Difference between revisions of "South Africa NGO Sector"
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The nonprofit sector in South Africa has a long [[History of the NGO Sector|history]]. The beginnings of civil society arose during the colonial period with various religious, cultural, and welfarist community-based groups. In addition, the [[Europe]]an colonial powers brought their own organizations with them from the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries (Swilling and Russell 67). | The nonprofit sector in South Africa has a long [[History of the NGO Sector|history]]. The beginnings of civil society arose during the colonial period with various religious, cultural, and welfarist community-based groups. In addition, the [[Europe]]an colonial powers brought their own organizations with them from the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries (Swilling and Russell 67). | ||
| − | During the twentieth century, the nonprofit sector developed further through a corporatist pact between the British elite and Afrikaner middle class (Swilling and Russell 68). Large, formalized non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dealing with health and social services emerged for the exclusive care of the white community. At the same time, grassroots community-based organizations arose in the black community in order to provide basic services. These groups were often survivalist and stood in opposition to segregation and later | + | During the twentieth century, the nonprofit sector developed further through a corporatist pact between the British elite and Afrikaner middle class (Swilling and Russell 68). Large, formalized [[Overview of NGOs|non-governmental organizations (NGOs)]] dealing with health and social services emerged for the exclusive care of the white community. At the same time, grassroots community-based organizations arose in the black community in order to provide basic services. These groups were often survivalist and stood in opposition to segregation and later Apartheid. For the most part, the white-run government tolerated these organizations, except during periods of active political repression like the 1960s. |
| − | In the early 1980s, anti- | + | In the early 1980s, anti-Apartheid civil society organizations grew as a result of President P.W. Botha’s liberalization of the political system. Nonetheless, his reform movement retained repressive elements, and the state-civil society relationship throughout the 1980s remained adversarial, with a hostile legal and financial [[Environmental NGOs|environment]] for NGOs (Habib 675-77). Oppositional social movements spawned by community-based organizations were integral in bringing about the end of Apartheid in 1994. <membersonly> |
With the transition to democracy in the post-apartheid period, South African civil society evolved into three groups: formal NGOs; informal, survivalist community-based organizations (CBOs); and so-called “social movements” (Habib 678-683). Government support for formal NGOs was first enshrined in the 1994 Resource Development Programme spearheaded by President Nelson Mandela. Since then, the government has sought to create an enabling environment for NGOs, first by repealing repressive legislation and opening the door for legitimate protest, and later by introducing a variety of legislation regarding NGO registration and tax benefits, which will be discussed in further detail below. The result has been an increasing partnership between these organizations and the state on policy development, implementation and service delivery, as well as growing criticism of the professionalization and commercialization of NGOs from both within and outside the sector (Habib 679). | With the transition to democracy in the post-apartheid period, South African civil society evolved into three groups: formal NGOs; informal, survivalist community-based organizations (CBOs); and so-called “social movements” (Habib 678-683). Government support for formal NGOs was first enshrined in the 1994 Resource Development Programme spearheaded by President Nelson Mandela. Since then, the government has sought to create an enabling environment for NGOs, first by repealing repressive legislation and opening the door for legitimate protest, and later by introducing a variety of legislation regarding NGO registration and tax benefits, which will be discussed in further detail below. The result has been an increasing partnership between these organizations and the state on policy development, implementation and service delivery, as well as growing criticism of the professionalization and commercialization of NGOs from both within and outside the sector (Habib 679). | ||
Revision as of 09:31, 13 August 2008
Contents
- 1 History of the Nonprofit Sector in South Africa
- 2 Size and scope of the nonprofit sector
- 3 Definitions and legal classifications
- 4 Legal Issues and Regulations on the Formation and Operation of Nonprofits
- 5 State-NGO Relations and the Future of Civil Society in South Africa
- 6 External Links
- 7 References
History of the Nonprofit Sector in South Africa
The nonprofit sector in South Africa has a long history. The beginnings of civil society arose during the colonial period with various religious, cultural, and welfarist community-based groups. In addition, the European colonial powers brought their own organizations with them from the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries (Swilling and Russell 67). During the twentieth century, the nonprofit sector developed further through a corporatist pact between the British elite and Afrikaner middle class (Swilling and Russell 68). Large, formalized non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dealing with health and social services emerged for the exclusive care of the white community. At the same time, grassroots community-based organizations arose in the black community in order to provide basic services. These groups were often survivalist and stood in opposition to segregation and later Apartheid. For the most part, the white-run government tolerated these organizations, except during periods of active political repression like the 1960s.
In the early 1980s, anti-Apartheid civil society organizations grew as a result of President P.W. Botha’s liberalization of the political system. Nonetheless, his reform movement retained repressive elements, and the state-civil society relationship throughout the 1980s remained adversarial, with a hostile legal and financial environment for NGOs (Habib 675-77). Oppositional social movements spawned by community-based organizations were integral in bringing about the end of Apartheid in 1994.
