PORTFOLIO
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 - DUE
10 November 2025
[Document subtitle]
[School]
[Course title]
, SJD1501 Assignment 7 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE 10
November 2025
Course
Social Dimension of Justice (SJD1501)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Social Dimensions of Law and Justice
SJD1501 Assignment 7 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE 10 November
2025; 100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
Compile a document of no less than 2500 words in which you reflect on the issues below. 1. In
the case of H v W, Judge Nigel Willis had this to s
I. Introduction
The case of H v W (2013) [12/10142] ZAGPJHC 1 stands as a pivotal moment in South African
jurisprudence, particularly concerning the intersection of defamation law and the evolving
landscape of social media. Presided over by Judge Nigel Willis in the South Gauteng High Court,
this case delved into the complexities of online defamation, the right to dignity, and the
necessity for the law to adapt to technological and societal changes. Judge Willis's assertion that
"the law has to take into account changing realities not only technologically but also socially, or
else it will lose credibility in the eyes of the people" underscores the dynamic nature of legal
interpretation in the digital age.
This reflection aims to dissect the case's implications, exploring the legal principles involved, the
role of social media in modern defamation, and the broader societal and ethical considerations.
By examining the judgment's nuances, we can better understand how the South African legal
system navigates the challenges posed by new communication platforms and the evolving
expectations of privacy and reputation in the digital realm.
II. Case Background and Legal Context
The dispute in H v W revolved around a Facebook post made by the respondent, W, which the
applicant, H, contended was defamatory. The post alleged that H was a negligent father who