In recognizing the critical role that civil society plays in tackling poverty, inequality and related social problems, the President announced in his State of the Nation Address on the 16 February 2018 that a Social Sector Summit will be convened during the course of the financial year. The Summit seeks to improve the interface between the state and civil society; and address the challenges that Non-Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations face. Many civil society organizations (organized or not) despite the good work that they are involved in remain unrecognized and unsupported.

Their role are often overlooked and understated but this “third sector of the development equation” makes a sustainable and important contribution to maintaining the health of the country’s democracy. The Summit will be attended by South African Youth Council, Women's National Coalition, Disabled People of South Africa, South African National Civic Organization, South African National Apex Cooperative, Financial Sector Coalition Campaign, NPOs, NGOs, Faith based organizations and Traditional Leaders.

Details of the Summit are as follows:-

Date: 24 January 2019

Time: 08h00

Venue: Hotel @ Tzaneen