Browsing by Subject "Civil society"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Open Access
    A critical analysis of civil society's engagement in South Africa's just energy transition: dynamics and debates
    (2025) Ramasesane, Lerato; Camerer, Marianne
    South Africa is currently undergoing a Just Energy Transition (JET) that seeks to design and create a clean and just energy industry in South Africa. This process is underpinned by a rapid revision of energy sector policies, regulatory frameworks and debates around energy reform. The aim of the study is to critically analyse the debates and dynamics underpinning Civil Society Organisations' (CSOs) participation as key stakeholders in the JET process taking place within South Africa: How is civil society engaging in the energy reform process in general and specifically with regards to debates around JET in South Africa? Currently civil society engages in state-sanctioned and self-created platforms around JET, however the extent to which it participates, the challenges it faces, and the dynamics of this civil space are not well understood. The research is based on a qualitative research design and involved in-depth interviews with representatives from several CSOs involved in JET debates as well as desktop research. Strategic and purposive sampling was used as a method for choosing respondents best suited to provide answers for the research question. The research found that CSOs actively participate in energy transition debates in South Africa using a variety of strategies and tactics. These include litigation, public participation platforms, media, resistance campaigns and grassroots community activism. Whilst there have been considerable victories - including advocating for energy access, justice and broader consultation - CSOs face resource related challenges, threats and power dynamics whilst engaging in JET processes. There is also a disconnect between local and international CSOs working in this space. Recommendations are made for more funding and collaboration opportunities to increase the scope, depth and participation of civil society in the JET discourse. The research may assist policy makers, CSOs and researchers to better understand the current participation of civil society in the policymaking and reform process of energy transition in South Africa. Also, the debates and dynamics that characterise and inform their engagement.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Civil society and the state in Uganda’s AIDS response
    (2014-07-06) Grebe, Eduard
    This paper investigates state-civil society relations in the Ugandan AIDS response through a critical exploration of the history of Uganda’s ‘multi-sectoral’ and ‘partnership’ approaches, particularly as it pertains to The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO). It finds that the Ugandan government’s reputation for successful prevention campaigns is not necessarily deserved, and that the effectiveness of civil society is limited by an authoritarian political culture. Despite these limitations, however, state-civil society partnership did contribute to the emergence of a relatively effective coalition for action against HIV/AIDS. Donors were essential in encouraging the emergence of this coalition, but have also inadvertently undermined the emergence of strong and independent civil society voices able to hold the Ugandan state accountable.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Restricted
    The impacts of AIDS movements on the policy responses to HIV/AIDS in Brazil and South Africa: a comparative analysis
    (Taylor & Francis (Routledge), 2012) Nunn, Amy; Dickman, Samuel; Nattrass, Nicoli; Cornwall, Alexandra; Gruskin, Sofia
    Brazil and South Africa were among the first countries profoundly impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and had similar rates of HIV infection in the early 1990s. Today, Brazil has less than 1% adult HIV prevalence, implemented treatment and prevention programmes early in the epidemic, and now has exemplary HIV/AIDS programmes. South Africa, by contrast, has HIV prevalence of 18% and was, until recently, infamous for its delayed and inappropriate response to the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. This article explores how differing relationships between AIDS movements and governments have impacted the evolving policy responses to the AIDS epidemic in both countries, including through AIDS programme finance, leadership and industrial policy related to production of generic medicines.