The South African Non Governmental Organisation Coalition (Sangoco) Western Cape division has elected Damaris Fritz as chair of the new provincial executive committee (PEC).

The new leadership said it had committed to strengthening civil society partnerships that supported a democratic government.

The coalition, in collaboration with the Provincial Development Council intended to host a Civil Society Summit on February 7 next year, to assist in the revitalisation of the civil society sector.

Sangoco was the largest single umbrella body of non governmental organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations in South Africa, with branches in all provinces working on issues affecting regional development.

The coalition was committed to improving socioeconomic conditions in South Africa and its neighbours, as it collaborated in strategic partnerships with other civil society groupings.

Sangoco was established in 1995 to promote and coordinate NGO cooperation, give input to government policy and ensure that the traditions of civil society, that were forged in the resistance to apartheid, continued to serve South Africa.