Thesis (M.A.(Political Studies))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, 2002. / In March 2000, the South African Human Rights Commission launched an inquiry into racism in the South African media. This dissertation discusses a number of issues that were neglected during the Commission’s inquiry. The main argument has been that the discussion about racism in the media could have been much more fruitful if the Commission in their research as well as during the hearings themselves would have focused on a wider set of factors that influence media content. Furthermore, if the Commission had shown a greater understanding of the historically troublesome relationship between the media and the government in South Africa it would have facilitated interaction with the media and done less to alienate the media from the process.

Thesis (M.H.C.S. (Historical and Heritage Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Magister Legum - LLM (Public Law and Jurisprudence) / Foreign nationals regularly finds themselves seeking refuge in a host country such as South Africa. One would expect that due to comprehensive legislation ranging from national to international level, foreign nationals would be received in conditions appropriate to their circumstances. However, whether that is in fact the case remains to be a matter of great controversy. The main purpose of this study is to determine whether or not the South African refugee status determination process is legally compliant with its obligations under domestic, regional and international human rights law. By focusing on the refugee status determination process it could best be determined whether the process is legally compliant with the applicable legislative provisions by focusing on what occurs during the application for refugee status in practice. The research question will be answered by focusing on domestic, regional and international legislative provisions, case law, journal articles and academic textbooks amongst other sources. The primary legislative obligation that South Africa has towards asylum seekers is to provide protection to those in genuine need thereof, which requires that the country must refrain from violating their human rights. However the study has revealed that even though South Africa portrays a strong will to protect the rights of asylum seekers, the country still has a long way to go before it is actually achieved. Numerous of asylum seekers still finds it challenging to apply for asylum and to simultaneously enjoy constitutionally guaranteed human rights within the territory of South Africa. Research has established that although South Africa aims to ensure that its asylum system complies with its obligations towards asylum seekers under domestic, regional and international human rights law, there however remains multiple of instances where the country is still in violation of multiple human rights of asylum seekers.

This research examined the legal nature of the presumption of guilt created by section 235(2) of the South African Tax Admiration Act and considered whether or not its practical application violates the taxpayer’s fundamental right contained in section 35(3) of the Constitution, which gives every accused taxpayer the right to a fair trial, including the right to be presumed innocent. The research also provided clarity on the constitutionality of this presumption because it has been widely criticised for unjustifiably violating the taxpayer's constitutional right to a fair trial. The conclusion reached is that the presumption created by section 235(2) of the Tax Administration Act constitutes an evidentiary burden rather than a reverse onus. It does not create the possibility of conviction, unlike a reverse onus where conviction is possible, despite the existence of a reasonable doubt. Therefore, it does not violate the accused taxpayer’s the right to a fair trial and the right to be presumed innocent and hence it is constitutional. Accordingly, the chances that the accused taxpayer will succeed in challenging the constitutionality of section 235(2) of the Act are slim.

Most black rural schools in South Africa are beset with discipline and relationship problems attributed to the way children interpret and exercise their rights. Children's misconceptions of rights impede the operation of educational institutions. A literature study investigated the implications of children's rights on their relationships and behaviour. A qualitative investigation of the socio-educative implications of children's rights was conducted in two rural secondary schools in Mpumalanga. Data gathering was done through participant observation, in-depth interviews with two principals and a tribal chief, and focus group interviews with two groups of teachers, parents and learners. Data were analysed, discussed and synthesised. The major findings emerged: limited understanding of rights and concomitant responsibilities and misconceptions of rights leading to the subversion of authority and morality. Recommendations include that rights-education be introduced in schools to improve children's understanding ofrights and to address negative social behaviour. Educators need to be empowered to handle human rights issues within socio-educational institutions. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)