An article in the June 26, 2006 Mail&Guardian Online discusses the problems facing NGO in South Africa today. The article may be found at the following site:
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=275446&area=/insight/monitor/
This article by Marina Penderis discusses the changing role of NGOs that no longer have to fight apartheid, but still seek to remain vocal as civil society activist.
Penderis quotes one activitst as saying: "Government doesn't want NGOs which advise, only NGOs which do things like feeding Aids orphans."
The pressures experienced by these organizations are also discussed. For example U.S. dollars for NGOs in Africa often come with strings attached that require to take positions against birth control or to pledge to fight terrorism.
Concerns over the loss of independence of these organizations is of real concern for their leaders.
The elimination of apartheid has also led to a reduction of funds available for NGOs in South Africa. According to one NGO staffer: “a lot of funding [that would have been directed to them in the past] is now directed to the new, democratic government".
The article in its entirety may be read at:
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=275446&area=/insight/monitor/
No comments:
Post a Comment