Declaration of the Conference for Democratic Renewal and Change

The Declaration of the Conference for Democratic Renewal and Change, adopted on 2 July 2022, asserts that South Africa's constitutional democracy is under threat from corruption and state capture. It proposes a 'new politics' based on social and climate justice and outlines a programme of action focusing on electoral reform, public service professionalisation, and the implementation of the Zondo Commission's recommendations. The document resolves to transform the 'Defend our Democracy Campaign' into a popular movement to oversee these goals.

• The South African Constitution is currently under direct threat from corrupt forces and activities that oppose the rule of law and democratic rule.
• State capture, organized criminal syndicates, and corruption over the last decade have weakened democracy and hindered the state's ability to ensure citizens live in dignity, a reality confirmed by the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
• The current closed party list electoral system is viewed as a barrier to accountability, as it results in a parliament populated by members accountable to their parties rather than the public.
• The coalition advocates for a new economic model characterized by inclusive growth, empathy, solidarity, and both social and climate justice to address inherited apartheid-era inequality, poverty, and joblessness.
• The document calls for the end of 'cadre deployment' in the public service, intelligence, and security services, arguing it has led to the appointment of inept officials and the politicization of state-owned entities (SOEs).
• The programme of action includes pressuring the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute those identified by the Zondo Commission and supporting the establishment of an independent Anti-Corruption Agency in South Africa.
• The 'Defend our Democracy Campaign' will be transformed into a flexible popular movement that will not contest elections but will implement the conference's programme of action.

APA

Public Affairs Research Institute (2022). Declaration of the Conference for Democratic Renewal and Change. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Final-declaration-Conference-for-Democratic-Renewal-and-Change.doc.pdf

Chicago

Public Affairs Research Institute. Declaration of the Conference for Democratic Renewal and Change. 2022. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Final-declaration-Conference-for-Democratic-Renewal-and-Change.doc.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Public Affairs Research Institute |title=Declaration of the Conference for Democratic Renewal and Change |date=2 July 2022 |url=https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Final-declaration-Conference-for-Democratic-Renewal-and-Change.doc.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{publicaffairsresearchinstitute2022declaration, author = {{Public Affairs Research Institute}}, title = {{Declaration of the Conference for Democratic Renewal and Change}}, publisher = {Public Affairs Research Institute}, year = {2022}, month = jul, url = {https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Final-declaration-Conference-for-Democratic-Renewal-and-Change.doc.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }