Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996

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Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996

PREAMBLE

  • We, the people of South Africa,
  • Recognise the injustices of our past;
  • Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land;
  • Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and
  • Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
  • We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to –
  • Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights;
  • Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on
    the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law;
  • Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; and
  • Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations


May God protect our people.
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso.
God seën Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa.
Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afurika. Hosi katekisa Afrika.

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Name:Constitution of the Republic of South Africa [No. 108 of 1996].
Country:South Africa
Subject(s):Constitutional law
Type of legislation:Constitution
Adopted on:1996-05-08
Entry into force:
Published on:Government Gazette, 1996-12-18, Vol. 378, No. 17678, 147 p.
ISN:ZAF-1996-C-45811
Link:https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_isn=45811&p_lang=en
Bibliography:Government Gazette, 1996-12-18, Vol. 378, No. 17678, 147 p.
Constitutions of the Countries of the World, 2011-10, [Consitution as amended to 2009], Oxford University Press, New York, USA
Constitution  South African Government Information , South Africa PDF of Constitution as amended to the 16th Amendment  (consulted on 2012-03-30)
Constitution on-line  Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa (consulted on 2009-12-21)
Abstract/Citation:Chapter 1: Founding Provisions Chapter 2: Bill of Rights. Provides for freedom of equality (there shall be no discrimination on the grounds of, inter alia, race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion), freedom of privacy, assembly, association, expression, as well as the right to housing, social security, education and a clean environment. Prohibits forced labour. Article 23 ensures workers the right to form and join trade unions and to strike, and employers the right to form and join employers’ organisations and to participate in activities of such bodies. Art. 25 provides for the restitution of land or property to persons who were dispossessed of such through racial discriminatory laws. Art. 37 relates to states of emergency, and provides a table of non-derogable rights. Chapter 3: Co-operative Government Chapter 4: Parliament (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces) Chapter 5: The President and National Executive Chapter 6: Provinces Chapter 7: Local Government Chapter 8: Courts and Administration of Justice. Provides for a Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, and High Courts. Chapter 9: State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy. These include a Public Protector (a type of ombudsman), Human Rights Commission, Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, and a Commission for Gender Equality. Chapter 10: Public Administration Chapter 11: Security Services Chapter 12: Traditional Leaders Chapter 13 : Finance Chapter 14: General Provisions
Repealed text(s):1996-04-16 (ZAF-1996-C-44224)Constitution of South Africa Third Amendment Act, 1996 (No. 26 of 1996).1995-09-20 (ZAF-1995-C-42602)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, 1995 (No. 44 of 1995).1995-07-03 (ZAF-1995-C-41874)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 1995 (No. 20 of 1995).1994-11-17 (ZAF-1994-C-39193)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Fifth Amendment Act, 1994 (No. 29 of 1994) (No. 2003 of 1994)1994-11-17 (ZAF-1994-C-39196)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Sixth Amendment Act, 1994 (No. 24 of 1994) (No. 2013 of 1994)1994-09-16 (ZAF-1994-C-38389)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Fourth Amendment Act, 1994 (No. 14 of 1994) (No. 1600 of 1994)1994-07-14 (ZAF-1994-C-38016)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Third Amendment Act, 1994 (No. 13 of 1994) (No. 1324 of 1994)1994-04-25 (ZAF-1994-L-37681)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, 1994 (No. 3 of 1994) (No. 863 of 1994)1994-03-02 (ZAF-1994-C-36540)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 1994 (No. 2 of 1994)1994-01-25 (ZAF-1994-C-44039)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (No. 200 of 1993).
Amending text(s):2013-02-01 (ZAF-2013-C-94003)Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Act, 2012 [No. 72 of 2013].2003-04-09 (ZAF-2003-C-64012)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, 2003 (No. 3 of 2003).2003-03-19 (ZAF-2003-C-64011)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 2003 (No. 2 of 2003).2002-06-20 (ZAF-2002-L-62421)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 2002 (No. 18).2002-06-19 (ZAF-2002-L-62644)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, 2002 (No. 21 of 2002).2001-12-14 (ZAF-2001-L-61274)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, 2001 (No. 61 of 2001).2001-11-20 (ZAF-2001-L-72773)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 2001 (Act 34 of 2001).1999-03-17 (ZAF-1999-C-53154)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 1999 (No. 3 of 1999).1999-03-17 (ZAF-1999-C-53155)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, 1999 (No. 2 of 1999).1998-10-20 (ZAF-1998-C-51490)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, 1998 (No. 87 of 1998).1998-09-28 (ZAF-1998-C-51171)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 1998 (No. 65 of 1998).1997-08-28 (ZAF-1997-C-47987)Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 1997 (No. 35 of 1997).
Implementing text(s):2013-07-29 (ZAF-2013-L-94052)Prevention of Combating and Torture of Persons Act, [No. 13 of 2013].2000-02-09 (ZAF-2000-L-56231)Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 [No. 4 of 2000].2000-02-03 (ZAF-2000-L-56233)Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (No. 3 of 2000).2000-02-02 (ZAF-2000-L-56232)Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (No. 2 of 2000).

Source – International Labour Organization

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