Quote of the week

Such traditions that are culturally embedded in the white, male, Afrikaans culture and history, which are the basis of the Nagligte traditions, do not foster inclusion of other groups that must now form the new majority of the SU student body. Wilgenhoffers do not seem to appreciate the negative impact of their culture and rituals on the personal rights of certain individuals. This is because they elevate belonging to the Wilgenhof group above the rights of the individual.

Report of independent panel on abuses in Wilgenhof men's residence, University of Stellenbosch
25 March 2022

Sections 46(1)(d) and 105(1)(d) respectively provide that the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures consist of women and men elected in terms of an electoral system that “results, in general, in proportional representation”.  The respondents argued that this refers to an exclusive party proportional representation system.  OUTA argued, correctly in my view, that proportionality does not equal exclusive party proportional representation.  The idea of proportional representation is not inconsonant with independent candidate representation.  These sections make no reference to party proportional representation, let alone exclusive party proportional representation.  The focus of the sections is on the “result”: whoever the participants may be, the system must be one that “results, in general, in proportional representation”.

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