An overview of public interest litigation initiated by social movements in South Africa

A variety of South African social movements have been active in driving social change, both during the anti-apartheid struggle and during the past 25 years of our constitutional democracy. Some of this activism has resulted in public interest litigation that addresses historical disparities. A selection of cases is used to illustrate the role of social movements in initiating public interest litigation in the South African courts, as well as an emerging jurisprudence around class actions. However, the limitations of the law should be recognized and litigation should not be seen as the only means of lawful political and socio-economic struggle.