Democracy and Political Culture

The persistence of inequality, exploitation, oppression, violence, corruption and commodification of public services has caused a big credibility crisis for South Africa’s democracy. In the same vein, politics – once thought of as a tool for ordinary people to exercise agency – is increasingly seen as a tool of the elites. At FES we believe that politics and the work of democracy cannot be left to the powerful. Our work supports the building of alliances between progressive activists who work for renewal inside political parties and those who practice politics outside party machineries. We aim to contribute to an inclusive political culture that leans on feminist insights and centers the marginalized voices of the working class, women, youth, and members of the LGBTQI community. We also believe that an inclusive political culture broadens the meaning of participation beyond elections and foregrounds creativity, imagination, agency, renewal and hope.