The changing role of non-state actors’ relations in post apartheid South Africa: a case study of two Eastern Cape non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

Abstract

This study focused on the changing role of non-state actors’ political relations in post-apartheid South Africa. During the apartheid period, NGOs were considered to be pushing a people-centered agenda, but the transition to the post-apartheid era made the role of NGOs complex and debatable as they are now viewed as organisations that work hand in hand with the government. A qualitative research design was implemented to conduct the study, in particular, individual interviews. The respondents included local households, community leaders and NGO representatives. The selected NGOs which participated were World Vision, Africare, Phumalanga and Victim Support Center (VSC). This research was conducted in Nkonkobe Municipality, in the communities of Alice, Middledrift and Seymour. The major finding of the study is that the political role of the NGOs has changed. Whilst in the apartheid period the NGOs openly opposed the state, in the post-apartheid period NGOs find themselves providing development services to the state. In other words, in the post-apartheid period NGOs tend to co-operate with the state by acting as service providers for a variety of development related functions. This condition raises questions about the autonomy of the NGOs and the agenda they serve in the post-apartheid period.