CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS

South Africa, alongside other constitutional democracies, recognises the importance of political parties. The founding provisions of the Constitution mention that South Africa is a sovereign, democratic State, founded on the values of universal adult suffrage, a national common voters roll, regular elections and “a multi-party system of democratic government”. Political parties as such, play a beneficial role within South Africa’s constitutional democracy. 

It stands to reason that political parties are not homogenous but are nonetheless united in their quest to acquire and exercise political power. But what happens when the practices and conduct of political parties are found wanting, resulting in an apparent existential intra-party crisis?

While there is an obvious distinction between political parties and the State, however, South Africa’s democracy is highly dependent on political parties. Moreso at provincial and national level, political parties are voted in – rather than individuals – and it is these members of political parties who then become the Executive. The Executive, in terms of the Constitution, is tasked with ensuring good governance through quality service delivery while realising the aspirations of the nation as a whole.