South Africa’s constitution at 30: from promise to practice
Local government elections will reflect voters’ sentiment on how the country has progressed from constitutional promises to delivery.
Date: 2026-10-06
Time: 09:00 to 13:00
Venue: Online via Zoom and in-person at The Capital Menlyn Maine, Pretoria
Thirty years since South Africa adopted its post-apartheid constitution and transformative bill of rights, the gap between promise and lived reality remains wide. Inequality, unemployment and violence persist, while anti-immigrant protests and declining public trust in institutions reflect a populace dissatisfied with the country’s trajectory.
In just over a month, local government elections will provide a barometer of South Africa’s political and economic governance. Speakers at this seminar will take stock of the past 30 years and discuss how to strengthen democracy and promote accountability.
Space for in-person attendance is limited to the first 100 people who reply.
This event is co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the Embassy of Finland to South Africa and the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa.
Moderators:
- Senzekile Bengu, Researcher, ISS
- Ottilia Anna Maunganidze, Head, Special Projects, ISS
- Dr Sithembile Mbete, Executive Director, Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI)
Speakers:
- HE Pekka Metso, Ambassador of Finland to South Africa
- HE Kristian Schmidt, Ambassador of the EU to South Africa
- Mmamoloko Kubayi, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, SA (TBC)
Panelists:
- Asafika Mpako, Researcher, Afrobarometer
- Chrissy Dube, Independent Consultant and Governance Expert
- Lizette Lancaster, Head, Justice and Violence Prevention Programme, ISS
- Mark Hayward, Adjunct Professor, Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town
- Patrick Kulati, Author and Governance Expert
- Yunus Chamda, Joburg Crisis Alliance, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
