DOCSLIB.ORG

Twenty Years of South African Democracy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Twenty Years of South African Democracy Twenty years of South African democracy Citizen views of human rights, governance and the political system by Susan Booysen i Contents List of tables .................................................................................................................................................. v List of diagrams ............................................................................................................................................. v Acronyms ..................................................................................................................................................... vi Abbreviations and colloquial and commercial terms used in the narratives ............................................. vii Distribution of focus groups by province ....................................................................................................viii Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................... 1 Section 1: Introduction: objectives, methodology, analysis and political context .................................... 4 1.1 Introduction and objectives of the study ............................................................................................ 4 1.2 Methodology and implementation of the study ................................................................................ 4 1.3 Use of quotations in this report .......................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Report structure .................................................................................................................................. 9 Section 2: Human rights, change and daily life in communities across South Africa .............................. 11 2.1 Introduction and synopsis of main findings ...................................................................................... 11 2.2 It is a different, much-transformed South Africa .............................................................................. 12 The Constitution and implementation problems ............................................................................... 12 Uneven realization and expectations of more .................................................................................... 13 2.3 Change is imperfect, but black people are in power and there is hope ........................................... 14 Racial dignity and human pride .......................................................................................................... 14 Small-town racism and inequality before the law .............................................................................. 15 Minority group experiences of racism ................................................................................................ 16 New race-class inequalities ................................................................................................................. 16 Women’s rights and gender roles – affirmations of change .............................................................. 17 Children’s rights – celebration and shortfalls ..................................................................................... 18 Low-key xenophobia ........................................................................................................................... 18 2.4 Hope and socio-economic transformation – living the life of realized rights, with gaps ................. 19 Education is better, with provisos ...................................................................................................... 20 Opportunities for business and enterprise ......................................................................................... 21 Food parcels and feeding schemes for children ................................................................................. 21 Health care is better, with exceptions ................................................................................................ 22 ii Housing is much improved, but hovels remain .................................................................................. 22 Access to water, electricity and sewerage services ............................................................................ 23 Land ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 2.5 Economic freedom with unemployment .......................................................................................... 25 The problem of politicians and hollow job promises .......................................................................... 26 Unemployment and cronyism............................................................................................................. 27 Crime, and links to unemployment ..................................................................................................... 27 Drugs, alcohol, gangs and crime ......................................................................................................... 28 Section 3: Political system, leaders and the institutions of South African democracy ........................... 30 3.1 Introduction and synopsis of findings ............................................................................................... 30 3.2 Longing for the days of ‘Mandela democracy’ .................................................................................. 31 3.3 The trusted parent, with mixed feelings ........................................................................................... 32 The parent and the government of the rich ....................................................................................... 33 3.4 Experiences and impressions of national, provincial and local government .................................... 34 3.5 Public service across the levels of government ................................................................................ 36 3.6 Political executive, Public Protector and Constitutional Court ......................................................... 37 The political executive ........................................................................................................................ 37 Constitutional Court ............................................................................................................................ 38 Public Protector .................................................................................................................................. 38 3.7 Police and the court system – crises of confidence .......................................................................... 39 Personal safety as a compromised human right ................................................................................. 39 Inequality and corruption at the hands of the police and the courts ................................................. 40 Section 4: Public participation, engagement with the system and the media ........................................ 43 4.1 Introduction and synopsis of main findings ...................................................................................... 43 4.2 Public participation, self-help and community help ......................................................................... 43 4.3 Bottom-up perspectives on how the system of representation could work .................................... 46 4.4 Sympathy for protest and strike action ............................................................................................ 47 4.5 The mass media, political awareness and amplification of people’s voices ..................................... 49 The media creating national citizens .................................................................................................. 49 The media as extension of people’s voice .......................................................................................... 50 Section 5: Voting and party political choice .............................................................................................. 52 5.1 Introduction and synopsis of main findings ...................................................................................... 52 5.2 Commitment to vote, albeit not the time of euphoria anymore...................................................... 53 iii Voting improves job prospects ........................................................................................................... 54 Citizen duty and earning the right to criticize ..................................................................................... 54 Defending liberation ........................................................................................................................... 55 Hope for more delivery ....................................................................................................................... 55 5.3 Why many South Africans may not vote come Election 2014 .......................................................... 55 ‘Hollow words’ make voters feel it is futile to vote ............................................................................ 56 5.4 Election campaigns and the cynical South African voter .................................................................. 57 5.5 The political parties and Election 2014 ............................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ngaka Modiri Molema District
    2 PROFILE: NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT PROFILE: NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT 3 CONTENT 1. Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... 4 2. Introduction: Brief Overview ........................................................................................... 7 2.1. Historical Perspective .............................................................................................. 7 2.3. Spatial Status .......................................................................................................... 9 3. Social Development Profile .......................................................................................... 10 3.1. Key Social Demographics ..................................................................................... 10 3.1.1. Population .......................................................................................................... 10 3.1.2. Gender, Age and Race ....................................................................................... 11 3.1.3. Households ........................................................................................................ 12 3.2. Health Profile ......................................................................................................... 12 3.3. COVID - 19............................................................................................................ 13 3.4. Poverty Dimensions .............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Zeerust Sub District of Ramotshere Moiloa Magisterial District Main
    # # !C # ### # !C^# #!.C# # !C # # # # # # # # # ^!C# # # # # # # # ^ # # ^ # ## # !C # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # !C # !C # # # # # # ## # # # # !C# # # # #!C# # # ## ^ ## # !C # # # # # ^ # # # # # # #!C # # # !C # # #^ # # # # # # # # #!C # # # # # # # !C # # # # # # # # !C# ## # # # # # # !C# # !C # # # #^ # # # # # # # # # # # #!C# # # # # ## # # # # # # # ##!C # # ## # # # # # # # # # # !C### # # ## # ## # # # # # ## ## # ## !C## # # # # !C # # # #!C# # # # #^ # # # ## # # !C# # # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # # # ## # # # # # # #!C # #!C #!C# # # # # # # ^# # # # # # # # # # ## # # ## # # !C# ^ ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # ### # ## # # !C # # #!C # # #!C # ## # !C## ## # # # # !C# # # ## # # # # ## # # # # # # # # # # ## # # ### # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # #!C # # ## ## # # ## # ## # # ## ## # # #^!C # # # # # # ^ # # # # # # ## ## # # ## # # # # # !C # ## # # # #!C # ### # # # ##!C # # # # !C# #!C# ## # ## # # # !C # # ## # # ## # ## # ## ## # # ## !C# # # ## # ## # # ## #!C## # # # !C # !C# #!C # # ### # # # # # ## !C## !.### # ### # # # # ## !C # # # # # ## # #### # ## # # # # ## ## #^ # # # # # ^ # # !C# ## # # # # # # # !C## # ## # # # # # # # ## # # ##!C## ##!C# # !C# # # ## # !C### # # ^ # !C #### # # !C# ^#!C # # # !C # #!C ### ## ## #!C # ## # # # # # ## ## !C# ## # # # #!C # ## # ## ## # # # # # !C # # ^ # # ## ## ## # # # # !.!C## #!C## # ### # # # # # ## # # !C # # # # !C# # # # # # # # ## !C # # # # ## # # # # # # ## # # ## # # # ## # # ^ # # # # # # # ## !C ## # ^ # # # !C# # # # ^ # # ## #!C # # ^
    [Show full text]
  • Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality at a Glance
    RAMOTSHERE MOILOA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY Integrated Development Plan 2020/2021 Table of Contents Mayor’s Foreword i Mayor Cllr.P K Mothoagae ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Acting Municipal Manager’s Overview iv 1. CHAPTER 1: Executive Summary 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality at a Glance ............................................................................ 1 1.3 The 2017-2022 IDP ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.4 The IDP Process ................................................................................................................................. 3 1.4.2 Phase 1 Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4.3 Phase 2: Strategies ...................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4.4 Phase 3: Projects ......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4.5 Phase 4: Integration .................................................................................................................................... 5
    [Show full text]
  • Case Study – South Africa Political Economy Analysis
    Political Economy Analyses of Countries in Eastern and Southern Africa Case Study – South Africa Political Economy Analysis June 2017 Table of contents List of abbreviations 5 Executive Summary 9 1 Political Landscape 11 1.1 Introduction 11 1.2 Historical context 11 1.3 Current Political Trends and Contestations 13 1.3.1 Leadership crisis and political infighting within the ANC 13 1.3.2 Economic mismanagement and fears of credit rating downgrades 13 1.3.3 The rise of opposition parties: Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters 14 1.3.4 Poverty, unemployment and inequality 15 1.3.5 Corruption 15 1.3.6 Social uprising/protests (Service delivery; Fees must fall; Zuma must fall) 16 1.3.7 The role of the courts, Public Protector and public litigation 16 1.4 Concluding remarks 16 2 Structure and dynamics of the budget process 17 2.1 The budgeting process 17 2.2 Decentralisation, Provincial and Local Government 20 2.3 The budget cycle 21 2.3.1 Phase 1: Planning (drafting) 22 2.3.2 Phase 2: Legislative (Authorisation) 25 2.3.3 Phase 3: Implementation 25 2.3.4 Phase 4: Evaluation (Auditing) 25 2.4 Key role-players in the budgeting process 25 2.5 The role of Parliament in the budget process 27 2.6 The Role of Line Ministries in the budget process 28 3 Key stakeholders related to children 31 3.1 Parliament and the role of Civil Society 31 3.1.1 Parliamentary Committees, priorities and power struggles 31 3.1.2 Civil Society in Parliament 33 3.1.3 Public Interest Litigation 33 3.2 Inside National Government 34 3.2.1 Perspectives of the
    [Show full text]
  • South Africa
    Safrica Page 1 of 42 Recent Reports Support HRW About HRW Site Map May 1995 Vol. 7, No.3 SOUTH AFRICA THREATS TO A NEW DEMOCRACY Continuing Violence in KwaZulu-Natal INTRODUCTION For the last decade South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal region has been troubled by political violence. This conflict escalated during the four years of negotiations for a transition to democratic rule, and reached the status of a virtual civil war in the last months before the national elections of April 1994, significantly disrupting the election process. Although the first year of democratic government in South Africa has led to a decrease in the monthly death toll, the figures remain high enough to threaten the process of national reconstruction. In particular, violence may prevent the establishment of democratic local government structures in KwaZulu-Natal following further elections scheduled to be held on November 1, 1995. The basis of this violence remains the conflict between the African National Congress (ANC), now the leading party in the Government of National Unity, and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the majority party within the new region of KwaZulu-Natal that replaced the former white province of Natal and the black homeland of KwaZulu. Although the IFP abandoned a boycott of the negotiations process and election campaign in order to participate in the April 1994 poll, following last minute concessions to its position, neither this decision nor the election itself finally resolved the points at issue. While the ANC has argued during the year since the election that the final constitutional arrangements for South Africa should include a relatively centralized government and the introduction of elected government structures at all levels, the IFP has maintained instead that South Africa's regions should form a federal system, and that the colonial tribal government structures should remain in place in the former homelands.
    [Show full text]
  • Presence, Levels and Distribution of Pollutants in the Estuarine Food Web- Swartkops River Estuary, South Africa
    Presence, levels and distribution of pollutants in the estuarine food web- Swartkops River Estuary, South Africa L Nel 21250642 Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Magister Scientiae in Zoology at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University Supervisor: Prof H Bouwman Co-supervisor: Dr N Strydom September 2014 1 “Man can hardly even recognize the devils of his own creation” ~ Albert Schweitzer i Presence, levels and distribution of pollutants in the estuarine food web- Swartkops River Estuary, South Africa Acknowledgements The completion of this dissertation would not have been possible without the help and support from a number of people. To each who played a role, I want to personally thank you. To my parents, Pieter and Monique Nel, there is not enough ways to say thank you for the support, inspiration and unconditional love, for always being there and having the faith to see this through when I was no longer able to. The assistance and advice I have received from my supervisors Prof Henk Bouwman and Dr Nadine Strydom. Thank you for your guidance, patience and valuable contributions. To Anthony Kruger and Edward Truter who assisted with the collection of the fish. Your generosity and assistance was unbelievable and without you, I would be nowhere near complete. To Sabina Philips who helped and assisted throughout the time I was in Port Elizabeth. Your help, kindness and friendship are greatly appreciated. Paula Pattrick who took the time to help with the seine nets for the collection of smaller fish. To Deon Swart for the arrangement of the collecting permits and dealing with difficult authorities To my friends and family for their trust, support and encouragement.
    [Show full text]
  • Delareyville Main Seat of Tswaing Magisterial District
    # # !C # # ### !C^ !.C# # # # !C # # # # # # # # # # ^!C # # # # # # # ^ # # ^ # # !C # ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # !C# # !C # # # # # # # # # #!C # # # # # # #!C# # # # # # !C ^ # # # # # # # # # # # # ^ # # # # !C # !C # #^ # # # # # # ## # #!C # # # # # # ## !C# # # # # # # !C# ## # # # # !C # !C # # # ## # # # ^ # # # # # # # # #!C# # # # # ## ## # # # # # # # # # # ## #!C # # # # # # # # # # !C # # # ## # # ## # # # # # # !C # # # ## ## # ## # # # # !C # # # # ## # # !C# !C # #^ # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # #!C # ## # ##^ # !C #!C# # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # ## # # # !C# ## # # # # # ^ # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # ## # ## # # !C # # #!C # # # # # # # !C# # # # # !C # # # # !C## # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # # # ## ## ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # !C ## # # # # # # # # # ## # # #!C # # # # # # # # # ^ # # # # # # ^ # # # ## # # # # # # # # # ## #!C # # # # # # # #!C # !C # # # # !C # #!C # # # # # # # # ## # # !C # ### # ## # # # # ## # # # # # # # # # # # # !C # # # # # # ## # # # # # # !C # #### !C## # # # !C # # ## !C !C # # # # # # # # !.# # # # # # # ## # #!C# # # # # # # ## # # # # # # # # # # # ### # #^ # # # # # # # ## # # # # ^ # !C# ## # # # # # # !C## # # # # # # # ## # # # ## # !C ## # # # # # ## !C# # !C# ### # !C### # # ^ # # # !C ### # # # !C# ##!C # !C # # # ^ !C ## # # #!C ## # # # # # # # # # # ## !C## ## # # ## # ## # # # # # #!C # ## # # # # # # # ## # # !C # ^ # # ## # # # # # !.!C # # # # # # # !C # # !C# # ### # # # # # # # # # # ## !C # # # # ## !C
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Address by Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela at the University Of
    Address by Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela at the University of Witwatersrand’s Business School, in Johannesburg, on Thursday, April 25, 2013 “Active Citizens are Key to Good Governance” Program Director, Ms Iman Rappetti Professor Wendy Ngoma, Director of the Wits Business School Chairperson of the Johannesburg Press Club, Mr. Mixael de Kock; Professor Kalu Ojah, Deputy Head of the Wits Business School Deputy Chairperson of the Johannesburg Press Club, Ms. Amina Frense Former chairperson of the Johannesburg Press Club, Mr. Hopewell Hadebe; Distinguished from the academic community and the media; Ladies and gentlemen I am humbled and honoured to address this gathering. The media and academic community are important stakeholders in the work of my office, the Public Protector South Africa. I would like to thank the Johannesburg Press Club and the Wits Business School for the opportunity. Furthermore, the contribution of the media and the academic community in promoting public dialogue on the place and role of my office in our democracy as well as specific activities, including reports, can never be over emphasised. My team and I value public platforms of this nature as they contribute to our endeavours to ensure our services be accessible to all persons and communities in compliance with section 182(4) of the Constitution. The Public Protector Team is deeply indebted to the organisers of this event. Programme Director My engagement with you today focuses on the role of citizens in promoting good governance in state affairs. I hope you agree with me that in any democracy, “Active citizens are key to good governance”.
    [Show full text]
  • BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION in DURBAN: PERCEPTIONS of BLACK ENTREPRENEURS in the CONTEXT of BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT by Peter Muli
    BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION IN DURBAN: PERCEPTIONS OF BLACK ENTREPRENEURS IN THE CONTEXT OF BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT By Peter Mulinda Mudenda 208511198 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Development Studies in the Graduate Programme of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. Supervisor: Prof. Richard Ballard January, 2013 Durban DECLERATION I declare that this dissertation is my own unaided work. All citations, references and borrowed ideas have been duly acknowledged. It is being submitted for the degree of Masters in Development Studies in the Graduate Programme of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies in the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. None of the present work has been submitted previously for any degree or examination in any other University. _____________________________ Student signature ______________________________________ Date i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “The Arc of the Moral Universe Is Long, but It Bends Toward Justice” (Martin Luther King, Jr.). It bends because men and women, some obscure in their labour, put their arms on it and bend it towards a better day for us. My achievement, and indeed no man’s achievement, is ever a solitary effort but one borne of a collective effort made by many. I am all too aware of the sacrifices of those whose love and support humbles me to my core. I remember with humble gratitude my beloved aunty, Mutinta Laura Mpamba, whose abiding faith and love in the face of pain and suffering always fills my eyes with tears; my late cousin Mrs.
    [Show full text]
  • Social, Political and Cultural Challenges of the Brics Social, Political and Cultural Challenges of the Brics
    SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES OF THE BRICS SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES OF THE BRICS Gustavo Lins Ribeiro Tom Dwyer Antonádia Borges Eduardo Viola (organizadores) SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES OF THE BRICS Gustavo Lins Ribeiro Tom Dwyer Antonádia Borges Eduardo Viola (organizadores) Summary PRESENTATION Social, political and cultural challenges of the BRICS: a symposium, a debate, a book 9 Gustavo Lins Ribeiro PART ONE DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC POLICIES IN THE BRICSS Social sciences and the BRICS 19 Tom Dwyer Development, social justice and empowerment in contemporary India: a sociological perspective 33 K. L. Sharma India’s public policy: issues and challenges & BRICS 45 P. S. Vivek From the minority points of view: a dimension for China’s national strategy 109 Naran Bilik Liquid modernity, development trilemma and ignoledge governance: a case study of ecological crisis in SW China 121 Zhou Lei 6 • Social, political and cultural challenges of the BRICS The global position of South Africa as BRICS country 167 Freek Cronjé Development public policies, emerging contradictions and prospects in the post-apartheid South Africa 181 Sultan Khan PART TWO ContemporarY Transformations AND RE-ASSIGNMENT OF political AND cultural MEANING IN THE BRICS Political-economic changes and the production of new categories of understanding in the BRICS 207 Antonádia Borges South Africa: hopeful and fearful 217 Francis Nyamnjoh The modern politics of recognition in BRICS’ cultures and societies: a chinese case of superstition
    [Show full text]
  • The University of Kwazulu-Natal the African Ombudsman Research Centre
    THE UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL & THE AFRICAN OMBUDSMAN RESEARCH CENTRE (AORC), A RESEARCH AND TRAINING ARM OF THE AFRICAN OMBUDSMAN AND MEDIATORS’ ASSOCIATION - Cordially invite you to a webinar - REPORT WRITING SKILLS Report writing skills has been identified in AORC’s ongoing needs assessment as one of the training priorities required by African Ombudsman. In responding to this need, the AORC has planned a series of webinars for African Ombudsman and their staff. The upcoming webinars for African Ombudsman and staff will focus on practical measures that Ombudsman and their staff can use to improve their report writing skills. These webinars are an excellent opportunity to enhance the capacity of African Ombudsman throughout the continent in their tasks of preparing persuasive reports. They will also contribute to the development of skilled resources within the Ombudsman institutions to the benefit of each participating country and Africa as a whole. PLEASE CLICK ON THE RSVP LINK FOR THE SESSION YOU WISH TO JOIN. ENGLISH SESSION FRENCH SESSION DATE DATE FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST 2020 FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST 2020 TIME TIME 10H00 – 11H00 14H00 – 15H00 SPEAKER SPEAKER PROFESSOR THULI MADONSELA MRS ALIMA TRAORÉ FORMER PUBLIC PROTECTOR, SOUTH AFRICA FORMER MEDIATOR, BURKINA FASO FACILITATOR FACILITATOR ADVOCATE BUSISIWE MKHWEBANE HON. EDOUARD NDUWIMANA PUBLIC PROTECTOR, SOUTH AFRICA OMBUDSMAN, BURUNDI CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THE ENGLISH CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THE FRENCH SESSION SESSION CLICK HERE TO RSVP CLICK HERE TO RSVP Please note that there will be no live questions and answers due to time constraints. Participants may however submit relevant questions to Franky Lwelela ([email protected]) or Marion Adonis ([email protected]) by 10:00 on Thursday the 13th August 2020 or use the Q & A function during the webinar.
    [Show full text]
  • Inkululeko * Freedom Newsleher of the Michigan Anti-Apartheid Coordinating Council No.1
    March -April aa Inkululeko * Freedom NewsleHer of the Michigan Anti-Apartheid Coordinating Council No.1 .~ =-===_~- i1 = r 4::a5"I'''' rra-.~ ~ ""'<:t==:=..__~ j Apartheid'Regime J ~ Launches Nevv Attacks! ~ Political Activities cJ I}_Civic ~ Ldx>r Groups Bamed .. On February 24th, the apartheid state This October all race groups will issued orders forbidding 17 anti-racist be able to vote in "their" res­ organizations "from carrying out or pective municipal elections. By performing any activity or acts obstructing political campaigns by whatsoever". Groups affected range the liberation_movement either with­ from the nation's largest anti­ in or in opposition to this round apartheid coalition, the multi-racial of elections the racist state hopes United Democratic Front (UDF) to the to foster an appearance of legiti­ smaller but influential Black Conscious­ macy and fake mass support for the ness Azanian Peoples Organization collaborators and the Botha reqimes' (AZAPO) and its National Forum Committee bogus reform stance. Messages' alliance. The Conqress of South African supporting the freedom movement can Trade Unions (COSATU) was ordered to be sent to: cease all its political activities COSATU and confine itself to narrow collective P.O. Box 1019 bargaining issues. Johannesburg 2000 South Africa Most press reports stressed the ru­ Telex: 486519 linq Nationalist Party took these steps to appear tough on "law and Weekly Mail order" for two whites I only by­ p.0. Box 260425 elections. These elections were Excom 2023 subsequently lost to the even more South. Africa extreme racist Conservative Party. Telex: 486379 The ruling party·s main intent how­ ever is to block resistence to those The New Nation forces in the Black community willing P.O.
    [Show full text]