Non-governmental Shirle*Walters organisations and the South African

future relations ABSTRACT The article explores the relationship between the state and NGOs in order to address the question: Is there a place for non-governmental, community-based organisations in a democratic South African state? Section One elaborates the relationship between oppositional NGOs and the apartheid state. Section Two discusses trends in relations between NGOs and various states, particularly in Africa and Latin America. In Section Three there is a preliminary discussion of issues for South African NGOs in the light of trends elsewhere