The idea that the performance of a constitution can be evaluated is a relatively recent one.

Are there better or worse ways of drafting constitutions for the purposes of achieving desired outcomes? How are we to understand the interaction between particular provisions or elements of a constitution and the concrete realities that unfold after the moment of constitution drafting?

This report focuses on key tensions and stress points that have arisen in the past 20 years within the South African political community as a method of analysing some of the key goals of the Constitution and whether they have been met.

It draws on case law, reports by the government and non-governmental organizations, and other empirical data to assess the performance of the South African Constitution and offers a series of recommendations on potential changes to the Constitution that could help address its shortcomings.

This report is based on a longer study commissioned by International IDEA and prepared by the South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional, Public, Human Rights and International Law, a Centre of the University of Johannesburg.