An examination of the extent of participation by non-governmental organisations (NGO's) in the legislative process of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature

Abstract

This study entails an examination of the extent of participation by non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) in the legislative process of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature (KZN legislature). It aims to explore how far these NGO’s have taken advantage of the new South African policy based on transparency, openness and accountability. It is hypothesized that organised groups such as these have been very involved in government decision-making processes, since the start of the new democratic South Africa in 1994. This study, however, proves that there is minimal public participation and especially NGO participation in the KZN Legislature in particular and in government in general. It further uncovers various problems experienced by these NGO’s in trying to participate in the legislative process. The legislature’s inaccessibility was seen as one of the major inhibiting factors. Apathy and lack of interest in the legislative process were also identified as a problem amongst these NGO’s. This study has raised many issues that both the NGO sector and the KZN Legislature itself have to address in order that our newly founded democracy can be truly nurtured. This study is divided into two parts. The first part explores literature on democracy, that enables the policy making process and civil society to help give a clear indication on what various authors think should be the input of civil society in the policy making process of any democratic country. The second part looks at the South African situation and the findings of this study.