Who can help the state deliver effective governance?

Join this online discussion on how society can respond to the gap left by a retreating state.

The notion of South Africa’s ‘disappearing state’ was exemplified in 2021 when Clover closed South Africa’s biggest cheese factory, citing poor service delivery by the Ditsobotla local municipality. 420 jobs were lost, devastating the small town of Lichtenburg. It made visible a state in retreat, in which only 27 of 257 municipalities achieved clean audits. There is an increasing understanding that improving state capability will require increased engagement with non-state societal actors to promote collaboration, restore basic services, hold government accountable and rebuild effective government and governance. The key question is how to do this in practice.

Resources from the event:

Website and e-book: Western Cape Economic Development Partnership “10 years of partnering and collaboration in action”

Website: Press release for the General Annual Meeting of the International Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development (Stellenbosch 2021)

Website: Article on the General Annual Meeting of the International Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development (Stellenbosch 2021)

EFSA e-book “Religion and State – Development Cooperation: A German-South African dialogue on historical and current challenges”. To access a copy of this book, please contact christiaan.endres@kas.de.

Powerpoint slide pack (3 slides): EDP model for improved collaboration between state and non-state actors for improved development outcomes