing the adoption of a minimum wage.

In a failing state, especially at local level, civil society organisations are crucial in providing social capital to poor citizens. Social capital’s role is broadly understood as building supportive networks in broken communities, helping citizens access resources, knowledge and information, and building a sense of community when the state has failed, the rule of law has broken down and they have lost trust in formal institutions.

Civil society organisations soak up many volunteers, especially black youth. In doing so, they mould many youngsters towards democracy, social justice and caring for others. This provides a positive outlet for restless energy, strengthens democracy and fosters social cohesion.

Organisations such as Gift of the Givers are increasingly strengthening South Africa’s democratic image abroad by intervening in humanitarian crises. Others, such as the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, Democracy Works Foundation and Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, help resolve conflicts and strengthen African state capacity and democracy.

On the other hand, the South African government increasingly supports authoritarian African regimes which have plunged their countries into chaos.

What we need is for citizens to hold government accountable by using their biggest tool, the vote, to rally against parties that are corrupt, incompetent and uncaring, even if it means supporting those they ordinarily would not. This to hold their favoured parties and leaders accountable and ensure they secure a better life.