Abstract
In highlighting the 'strong state' features of the classical developmental
state (DS), civil society's role for the realisation of developmental
outcomes is often under-represented if not entirely side-lined in the DS
literature in Africa. Given the renewed interest in the rising notion of
democratic developmental states (DDS), civil society as an integral part
of democracy must have some significance for aspirational
developmental trajectory in Africa, and especially in South Africa. This
article presents an analysis of the role of civil society in the project of a
South African developmental state. A trend assessment is conducted with
the view to illuminate where the civil society organisation (CSO) stands,
and in the pursuit of the developmental state in South Africa's young
democracy. The study identifies a number of strengths as well as
challenges currently facing CSOs in South Africa with regard to their
contribution towards the realisation of the democratic developmental
state.