QwaQwa, Friday, 27 September 2024 – The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), in partnership with the University of the Free State’s QwaQwa campus, is set to unveil the findings of Democracy@30, a groundbreaking study marking 30 years of democracy in South Africa.

The findings will be shared at a two-day public dialogue event, scheduled for Friday, 27 September, and Saturday, 28 September, at the University of the Free State’s QwaQwa Campus, starting at 8h00.

Commissioned by the HSRC and conducted in partnership with the University of the Free State, the study sought to forge connections between historical and contemporary memories, marking 30 years of democracy in South Africa

Titled Democracy@30, the survey aimed to explore and investigate local voices in celebration of South Africa’s democracy at 30 years in 2024.

The objectives of this research initiative are:

• To celebrate and reflect on the 30 years of South African democracy with a particular focus on local communities.
• To explore and document how the lives of ordinary people have changed (for better or worse) in the last 30 years.
• To provide a platform for local communities to take stock of the progress made and reflect on what the next 30 years need to look like to achieve the promised “better life for all”.

The study was conducted from November 2023 to March 2024.

Ends.

Details of the event

Date:                27 and 28 September 2024

Time:               08h00 – 13h00

Venue:             Fulufhelo Gazelle Residence, Qwaqwa Campus (University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus)

For media enquiries:

Dr Lucky Ditaunyane Cell: +27 83 227 6074 Email: lditaunyane@hsrc.ac.za

Adziliwi Nematandani Cell: +27 82 765 9191 Email: anematandani@hsrc.ac.za

Join the conversation:

#Democracy@30

Notes to the editor

About the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

The HSRC was established in 1968 as South Africa’s statutory research agency and has grown to become the largest dedicated research institute in the social sciences and humanities on the African continent, doing cutting-edge public research in areas that are crucial to development.

Our mandate is to inform the effective formulation and monitoring of government policy; to evaluate policy implementation; to stimulate public debate through the effective dissemination of research-based data and fact-based research results; to foster research collaboration; and to help build research capacity and infrastructure for the human sciences.

The Council conducts large-scale, policy-relevant, social-scientific research for public sector users, non-governmental organisations and international development agencies. Its research activities and structures are closely aligned with South Africa’s national development priorities.