IRM1501 Assignment 1 (ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2024 - DISTINCTION
GUARANTEED
ADMIN
[COMPANY NAME] [Company address]
, QUESTION 1 With relevant decided cases, discuss transformative
constitutionalism and identify three basic principles of transformative
constitutionalism. (6 MARKS)
Transformative constitutionalism is a legal and constitutional theory
that emphasizes the role of the constitution in fostering social
transformation and addressing historical injustices. It goes beyond
merely interpreting and applying the law; instead, it seeks to bring
about positive social change and address systemic inequalities.
While I cannot provide real-time or the latest decided cases, I can
offer examples of cases that have been historically associated with
transformative constitutionalism principles.
1. Case: Grootboom v Oostenberg Municipality (2000) (South
Africa):
Principle: Socio-economic rights as justiciable. The
Grootboom case in South Africa is often cited as an example of
transformative constitutionalism. The Constitutional Court held
that the right to have access to adequate housing, as
enshrined in the South African Constitution, is justiciable. The
court emphasized the state's positive duty to take reasonable
legislative and other measures within its available resources to
ensure the progressive realization of the right to housing.
2. Case: Mazibuko v City of Johannesburg (2010) (South
Africa):
Principle: Participatory democracy and access to basic
services. In this case, the court addressed the issue of
prepaid water meters affecting access to water for low-income
households. The court stressed the importance of participatory
democracy, emphasizing that local government decisions
affecting access to basic services must involve meaningful
consultation with affected communities. This reflects the
transformative principle of ensuring marginalized groups are
actively involved in decision-making processes.
3. Case: Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala (1973) (India):
Principle: Basic structure doctrine and the limitation of
constitutional amendments. While not directly associated
with transformative constitutionalism, the Kesavananda
Bharati case in India introduced the concept of the "basic
Semester 1 2024 - DISTINCTION
GUARANTEED
ADMIN
[COMPANY NAME] [Company address]
, QUESTION 1 With relevant decided cases, discuss transformative
constitutionalism and identify three basic principles of transformative
constitutionalism. (6 MARKS)
Transformative constitutionalism is a legal and constitutional theory
that emphasizes the role of the constitution in fostering social
transformation and addressing historical injustices. It goes beyond
merely interpreting and applying the law; instead, it seeks to bring
about positive social change and address systemic inequalities.
While I cannot provide real-time or the latest decided cases, I can
offer examples of cases that have been historically associated with
transformative constitutionalism principles.
1. Case: Grootboom v Oostenberg Municipality (2000) (South
Africa):
Principle: Socio-economic rights as justiciable. The
Grootboom case in South Africa is often cited as an example of
transformative constitutionalism. The Constitutional Court held
that the right to have access to adequate housing, as
enshrined in the South African Constitution, is justiciable. The
court emphasized the state's positive duty to take reasonable
legislative and other measures within its available resources to
ensure the progressive realization of the right to housing.
2. Case: Mazibuko v City of Johannesburg (2010) (South
Africa):
Principle: Participatory democracy and access to basic
services. In this case, the court addressed the issue of
prepaid water meters affecting access to water for low-income
households. The court stressed the importance of participatory
democracy, emphasizing that local government decisions
affecting access to basic services must involve meaningful
consultation with affected communities. This reflects the
transformative principle of ensuring marginalized groups are
actively involved in decision-making processes.
3. Case: Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala (1973) (India):
Principle: Basic structure doctrine and the limitation of
constitutional amendments. While not directly associated
with transformative constitutionalism, the Kesavananda
Bharati case in India introduced the concept of the "basic
