THEMBI SIWEYA: South Africa’s story is not only one of doom and gloom
opinion
With every year’s 27th April Freedom Day, which is in essence our birthday, South Africa is offered an opportunity to take a step back and take stock. And one of the important issues to consider is how the laws and policies of the country are made, who can influence what they look like and for whose benefit are they made.
One of the major reasons the country’s constitution is said to be amongst the most progressive in the world is because of how it provides for both representative and participatory democracy. Through elections that have been successfully happening every five years without fail, representative democracy is seen through voting of public representative and political parties of choice. In between elections, the government is obliged to consult affected people, organisations, and communities when it makes laws and policies, meaning there is participatory democracy.
Roger de la Harpe, Gallo Images
The hardships and turmoil suffered to get us where we are today also inspired thinking about the type of Constitution that would be best for our country, writes
Thembi Siweya.
Occasions such as the 27th April (Freedom Day) and 16th June (Youth Day) offer an opportunity to take a step back and take stock. And one of the critical issues to consider is how the laws and policies of the country are made, who can influence what they look like, and for whose benefit are they made.
One of the primary reasons the country’s Constitution is said to be among the most progressive in the world is because of how it provides for both representative and participatory democracy.