A Comparative Study of NGOs in China and South Africa

DECLARATION I declare that A Comparative Study of NGOs in China and South Africa is my own work, that it has not been submitted before for any degree or examination in any other university, and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged as complete references. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS At the completion of this research report, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Professor John Bardill for his constant guidance and advice during the course of writing this research report. I am grateful to him for being readily available for consultation and for his critical comments which helped me to improve the quality of the work. Secondly, I would like to express my gratitude to all my lecturers and professors for the academic exposure they afforded me during the course of my studies at the School of Government, U.W.C. My gratitude runs very deep for the support, encouragement, inspiration and motivation they have given me throughout my years of study. I would also like to thank my daughter who assisted me with typing even when she was busy with her high school studies. Finally, I would like to thank my wife and my parents for their encouragement. ABSTRACT This research report presents a comparative analysis of n on-government organizations (NGOs) in China and South Africa. The study focuses on the similar and different roles that the NGO sector plays in the two countries together with the challenges they face. The report is divided into five chapters. The first chapter consists of the statement of the problem, hypotheses/assumptions, objective of the study, literature review and limitations and organization of the study and conclusion. The second chapter provides background perspectives, together with a historical overview of NGOs in China and South Africa, and an analysis of the legislative and regulatory framework under which NGOs operate in the two countries. The third chapter explores the roles of NGOs in development. The fourth chapter provides a critique of NGOs and civil society, and an analysis of NGO cooperation with other countries. The fifth and final chapter examines the prospects for future development, summarises the main challenges facing NGOs in the two countries, and provides recommendations for addressing them.