Details

Dissent has become a prominent feature in South African politics lately. Whilst this phenomenon is not new in South African politics, given its apartheid past, it has received a new impetus in the post-democracy dispensation.

Citizens are increasingly becoming vocal about any issue that seems to contradict the ideals espoused in the Constitution. They have gained more courage to speak truth to power, especially with increasing accounts of maladministration, abuse of power, undermining of democracy and constitutionalism by state capture among other things.

However, lately there have been chilling accounts of silencing and suppression of individuals within political parties and in other contexts. Sadly, human lives have also been lost in the process, whilst exercising their constitutional rights of freedom of speech.

The DDP invites you as a citizen to a dialogue, facilitated by Aubrey Matshiqi, a renowned political analyst, in unpacking the current political trends whilst interrogating the concept of dissent in times of political anxiety and what they mean, given the current political context. In preparation for the dialogue, ponder on the following questions:

• When is “speaking out” or “being outspoken” desirable?
• What is the role of dissent in advancing democracy in society?
• How does dissent lead to building a new democratic consensus in a divided post-apartheid South Africa?