DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION In a democracy, it is your right and responsibility to take part in the decisions about matters that affect you

Public participation involves people in thinking, deciding, planning and playing an active part in developing and operating services that affect their lives People can participate as individuals, interest groups or communities People have a right to be informed, involved and consulted about matters that affect their lives

YOU PARTICIPATE PUBLICLY IF YOU: Stand for elections Hold and attend community meetings Join civil and political organisations Vote in elections Pay taxes Protest and petition

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT: Makes sure that leaders do not abuse their power Ensures that the public’s needs, concerns and views are taken into account when decisions are made Helps to inform government about what citizens want and need in their country Helps to see that things get done

Public participation and Petition One way in which the public can exercise its right to participate in government is through submitting a petition to Parliament or to the Provincial or Local government A petition is a formal request asking the government to do something about a matter Public participation and Petition

GOVERNANCE Governance is the way that a country, city, company or organisation is controlled or managed by the people who run it

The Constitution states that the country must be run on a system of co-operative governance. This means that various levels of government must work together. Also, citizens are allowed to have a say in policymaking and service delivery

Good governance: Allows people to participate and keeps them informed Is transparent, providing information that is clear and complete Delivers basic human rights Is efficient and effective Produces results in an reasonable time frame Protects the environment Takes responsibility for its actions and decisions

LAW-MAKING PROCESS The public should have the opportunity to comment on new laws before they are passed and approved

RULE OF LAW All citizens of a country have to follow its laws, no matter how powerful the people are The government must run the country according to laws and the Constitution

The following five principles define the rule of law: A government that is accountable An absence of corruption Security and order, and fundamental rights. An open government that enforces laws and regulations. Access to justice

TRANSPARENCY Transparency means that government must be open to the public and not try to hide its actions Government must provide the public with information that is correct, understandable and easy to obtain.

Why is transparency necessary? The public can check up on what people in authority are doing There are no hidden interests and agendas, which means that people don’t have plans that they keep secret People can get the information they need to participate in the democratic process

REPRESENTATION Elections allow you to choose people whom you would like to speak or act for you. These elected people represent you. You can participate by voting to make sure the people in authority represent your interests.

Two types of representation: Proportional representation: Parties get a certain number of seats in Parliament according to the percentage of votes they get in an election. Constituency-based representation: The country is divided up into voting areas called constituencies. Each political party chooses one candidate to represent the party in each constituency. People vote for their chosen candidate. Only the candidate who gets the most votes in that constituency to parliament.

ACCOUNTABILITY Those in power or authority must take responsibility for their actions, performance and decisions Explain and give reasons why they have done or not done certain things. Provide proof of how they have spent money. Keep their promises.

TOLERANCE Everyone should be allowed to express their opinions and join the political, religious or civil groups of their choice.

REGULAR, FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS Elections must be held regularly, be free and fair, without intimidation, corruption and threats been made to the public before or during elections

CONTROLLING ABUSE OF POWER There should be ways to prevent government officials from abusing their powers

EQUALITY All people should be treated equally without discrimination and be given equal opportunities

ACCEPTING THE RESULTS OF ELECTIONS When a political party loses an election, its supporters must accept this result and not resort to violence to change the outcome

ECONOMIC FREEDOM The government should not be in total control of the economy People must be able to privately own property and business, choose their own type of work and join labour unions

MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM More than one political party must be allowed to participate in elections and play a role in government

HUMAN RIGHTS The rights of individuals should be protected