- Title
- The right of access to information as a means to empower citizens to participate in democratic processes : a case study of Zwelitsha, King Williams Town
- Creator
- Ngcuka, Simtembile
- Subject
- Freedom of information Freedom of information -- South Africa
- Date
- 2018
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- (MPhil)Human Rights
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10839
- Identifier
- vital:35858
- Description
- The Republic of South Africa is embedded from a society that has been beleaguered. Apartheid laws were used to treat people unequally, based on race, gander, ethnic group, background, colour, belief, culture and language. These laws prohibited association of people from different races and groups. The education system was also used to instil inferiority to disadvantaged people. This system promoted a culture of secrecy and unresponsive government. The new Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was adopted in 1996. This Constitution promotes democracy and equality amongst citizens of this country. It was also adopted to bridge injustices of the past. Democracy is about allowing every citizen to participate in the processes which are meant for the development of the country. The new Constitution provided that every citizen is equal; this means every citizen must enjoy equal human Rights. This includes the Right to participate in democratic processes which are taking place. Studies show that the Right of Access to Information empowers people to participate in democratic processes. This study examines the exercise in section 32 of the Republic of South Africa Constitution (1996), by Zwelitsha community as means to empower people in participating in democratic processes taking place in their community. This Right is reinforced by Promotion of Access to Information Act No. 2 of 2000 (PAIA). The research reveals that the community of Zwelitsha is not exercising this Right which often leads to violation of other Rights. The exercise of the Right of Access to Information increases awareness and knowledge of other existing Rights, and how they can be realised and defended. The recommendations in the study underscore the need to promote the Right of Access to Information as a means to empower citizens to participate in the democratic processes in their community. This study will take the community a step closer to reaching equality. It will also educate the community of the need and importance of exercising the Right of Access to Information. It will assist the community to be able to protect other Rights. An informed community is an empowered community that can also hold the state to account.
- Format
- 97 leaves
- Format
- Publisher
- University of Fort Hare
- Publisher
- Faculty of Law
- Language
- English
- Rights
- University of Fort Hare
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UFH Nelson R Mandela School of Law
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | full thesis S.Ngcuka.pdf | 907 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |