“The requirement of fair representation emphasises that the Constitution does not envisage a mathematical form of democracy, where the winner takes all until the next vote-counting exercise occurs. Rather, it contemplates a pluralistic democracy where continuous respect is given to the rights of all to be heard and have their views considered.” – Justice Albie Sachs
1. The Centre for Constitutional Rights (the CFCR) is a unit of the FW de Klerk Foundation – a non-profit organisation dedicated to upholding the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution). To this end, the Centre seeks to promote the values, rights and principles provided in the Constitution, to monitor developments including policy and draft legislation that might affect the Constitution and the values, rights or principles provided therein, to inform people and organisations of their constitutional rights and to assist them in claiming their rights.
The right to vote is one of the most basic and fundamental rights in a democracy. It is the primary manner in which citizens exercise their right to choose those who must represent them. It is also the primary manner in which citizens can influence the quality of government – in other words the responsiveness, transparency and accountability of those elected to serve the people as their representatives.
For many people in South Africa the payment of social grants by the state is essential for survival. Indeed, almost 16 million South Africans depend on social grants, which constitute the principle source of income for the bottom 30% of our population. Given that the ideals of dignity, freedom and equality form the core values of our Constitution and the fact that so many vulnerable South Africans have no other financial recourse but social grants, it is imperative that the process making this possible is not only untainted and transparent, but also that it is managed in a sound manner and that those who administer it are properly accountable.
The Centre for Constitutional Rights (CFCR) welcomes the launch of the Public Service Charter (the Charter) by the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Lindiwe Sisulu, and commends the Minister for this initiative, which will hopefully serve to make public administration and the public service more accountable, transparent and responsive.
