This study explores and critiques law and law making in the nascent constitutional democracy in the new South Africa, with a focus on the complex roles of the executive, parliament, political parties, the media and civil society. The capacity and potential in the judiciary and the legal profession in promoting and protecting values and rights of equality and non-discrimination is examined. Substantive equality and non-discrimination law in theory and in practice is considered critically, from a broad historical and social context that highlights areas of race, gender, disability, harassment and hate speech, socio-economic rights, and legal services. International human rights law and comparative law aspects are skillfully interwoven in this pioneering scholarly work.