In a thought-provoking editorial, Alan Jackson examines the challenges facing South Africa’s NGO sector, reflecting on Lorenzo Davids’ earlier commentary in the Cape Times. While agreeing with Davids’ critique of the sector’s fragmentation and the need for measurable impact, Jackson challenges the suggestion that halting new NGO registrations is the solution. Instead, he argues donors should prioritize supporting organizations—new or established—that demonstrate tangible results. Jackson also disputes Davids’ claim that NGOs “sell misery,” asserting that many have adopted a defeatist attitude, viewing themselves as victims rather than agents of change. He emphasizes the importance of fostering hope through empowerment, enabling NGOs to focus on measurable outcomes for beneficiaries.
Jackson highlights the critical need for NGOs to strengthen their capacity in areas such as corporate governance, strategic planning, and financial management. He stresses that donors must demand accountability not for the sector’s survival, but to ensure that every rand contributes directly to meaningful change. By aligning funding with results and equipping NGOs with tools to assess their impact, he believes the sector can shift from a culture of dependency to one of proactive, solution-driven engagement. The editorial underscores a call for both donors and NGOs to recommit to transparency, innovation, and measurable progress in addressing societal challenges.