Promoting good governance in Africa: The role of the civil society as a watchdog

• Date: 01 February 2020
• Published date: 01 February 2020
• Author: Sphephelo P. Zubane,Daniel N. Mlambo,Victor H. Mlambo
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1989

ACADEMIC PAPER

Promoting good governance in Africa: The role of the civil

society as a watchdog

Victor H. Mlambo

1

|Sphephelo P. Zubane

2

|Daniel N. Mlambo

1

1

Department of Public Administration,

University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South

Africa

2

Department of History, University of

Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa

Correspondence

Victor H. Mlambo, Department of Public

Administration, University of Zululand, Private

Bag X1001 KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.

Email: halavico@yahoo.com

Corruption, maladministration, nepotism, and poor accountability have reached

unprecedented levels within the African continent. Consequently, this has impeded

the successful and adequate provision of public services and by extension, hampered

socio‐economic development and good governance. Undeniably, the entrenchment

of civil society is vital for democratic purposes and the consolidation of good gover-

nance. For the purpose of this study, Africa is regarded as a unitary entity composed

of synchronized autonomous states and governments. As a result, a strict examina-

tion of available and relevant literature on the provision of civil society in Africa

was applied (were a systematic review of literature irtes was undertaken). The study

was able to comprehensively understand the dynamics, challenges, and benefits

related to the increasing rate at which is participating in Africa's governance related

issues and their overall impact. The study was also able to understand how civil soci-

ety in Africa has contributed to promoting good governance. It is, however, apparent

that the increasing involvement of civil society in governance issues relates to trans-

parency, upholding the rule of law, human rights, and the fight against corruption

inter alia. The study also uncovered that the increase in the participation of civil soci-

ety organizations will have a positive impact on governance as they will have the

capacity to act as watchdogs to ensure that governments are effective and serving

the needs of the public. Going forward, it will be imperative for civil society to work

hand in hand with democratically elected governments in not only fighting corruption

and promoting good governance but to also ensure that there is a socio‐economic

and by extension political development within the African continent.

1|INTRODUCTION

Ekek (1992) opined that many constitutions in Africa provide a special

provision for civil society to play an oversight role over the functions

and progress of democratic institutions. Constitutions further enable

civil society to monitor the functions of government and measure

them in terms of ethics and how they adhere to constitutional princi-

ples, monitor human rights, and to give citizens—especially the poor,

vulnerable, and excluded—the tools to know and assert their rights

(Nasu & Saul, 2011). This can be done through education and capacity

training workshops. Across Africa, civil society undoubtedly plays a

key role in defending the rights of disadvantaged communities,

delivering public services where the governments have shown a defi-

ciency. Civil society is undoubtedly an important element in promoting

good governance and stabilizing democracy. As stated by the United

Nations Development Program (UNDP (1997), good governance is,

among other things, participatory, transparent and accountable,

effective, and equitable, and it promotes the rule of law. It ensures

that political, social, and economic priorities are based on broad

consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most

vulnerable are heard in decision making over the allocation of devel-

opment resources.

Although in Africa, the idea and concept of civil society has gained

traction, unfortunately, many governments are yet to fully understand

Received: 23 April 2019 Accepted: 17 May 2019

DOI: 10.1002/pa.1989

J Public Affairs. 2020;20:e1989.

https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1989

© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pa 1of8