lecture recording on 12 March 2025 at 11.26.07 AM

Historical Context of Legal Principles

• Legal principles are shaped by various historical contexts.

• The timeframe discussed spans from 1652 up to apartheid in South Africa.

Early Years (1652 Onwards)

• 1652 marks a significant point in South African history with the establishment of Cape Colony by the Dutch.

• This era laid foundational legal principles which were influenced by colonial rule.

Period of Apartheid

• Apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination, had profound effects on legal principles.

• During apartheid:

  • Laws were enacted to enforce racial segregation.

  • Legal principles were selectively applied based on race, leading to injustice for non-white South Africans.

Evolution of Legal Reporting

• Legal reporting during these historical phases reflects the dominant ideologies and injustices of the time.

• Documentation can vary, depending on the social and political climate in each period.

• It is essential to analyze legal principles in light of their historical evolution to understand their current implications.