The Programme Manager at
the Centre for Human Rights (University of Pretoria), Ms. Bonolo
Makgale has called for an honest and forward-looking conversation
between parliamentarians and civil society across Africa.
She made the call at the
opening of the Third Civil Society–Parliament Dialogue hosted
by the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).
As convener of
the Forum, Ms. Makgale reflected on its origins and urgent
relevance, highlighting that the Civil Society Forum emerged from a
constitutional promise left unfulfilled.
“Article 17 of the
Constitutive Act of the African Union guarantees civil society participation;
but in practice, there were no mechanisms to make that participation real,”
she observed. “This Forum exists because we saw a gap between principle and
practice and chose to close it.”
From Ad Hoc to
Institutional: A Call for Permanent Civic Engagement
Ms. Makgale emphasized that democracy cannot rest on
“personalities or individual goodwill,” but must be institutionalized,
structured, and permanent. She challenged PAP and its partners to move
beyond informal or symbolic engagement and instead design systems where civic
voices are embedded in continental decision-making processes.
“Participation must
be institutionalized, not informal, not ad hoc. We cannot build
democratic resilience through spontaneous gestures. It requires frameworks,
rules, and permanent structures.”
When Constitutions Are
Paper Without Practice
Addressing the crisis
of legitimacy across parts of the continent, Makgale warned
that democratic processes risk becoming hollow when they do not deliver
meaningful change in people’s lives.
“When constitutions
exist on paper but not in practice, when change means new faces but not new
conditions, democracy itself is questioned.”
She reminded
participants that elections and institutions are not enough: democracy must
be felt in the everyday realities of citizens.
Understanding the Rise
of Military Coups: A Mirror, Not Just a Moment
In a deeply reflective
moment, Ms. Makgale urged the Pan-African Parliament to engage
with difficult truths around the growing support for military takeovers in
parts of the continent. She argued that such sentiments are symptoms of
deeper democratic failures.
“When young people
place greater trust in soldiers than in statesmen, it is not only a coup: it is
a crisis of legitimacy and a breach of the social contract.”
Rather than simply
condemning these events, she called on African institutions to confront the
root causes: broken systems, unkept promises, and exclusionary governance.
Making Democracy Real in
People's Lives
Echoing the frustrations
of young people across Africa, Makgale reminded the assembly
that governance must translate into tangible outcomes.
“A young person in
Nairobi, Maputo, Abuja or Bamako must feel the impact of the decisions we make
here. Our work must travel beyond these walls.”
Democracy, she argued,
must move beyond conference halls and resonate in communities, in better
services, inclusive policies, and accountability that can be seen and touched.
Reclaiming Hope,
Restoring Trust
Despite the sobering
reflections, Makgale ended her speech with a message of hope
and agency. She drew strength from the resilience of activists and
parliamentarians who continue to fight for justice despite adversity.
“I remain hopeful
because I see civil society leaders who have faced tear gas and returned to
defend rights, and parliamentarians who speak truth even at personal cost.”
The Forum, she said, was
not just a talking space but a strategic tool for democratic
trust-building: a platform to speak with each other, not past one another.
“We know the power of
dialogue. The idea here is to reimagine Africa, together.”
Democracy Can Be Rebuilt
In conclusion, Ms.
Makgale affirmed that Africa is not powerless in the face of
its challenges. The presence, diversity, and courage of participants at the
Dialogue were themselves proof that democracy can be rebuilt, not just as a
system of governance, but as a shared belief in dignity, justice, and voice.
“Africa has its
challenges. But it also has agency. And in this room, I see the courage to act.”
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