The moral agency of civil society in post-election South Africa
With the dawn of the new post-election Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa, this article ventures some ideas on the possible contribution of civil society to this new dispensation with the aim of turning the tide of moral decay and to set the course to hope and the development of a co...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
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AOSIS
2024-11-01
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| Series: | In die Skriflig |
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| Online Access: | https://indieskriflig.org.za/index.php/skriflig/article/view/3116 |
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| author | Jacobus M. Vorster |
| author_facet | Jacobus M. Vorster |
| author_sort | Jacobus M. Vorster |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With the dawn of the new post-election Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa, this article ventures some ideas on the possible contribution of civil society to this new dispensation with the aim of turning the tide of moral decay and to set the course to hope and the development of a community of character. The research approaches the topic from a Reformed theological-ethical paradigm and considers social ethics within the context of the kingdom of God as the determinant of Christian social ethics. The study explores the possibility that the upcoming civil society could contribute to the much-needed moral ethos of South Africa by means of cooperation, confrontation, complimentary action, and co-option with respect to the state machinery in the GNU. The central theoretical argument of this research is that the incumbent civil society in South Africa – as one of the pillars of the constitutional democracy – can play an important role in the reinvention of a sound moral ethos as a moral agent over and against the GNU. To prove this hypothesis, the article discusses and submits the following areas of social involvement by civil society as proposals for further reflection: reviving morality, fostering moral leadership, being the voice of the poor, exposing corruption, shadowing public education, fighting crime, furthering constitutionalism, and promoting national dialogue.
Contribution: The research indicates that civil society in South Africa has renewed potential to act as a powerful and effective moral agent in the country by using the spaces provided by the new post-election GNU. It can play a prominent role in rebuilding the moral ethos, social cohesion, and welfare of the community. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aadf7629ea38404faa97d3f6fc69c42a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1018-6441 2305-0853 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | In die Skriflig |
| spelling | doaj-art-aadf7629ea38404faa97d3f6fc69c42a2024-12-03T11:14:46ZafrAOSISIn die Skriflig1018-64412305-08532024-11-01581e1e810.4102/ids.v58i1.31162679The moral agency of civil society in post-election South AfricaJacobus M. Vorster0Unit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, PotchefstroomWith the dawn of the new post-election Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa, this article ventures some ideas on the possible contribution of civil society to this new dispensation with the aim of turning the tide of moral decay and to set the course to hope and the development of a community of character. The research approaches the topic from a Reformed theological-ethical paradigm and considers social ethics within the context of the kingdom of God as the determinant of Christian social ethics. The study explores the possibility that the upcoming civil society could contribute to the much-needed moral ethos of South Africa by means of cooperation, confrontation, complimentary action, and co-option with respect to the state machinery in the GNU. The central theoretical argument of this research is that the incumbent civil society in South Africa – as one of the pillars of the constitutional democracy – can play an important role in the reinvention of a sound moral ethos as a moral agent over and against the GNU. To prove this hypothesis, the article discusses and submits the following areas of social involvement by civil society as proposals for further reflection: reviving morality, fostering moral leadership, being the voice of the poor, exposing corruption, shadowing public education, fighting crime, furthering constitutionalism, and promoting national dialogue. Contribution: The research indicates that civil society in South Africa has renewed potential to act as a powerful and effective moral agent in the country by using the spaces provided by the new post-election GNU. It can play a prominent role in rebuilding the moral ethos, social cohesion, and welfare of the community.https://indieskriflig.org.za/index.php/skriflig/article/view/3116civil societygovernment of national unitygnumoral agencypoverty in south africacorruption in south africaleadership in south africaeducation in south africanational dialogue in south africachurches in south africacivic talk. |
| spellingShingle | Jacobus M. Vorster The moral agency of civil society in post-election South Africa In die Skriflig civil society government of national unity gnu moral agency poverty in south africa corruption in south africa leadership in south africa education in south africa national dialogue in south africa churches in south africa civic talk. |
| title | The moral agency of civil society in post-election South Africa |
| title_full | The moral agency of civil society in post-election South Africa |
| title_fullStr | The moral agency of civil society in post-election South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | The moral agency of civil society in post-election South Africa |
| title_short | The moral agency of civil society in post-election South Africa |
| title_sort | moral agency of civil society in post election south africa |
| topic | civil society government of national unity gnu moral agency poverty in south africa corruption in south africa leadership in south africa education in south africa national dialogue in south africa churches in south africa civic talk. |
| url | https://indieskriflig.org.za/index.php/skriflig/article/view/3116 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jacobusmvorster themoralagencyofcivilsocietyinpostelectionsouthafrica AT jacobusmvorster moralagencyofcivilsocietyinpostelectionsouthafrica |