30 Years of Democracy: Civil Society and Social Movements Organising for Change

2024 marks the thirtieth anniversary of democracy in South Africa. The year is a celebration of the first democratic election and the country's transition into a democratic dispensation that carried the promise of a new dawn for all South Africans, especially those who were the victims of an oppressive Apartheid Regime. South Africa's transition filled many with hope for a more equitable South Africa for all despite the many challenges of redress ahead of the government of the day. Amongst the many sites of redress that the new government was going to undertake, some of the biggest would be the building of an inclusive and accessible economy that services all and secures the social rights of citizens through increased access to safe and habitable housing, a public healthcare system providing quality services for all, jobs, and redefined public schools that are resourced and provide quality education for all.

The first fifteen years of democracy yielded some success, and South Africa was a country of possibility and growth. There are some notable moments of shortcomings that defined the country's democracy - some notable moments include the Treatment Action Campaign and the fight for access to ARVs for all South Africans living with HIV. The latter part of the fifteen years, popularly called the "Wasted Years", represent a country where democracy and accountability were challenged by growing corruption, diminishing services and a time when people's governance was no longer a priority.

Throughout South Africa's evolution, Civil Society Organisations and Social Movements have played crucial roles as intermediaries between communities and the government. They have supported citizen-led democratic engagement by ensuring community voices are organised and informing policies and important decisions that change the country's trajectory. They have also supported building accountable and responsive state institutions through their advocacy powers and, at times, protest and litigation. Civil Society and Social Movements form part of the core fabric of South Africa's journey to building a democratic dispensation and hold important lessons for the next 30 years.