A common call is for education in emerging as well as settled democracies to educate young and not so young learners to become responsible, participatory, and reflective citizens. These calls are based on the assumption that education can play a significant role in educating the youth for citizenship. In this manner education can contribute to the building of a united, peaceful, and democratic country. This paper begins by sketching in brief what education for democracy entails with reference to international and South African literature. The paper discusses several of the important policy documents and initiatives to instill this vision of education in a new democracy, namely in South Africa. Finally, it considers some of the challenges and potential advantages facing this country, with particular reference to the micro-interaction at the classroom level. (Contains 34 references.) (BT)