Directorate: Curriculum FET

SUBJECT and GRADE Life Orientation Grade 11

TERM 1 WEEK SEVEN
TOPIC Democracy and Human Rights
AIMS OF LESSON At the end of the lesson the learner must be able to:

• Investigate the principles, processes, and procedures for democratic participation:

- Public participation in democratic structures and petition processes
- Governance, law-making process

• Define the following concepts, know the importance and benefits thereof:
- Transparency, representation and accountability
RESOURCES Paper based resources Digital resources
• Approved textbooks. QR code
• Work sheets https://youtu.be/IZDd2v18vfw
https://www.parliament.gov.za/how-law-made
INTRODUCTION In grade 10 you developed an understanding of diversity, discrimination, and violation of human rights in different
context.
• This lesson is the start of a series of lessons on Democracy and Human Rights, where we will specifically deal with the
principles, processes and procedures for constitutional democratic participation, democratic structures and the role
of sport in nation building.
• A democratic society is one in which all of us are treated fairly and equally and have the opportunity to participate in
the process off government.
CONCEPTS AND SKILLS Democracy: Majority rules. We have a say in how we are The Importance of Laws:
ruled, through a free and fair election process. The chosen
parliament should represent the people of that country. • Laws are needed to guide citizens and to reduce chaos
Why should Public participation: We participate in civil societies and • Laws are there to protect and guide citizens
you get involved have our say with regard to how our country is run. Public • A systematic and lengthy process is followed
in governance participation can include petitioning, voting, protesting, • A law cannot be passed if it did not receive support
keeping yourself and others informed and attending local, from the public
provincial or national gatherings
 Law: A rule of conduct developed by the • Different sections of government are involved
To build the kind of government. Law follows certain practices and customs in order • Law making is a joint effort
political system and to deal with crime, business, social relationships, property,
government that you finance, etc. South Africa, as a constitutional democracy, and has
Governance: How laws are implemented. It is also describing the three tiers of government and a self-governing judicial
want.
processes and systems that a government put in place to govern system. (more abut this in the next lesson)
a country and to use its authority.
Did you know?
Rule of Law: No one is above the law. Everyone must obey the
law of a democratic country (even the President). If any person NATIONAL
The Constitution is breaks the law, they must be held accountable.
the supreme law Transparency: The people in the country must be aware of what
of South Africa. is happening. For a government to be transparent there needs to PROVINCIAL
be public meeting and gatherings in order for the citizens of a
country to know what is happening.
Accountability: In a democracy, elected leaders / officials need LOCAL
Complete:
to be accountable to the people for their actions. (in other
words, they are responsible and liable if anything goes wrong)-
The Government Gazette
this is in the context of a democracy
is………………………………………
Representation: We all have the right to be represented. The
………………………………………...
people vote for who they wish to represent them in government.
………………………………………..
These people (delegates) become part of Parliament
Public participation in democratic structures and petition processes:

FORM OF PARTICIPATION ROLE/WHAT THEY DO

Petitions This is a formal request or written complaint for members of parliament to act against
something. There are certain guidelines that need to be followed when submitting a
petition. But anyone can draw up a petition if they feel strongly about an issue. (Include
what you want government to do, a solution)
Community structures These are structures found in your local community. It will include groups such as School
Governing Bodies, Police Forums, Crime Watch associations etc. These people take part
and volunteer their time free of service to improve the local community
Interest groups They are groups that are formed to look after a particular group of people in society, for
example child welfare groups, trade unions, cancer awareness groups. They bring
forward issues between the group they represent and government, and try to come up
and find solutions
 Peaceful Protesting This is one of the ways to get governments attention. Groups of people who feel strongly
about an issue and wants it addressed will often protest in order to be heard by
government.
Involvement in NGO’s They are there to assist where government may not be able to or where assistance is
lacking. NGOs will include places like Hospice, the SPCA
Faith based NGOs include churches and religious groups who better the community the function in, by
In South Africa National providing basic needs and faith-based counselling
elections happens every Elections Voting for the group you would like to see in power, based on their manifesto.
FIVE year.
Governance, Law making process:
To make a law a long process needs to be followed.
This is done in order to protect the citizens of a country. Imagine any person could just make a law as they wished. People
would be discriminated against, and after Apartheid this is exactly what our democratic government is trying to avoid.

Step 1: A new law is proposed, a member of parliament or a citizen of our country can propose a law. This is known as
a BILL

Step 2: The government has their own official publication (like a newsletter of sorts) this is known as the Government
Gazette. The proposed Bill will be published in the government gazette. The public and other departments then have
3 weeks to respond to the Bill

Step 3: After the 3-week period has lapsed the Bill is sent to the National Assembly. If people commented on the Bill,
amendments will be made (changes) The Bill must also be discussed in a public hearing

Step 4: A Committee is formed to research the law and to find out the public’s view on the proposed Bill. Interest
groups that could be affected by the Bill are approached to ask their opinion.

Step 5: The two houses of parliament debates the Bill

Step 6: If the Bill is accepted, it is finalized and sent to the President’s office for his signature. If he signs it, it becomes
an ACT, which means it is now a LAW which will appear in the Government Gazette.
 Rule of Law:

Please see the link / QR code below, for an explanation on the rule of law and its importance:

https://youtu.be/IZDd2v18vfw OR

ACTIVITIES/ASSESSMENT Answer the following exam type questions:

Think about the following:
1. Define the concept ‘Rule of law’ and state TWO benefits of this principle in a democracy. (1 + 2)
Once a law has been
2. Mention THREE ways how individuals or groups can get involved in the law-making process (3 x 1)
made, who do you think
3. Explain what the Government Gazette is and how it is used (1 + 1)
implements this new law
4. Discuss TWO reasons why it is important for the public to take part in the law-making process (2 x 2)
and how.
5. Assess why the following principals is important for a well-functioning democracy: (2 x 2)
• Accountability
• transparency

CONSOLIDATION In 1994, South Africa became a democracy. We as South Africans are protected by the Constitution in all areas of our
lives, and it is our responsibility to treat everyone equally, to look after the environment to protect it for future
generations. Remember, this democracy was hailed as a victory for all its people.

In what is currently happening in South Africa, it is important to remind you again of the importance of the Rule of law:
• it supports the equality of all citizens before the law, not even the president is above the law.
• it secures a nonarbitrary form of government, and
• it in more generally sense it prevents the indiscriminate use of power.

For a successful democracy, we as citizens have the responsibility to ensure that the government does NOT abuse its
power and that it governs in everyone’s interest. If we as public do not participate in the processes and lack interest it
may create the opportunity for the democratically elected politicians to disregard accountability and transparency.
Public participation through petitions/ law-making processes/ voting is vital for building a healthy democracy.

VALUES Hard work, Focused, Responsibility, Perseverance, Persistence, Self-confidence, Self-awareness, Accountability