Posts

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Now or never: time to create real, lasting procurement reform

1 September 2020 Dear President Ramaphosa and Minister Mboweni, We write to you as civil society organisations deeply concerned at the high levels of corruption being committed through our public procurement system. We call on you to take advantage of the current opportunities and show decisive leadership to steer a collaborative process as the draft Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Poor planning a factor in food parcel corruption

By Thato Mahlangu Accountability is in short supply for the widely publicised allegations of food parcel corruption, despite the abundance of videos circulating on social media that seem to indicate the complicity of certain individuals. Since the start of the lockdown, almost three months ago, the economy has nosedived and millions of families have been Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

The poor are hungry as wrangle rages on

• Bags of maize meal being handed out to members of the public in KwaZulu-Natal. Image: Tebogo Letsie/City Press. By Janine ErasmusFirst published by City Press South Africa is still a country of inequality, and the Covid-19 coronavirus-enforced lockdown has intensified the deep divisions in our society. On one hand, there are people stuck in Read more >

OPINIONS

Dear Mr President, let us help keep the vultures at bay

By civil society organisationsFirst published on Daily Maverick Dear President Cyril Ramaphosa  We, the undersigned organisations, commend you for the decisive action taken over the last few weeks in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. We note the efforts of the state in placing the health and wellbeing of people at the forefront of decision-making.  However, Read more >

How civil society has strengthened SA’s democracy

By William Gumede First published on Democracy Works The impact of having a robust civil society in South Africa has played a critical role in creating a vibrant democratic culture and addressing the gap between the state and local communities. This policy brief examines the successes and challenges in furthering engagement, holding public officials accountable Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Civil society must rise to the occasion

Civil society organisations (CSOs) come in many forms, some informal and some formal. The latter include non-governmental organisations, community based organisations, or faith-based organisations, among others. They represent a group of individuals who come together for a common purpose, as in to fulfil a particular mandate driven by need. In a policy brief titled Strengthening Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Civil society freedoms and rights under threat

South Africa is one of a number of countries where civil society is not fully able to enjoy its freedoms and rights. The 2017 CIVICUS State of Civil Society report shows that across the globe, civil society space is under unprecedented levels of threat. “Around the world, it is becoming increasingly dangerous to challenge power, Read more >