Democracy
Democracy = Society where the people have a say in how the country is run. It is a political
state where the people governing a country are chosen by the majority of the people in the
country. The position of power is temporary and it is able to change every five years when
the country holds an election.
Democracy means: Rule of the people
Birthplace of democracy: Ancient Athens, Greece
Modern democracies divide power into 3 branches:
Legislature, people who make the law
Executive, people who make sure that you obey the law
Judiciary, people who judge you if you commit a crime
These 3 are independent
1994 - End of Apartheid regime and start of democratic South Africa
Democratic state - based on the premise of equality for everyone
Key Characteristics of a Democracy
• Free and Fair Elections
All South African citizens 18 or older have the right to vote without fear or
intimidation
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) - independent body created by
Constitution to manage free and fair elections
• Majority rule
Political party that receives largest % of votes governs the country
Any change to the Constitution must be supported by more than two-thirds of the
representatives in parliament
• Citizens have rights
Bill of Rights
Responsibilities that comes with these rights
Six Key Features of a Democracy
1. Respect for basic human rights
2. Multiparty political system - ensures
choice for voters
3. Democratic voting system
4. Respect for the rule of law
5. Democratic governance
6. Citizen participation
, How does democracy work in South Africa?
Constitution
South Africa has a constitutional democracy
End of Apartheid = need to establish system that upholds human rights, dignity,
freedom and equality = The Constitution
Supreme law of the country and no government
elected can supersede this without more than
two-thirds of the vote by the representatives in
parliament
South African Constitution = widely regarded as one of the world’s most progressive
constitutions
Contains 14 chapters
Chapter 2 contains the Bill of Rights which is widely considered to be the
cornerstone of our democracy
Governance
Governance = Way in which the country is run
Co-operative governance = there must be co-operating between the different levels of
government
The department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs describes part of
its vision as being an integrated, responsive and highly effective governance system,
with the inclusion of communities to achieve sustainable development and improved
service delivery
The Petition Process
Various processions and procedures ensure the public are aware of how to make
their voices heard, in a manner that is recognized and respected
According to the Constitution, “Everyone has there right, peacefully and unarmed, to
assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions”
Petition = document compiled to create awareness of something that the public would like to
change. It is typed a certain format and signed by members of the public to illustrate their
support
Democracy = Society where the people have a say in how the country is run. It is a political
state where the people governing a country are chosen by the majority of the people in the
country. The position of power is temporary and it is able to change every five years when
the country holds an election.
Democracy means: Rule of the people
Birthplace of democracy: Ancient Athens, Greece
Modern democracies divide power into 3 branches:
Legislature, people who make the law
Executive, people who make sure that you obey the law
Judiciary, people who judge you if you commit a crime
These 3 are independent
1994 - End of Apartheid regime and start of democratic South Africa
Democratic state - based on the premise of equality for everyone
Key Characteristics of a Democracy
• Free and Fair Elections
All South African citizens 18 or older have the right to vote without fear or
intimidation
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) - independent body created by
Constitution to manage free and fair elections
• Majority rule
Political party that receives largest % of votes governs the country
Any change to the Constitution must be supported by more than two-thirds of the
representatives in parliament
• Citizens have rights
Bill of Rights
Responsibilities that comes with these rights
Six Key Features of a Democracy
1. Respect for basic human rights
2. Multiparty political system - ensures
choice for voters
3. Democratic voting system
4. Respect for the rule of law
5. Democratic governance
6. Citizen participation
, How does democracy work in South Africa?
Constitution
South Africa has a constitutional democracy
End of Apartheid = need to establish system that upholds human rights, dignity,
freedom and equality = The Constitution
Supreme law of the country and no government
elected can supersede this without more than
two-thirds of the vote by the representatives in
parliament
South African Constitution = widely regarded as one of the world’s most progressive
constitutions
Contains 14 chapters
Chapter 2 contains the Bill of Rights which is widely considered to be the
cornerstone of our democracy
Governance
Governance = Way in which the country is run
Co-operative governance = there must be co-operating between the different levels of
government
The department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs describes part of
its vision as being an integrated, responsive and highly effective governance system,
with the inclusion of communities to achieve sustainable development and improved
service delivery
The Petition Process
Various processions and procedures ensure the public are aware of how to make
their voices heard, in a manner that is recognized and respected
According to the Constitution, “Everyone has there right, peacefully and unarmed, to
assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions”
Petition = document compiled to create awareness of something that the public would like to
change. It is typed a certain format and signed by members of the public to illustrate their
support
