Answer:
1Universal suffrage: One of the key characteristics of South Africa's democracy is universal suffrage, meaning that all adult citizens have the right to vote, regardless of race, gender, or other factors. This is a significant departure from the apartheid era, when only a minority of the population was allowed to participate in the political process.
2Multi-party system: South Africa has a multi-party system, which means that there are multiple political parties that compete for power through regular elections. This allows for a diversity of voices and perspectives to be represented in the political process, and helps to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a single party or individual.
3Checks and balances: South Africa's democracy is built on a system of checks and balances, which means that the various branches of government have the power to limit each other's actions. For example, the judiciary has the power to strike down laws that it deems unconstitutional, while the legislature has the power to impeach the president if they engage in corrupt or unethical behavior. These checks and balances help to ensure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful, and that democratic principles are protected.
Overall, these three characteristics help to define South Africa's democracy as a system that values the rights and freedoms of its citizens, allows for political competition and diversity, and ensures that the government is accountable and responsive to the needs of the people.
Step-by-step explanation: