Positioning Civil Society Post Polokwane: Coming to Terms with ANC Political Leadership Changes

The introduction of this report provides an overview of the research objectives and a discussion of research methods and limitations to the study. This is followed by a theoretical discussion defining the project’s understanding of civil society as a concept, as well as a typology of civil society in post-apartheid South Africa. Section 3 focuses on the ANC, providing an overview of the organisation’s history, structures, the role of Mbeki, and recent leadership changes. Drawing from primary research material, a historical overview of civil society and ANC relations during apartheid is provided, followed by a discussion of civil society/ANC relations during the transition to democracy.