Motlanthe praises civil society’s role in holding govt accountable

Former president Kgalema Motlanthe has encouraged civil society to be robust in holding government accountable to influence policy direction in the interests of the marginalised.

He further lashed out at how South Africa’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework was designed to speak to the demands of the rating agencies rather than address local needs such as unemployment.

This approach, Motlanthe said, has forced the country to operate on the basis of austerity measures that adversely affected aspects of the economy and social life.

Motlanthe, who was a keynote speaker yesterday on the first day of the two-day African Civil Society Conference at the University of Johannesburg, said a robust democracy required a robust civil society to protect the interests of the most vulnerable.

Motlanthe addressed the triangular relationship between civil society, government and business.

Motlanthe said civil society as the third sector had the ability to be an independent representative of the people and “a critical conscience of communities”.

He mentioned the historical example of the Treatment Action Campaign for the role it played in strategic Aids policy and treat Former president Kgalema Motlanthe has encouraged civil society to be robust in holding government accountable to influence policy direction in the interests of the marginalised.

He further lashed out at how South Africa’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework was designed to speak to the demands of the rating agencies rather than address local needs such as unemployment.

This approach, Motlanthe said, has forced the country to operate on the basis of austerity measures that adversely affected aspects of the economy and social life.

Motlanthe, who was a keynote speaker yesterday on the first day of the two-day African Civil Society Conference at the University of Johannesburg, said a robust democracy required a robust civil society to protect the interests of the most vulnerable.

Motlanthe addressed the triangular relationship between civil society, government and business.Motlanthe said civil society as the third sector had the ability to be an independent representative of the people and “a critical conscience of communities”.

He mentioned the historical example of the Treatment Action Campaign for the role it played in strategic Aids policy and treat