Framing of the right to development policy in the context of South Africa

Abstract

The Declaration on the Right to Development (DRTD) makes provision for the creation of domestic policies for state parties. The manner in which the domestic policy is framed in this regard could give meaning and significance to the provisions of the right to development (RTD). This article seeks to explore the framing of the policy on the RTD in South Africa with reference to the importance of inscribing the RTD in the country’s domestic policies. It should be noted that the article does not question whether the policies can be implemented but rather taps into how policies are framed as a means to elicit meaning in the interaction between the state (state party) and people (rights holders). The article will argue that the framing of the RTD in South Africa’s national policies is inadequate and falls short of depicting the RTD as indivisible.