The recent debate about the reconstruction of civil society in South Africa has focused mainly on relationships of power and on how to create a space for civil society not dominated by the State. The present article puts forward an argument about the importance of civility (expressed in the acceptance of people as bearers of rights) as a component of civil society. It is in the acceptance of others as rights-holders that political tolerance is fostered. Tolerance, therefore, lies at the heart of civil society. The article brings empirical evidence to bear to show the levels of political tolerance that exist in South Africa, and to consider the implications for building civil society, as well as for the relationship between civil society and the State. Data derive from a regionally stratified sample of 270 blacks and 270 whites interviewed between April and June 1990. The most important finding is that both whites and blacks in South Africa are highly intolerant. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum.
