The State of Civil Society in South Africa
Channel: SACSIS
Date: 2013-11-04

Civil society is considered to be an important stakeholder in any country that seeks to deepen its democracy. Defined as operating outside of the state and of the market, it is often referred to as the third sector.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) are varied in their character and in their purpose. But there is a common thread that holds them together, which is that CSOs exist in public life to promote public good. In fact, the strength of a country's civil society is often used as a measure to determine the strength of a country's democracy.

As South Africa approaches the anniversary of its second decade as a democracy, Fazila Farouk of SACSIS talks to veteran of the sector in South Africa, Piroshaw Camay, about the scope and state of civil society in South Africa.

For a transcript of this interview please visit the SACSIS website at http://sacsis.co.za/site/article/1831.