, DPR3702 Assignment 1
Semester 2
UNIT 1: PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICE IN CAMPAIGN ORGANISATIONS AND
PRESSURE GROUPS In learning unit 1, you learnt about public relations in campaign
organisations and pressure groups and different tactics used to practise public relations
in this context. According to Fourie and Cant (2017:236), “to plan and manage PR
campaigns effectively, it is necessary for the practitioner to evaluate the context and
industry that PR takes place in, since it can differ from organisation to organisation”.
Using this background and the knowledge you gained, answer the questions and apply
your answers to the practical task below. QUESTION 1: PUBLIC RELATONS IN
CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION AND PRESSURE GROUPS 1.1 You have been appointed by
the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC), whose
mandate is to ensure that the Constitution of South Africa is advanced and not violated
by any state institution. Using the description by Tech and Yeomans (2009), discuss why
CASAC is classified as a campaign organisation. Do not reproduce the definition of a
campaign organisation from the content but use the aspects of the definition to answer
this question. (5)
To answer the question regarding why the Council for the Advancement of the South African
Constitution (CASAC) is classified as a campaign organisation, we can refer to the aspects
outlined by Tech and Yeomans (2009). While I won't reproduce the exact definition, so highlight
the key characteristics that classify CASAC as a campaign organisation:
1. Purpose and Mission: CASAC's primary mission is to ensure that the South African
Constitution is upheld and not violated by any state institution. This clear and focused
objective aligns with the nature of campaign organisations, which are typically driven by
a specific cause or mission.
2. Advocacy and Activism: Campaign organisations are often involved in advocacy and
activism to promote their cause. CASAC engages in activities to advance the
Constitution, including lobbying, public education, and legal actions to hold state
institutions accountable.
3. Public Engagement: A key aspect of campaign organisations is their effort to engage
the public and raise awareness about their cause. CASAC conducts public campaigns,
seminars, and discussions to inform and mobilise citizens about constitutional issues
and their rights.
4. Strategic Communication: Campaign organisations utilise strategic communication to
influence public opinion and policy. CASAC uses various communication tactics,
, including media releases, social media, and partnerships with other civil society
organisations, to disseminate their message and garner support.
5. Monitoring and Accountability: Campaign organisations often monitor and evaluate
the actions of relevant entities to ensure compliance with their objectives. CASAC
actively monitors the activities of state institutions and reports any constitutional
violations, thereby fulfilling a watchdog role.
By considering these aspects, we can see that CASAC's focused mission, advocacy efforts,
public engagement, strategic communication, and monitoring activities classify it as a campaign
organisation. This classification helps to understand its operational strategies and the context in
which it practices public relations.
References
● Fourie, L., & Cant, M. (2017). Public Relations: Theory and Practice. Juta.
● Tech, H., & Yeomans, L. (2009). Exploring Public Relations. Pearson.
1.2 Identify two actions taken by CASAC as a campaign organisation in the past 5 years
to advance their strategic objectives. In your discussion mention the action and the steps
CASAC took to make sure the issue was resolved. (8)
To address the strategic objectives of advancing and protecting the South African Constitution,
the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) has undertaken
several significant actions. Here are two notable actions taken by CASAC in the past five years:
Action 1: Challenging the Appointment of Shaun Abrahams as National
Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP)
Action Taken: CASAC challenged the appointment of Shaun Abrahams as the NDPP, arguing
that his appointment was invalid due to the improper dismissal of his predecessor.
Steps Taken:
1. Legal Action: CASAC filed a legal challenge in the High Court, asserting that the
dismissal of Mxolisi Nxasana, the previous NDPP, was unlawful and that Shaun
Abrahams' appointment was therefore invalid.
2. Court Proceedings: CASAC presented their case, arguing that Nxasana’s dismissal
was politically motivated and compromised the independence of the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
3. High Court Ruling: The High Court ruled in favor of CASAC, stating that Nxasana's
dismissal was indeed unlawful and invalidating Abrahams’ appointment.
4. Constitutional Court Appeal: The case was eventually taken to the Constitutional
Court, which upheld the High Court's decision. The Constitutional Court confirmed that
Nxasana’s dismissal was unlawful and that Abrahams’ appointment was invalid.
Semester 2
UNIT 1: PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICE IN CAMPAIGN ORGANISATIONS AND
PRESSURE GROUPS In learning unit 1, you learnt about public relations in campaign
organisations and pressure groups and different tactics used to practise public relations
in this context. According to Fourie and Cant (2017:236), “to plan and manage PR
campaigns effectively, it is necessary for the practitioner to evaluate the context and
industry that PR takes place in, since it can differ from organisation to organisation”.
Using this background and the knowledge you gained, answer the questions and apply
your answers to the practical task below. QUESTION 1: PUBLIC RELATONS IN
CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION AND PRESSURE GROUPS 1.1 You have been appointed by
the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC), whose
mandate is to ensure that the Constitution of South Africa is advanced and not violated
by any state institution. Using the description by Tech and Yeomans (2009), discuss why
CASAC is classified as a campaign organisation. Do not reproduce the definition of a
campaign organisation from the content but use the aspects of the definition to answer
this question. (5)
To answer the question regarding why the Council for the Advancement of the South African
Constitution (CASAC) is classified as a campaign organisation, we can refer to the aspects
outlined by Tech and Yeomans (2009). While I won't reproduce the exact definition, so highlight
the key characteristics that classify CASAC as a campaign organisation:
1. Purpose and Mission: CASAC's primary mission is to ensure that the South African
Constitution is upheld and not violated by any state institution. This clear and focused
objective aligns with the nature of campaign organisations, which are typically driven by
a specific cause or mission.
2. Advocacy and Activism: Campaign organisations are often involved in advocacy and
activism to promote their cause. CASAC engages in activities to advance the
Constitution, including lobbying, public education, and legal actions to hold state
institutions accountable.
3. Public Engagement: A key aspect of campaign organisations is their effort to engage
the public and raise awareness about their cause. CASAC conducts public campaigns,
seminars, and discussions to inform and mobilise citizens about constitutional issues
and their rights.
4. Strategic Communication: Campaign organisations utilise strategic communication to
influence public opinion and policy. CASAC uses various communication tactics,
, including media releases, social media, and partnerships with other civil society
organisations, to disseminate their message and garner support.
5. Monitoring and Accountability: Campaign organisations often monitor and evaluate
the actions of relevant entities to ensure compliance with their objectives. CASAC
actively monitors the activities of state institutions and reports any constitutional
violations, thereby fulfilling a watchdog role.
By considering these aspects, we can see that CASAC's focused mission, advocacy efforts,
public engagement, strategic communication, and monitoring activities classify it as a campaign
organisation. This classification helps to understand its operational strategies and the context in
which it practices public relations.
References
● Fourie, L., & Cant, M. (2017). Public Relations: Theory and Practice. Juta.
● Tech, H., & Yeomans, L. (2009). Exploring Public Relations. Pearson.
1.2 Identify two actions taken by CASAC as a campaign organisation in the past 5 years
to advance their strategic objectives. In your discussion mention the action and the steps
CASAC took to make sure the issue was resolved. (8)
To address the strategic objectives of advancing and protecting the South African Constitution,
the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) has undertaken
several significant actions. Here are two notable actions taken by CASAC in the past five years:
Action 1: Challenging the Appointment of Shaun Abrahams as National
Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP)
Action Taken: CASAC challenged the appointment of Shaun Abrahams as the NDPP, arguing
that his appointment was invalid due to the improper dismissal of his predecessor.
Steps Taken:
1. Legal Action: CASAC filed a legal challenge in the High Court, asserting that the
dismissal of Mxolisi Nxasana, the previous NDPP, was unlawful and that Shaun
Abrahams' appointment was therefore invalid.
2. Court Proceedings: CASAC presented their case, arguing that Nxasana’s dismissal
was politically motivated and compromised the independence of the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
3. High Court Ruling: The High Court ruled in favor of CASAC, stating that Nxasana's
dismissal was indeed unlawful and invalidating Abrahams’ appointment.
4. Constitutional Court Appeal: The case was eventually taken to the Constitutional
Court, which upheld the High Court's decision. The Constitutional Court confirmed that
Nxasana’s dismissal was unlawful and that Abrahams’ appointment was invalid.
