South Africa has experienced several decades of its transition to a democratic dispensation and yet challenges remain on every front. There are huge developmental backlogs. Inequality is unacceptably high and millions of people live in poverty. Our government and the political order have failed to lead our society towards the future all our children deserve. The governance system has been undermined by corruption, self-interest and failure to prioritise the needs of the people.

The majority of South Africans want our constitutional democracy to succeed and to deliver on the post-apartheid promises of an equitable and prosperous country in which the opportunity for self-realisation is available to all. We believe that government will not be able to implement effective reconstruction and development nor build a vibrant prosperous society without strong, informed and effective Civil Society Organisations. We believe democracy needs to be strengthened, systems of accountability restored and citizen participation increased at every level. We therefore commit ourselves to strengthening the sector, to improving the quality and impact of our services and delivery in general and, to contributing to a vibrant and dynamic society. As organisations, we therefore agree to adhere to this Code of Ethics.