E-WASTE ASSESSMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA - e-Waste. This guide

6. Results of E-Waste Assessment6.1 Structural framework / System ParametersTable 1: System ParametersSYSTEMPOLITICS &LEGISLATIONSUB-CATEGORIESINDICATOR UNIT VALUE / QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTIONPolitical system Political system [-] ― South Africa, is a sovereign, secular, democratic Republic with aParliamentary system of Government. The South Africa polity is governed interms of the Constitution, which came into force on 3 February 1996.Sustainability inpoliticsCivil and politicalliberties―The President is the head of government working through a MinisterialCabinet. The Cabinet and President are collectively responsible to theParliament.― The Parliament is elected by the citizens of South Africa. It is the legislativeauthority of South Africa and has the power to make laws for the country inaccordance with the Constitution. It consists of the National Assembly and theNational Council of Provinces (NCOP).Sustainable thinking in politics [-] ─ Various movements and groups in South Africa have mobilised around diversecauses, including democratic and human rights issues, equity and equality,environmental justice and sustainability and development. These movementshave become more powerful and prominent since the new democraticdispensation in 1994.─ A strong supporter of the UNEP, South Africa is a signatory of the BaselConvention, Kyoto Protocol and several other global treaties for protecting theenvironment.Civil and political liberties [-] Index 1 - 7 5.5 (for 2001)1 – 2.5 = free, 3 – 5.5 = partly free, 5.5 – 7 = not free)Reference: www.freedomhouse.org, via www.nationmaster.com, average of twoindicators - civil liberties and political liberties;Legal framework Legal framework [-] ─ The South African legal framework is based on English common law─The Department of Environment Agriculture and Tourism (DEAT) is thenational government department responsible for the planning, promotion andcoordination of all environmental programmes and related policy formulation.The powers are disseminated to the provincial level through their respectiveenvironmental departments.10