South Africa’s democracy is in the grip of profound structural change driven by fragmented representation, declining public trust, electoral reform debates (largely in response to the former), and coalition government. Recent democratic reforms, including the three-ballot system and expanded space for independent candidates, represent important progress but fall short of addressing the deeper roots of public dissatisfaction with democratic performance.
Civil society has played an ongoing, substantial role in shaping South Africa’s democracy and, most recently, the electoral reform agenda. Despite this, civil society is often framed as a stakeholder to be engaged only in a consultative capacity. Framing civil society in this light risks overlooking its significance as a source of strategic direction and democratic instruction.
This conference brings together civil society, academia and researchers to engage on critical questions around democracy, civil society, governance, and electoral reform. Rather than positioning academia and think tanks as primary arbiters of democratic reform, this conference will deliberately centre civil society experience, knowledge, and leadership. SAIIA’s role is that of convenor and facilitator; the intellectual direction of the conference is intended to emerge from civil society participants themselves. Academics and think tank researchers are included in reflective and supporting roles, contributing contextual analysis and evidence where it advances civil society-led deliberation.
Thanks for your participation.
