What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the development and sustainability of constitutional democracy in South Africa over the past twenty years.

May 25, 2026Open Access

Twenty years of constitutional democracy

Key Points

To evaluate the development and sustainability of constitutional democracy in South Africa over the past twenty years.
Analysis of historical and political contexts affecting constitutional democracy.
Review of accountability and transparency measures by the state.
Evaluation of the progress made in citizen rights and obligations.
Significant progress noted in state accountability and transparency towards citizens.
Long-term sustainable inroads into the culture of constitutional democracy recognized.
Ongoing challenges in entrenching this democracy remain evident.

Abstract

Despite South Africa's achievement in creating this new constitution, enshrining both rights and obligations, the past 19 years have not been easy, as South Africa has struggled to entrench a culture of constitutional democracy. The journey through transformative constitutionalism is being undertaken against the backdrop of a profoundly complex and dividend historical and political context. Despite this, democracy under the supreme law has made some long-term and arguably sustainable inroads. South Africa has made significant progress in ensuring that the state is both accountable and transparent to its citizens. However, it continues to face many difficult in its twentieth year of democracy.

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