Jonah Patel
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, was signed by President Nelson Mandela on 10 December 1996 and officially published in the Government Gazette on 18 December 1996. It came into effect on 4 February 1997, replacing the Interim Constitution of 1993. The constitution is the supreme law of the land, providing the legal foundation for the existence of the republic, setting out the human rights and duties of its citizens, and defining the structure of the government. It was a major turning point in South African history, ushering in a new era of democracy and marking the end of apartheid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Date of signing | 21 March 1996 |
| Date of certification | 4 December |
| Date of publication | 18 December |
| Date of coming into force | 4 February 1997 |
| Signatory | President Nelson Mandela |
| Type of government | Republic |
| Type of document | Constitution |
| Number of chapters | 14 |
| Number of sections | 244 |
| Number of schedules | 8 |
| Number of official languages | 11 |
| Population | Over 49 million |
| Population by race (as per 2010 data) | Blacks (79.4%), Whites (9.2%), Coloured (8.8%), Indian or Asian (2.6%) |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
- The Constitution was signed by President Nelson Mandela
- The Constitution came into effect on 4 February 1997
- The Constitution consists of 14 chapters, 244 sections, and 8 schedules
- The Constitution provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
The bill of rights is the first major section of the Constitution, followed by the preamble and founding provisions. It outlines 22 major rights, each with detailed provisions. Some of the rights include equality, human dignity, life, freedom and security of the person, privacy, and freedom of religion, belief, and opinion. The Constitution also establishes a framework for a democratic and open society, emphasising the importance of healing past divisions and protecting the human rights of all citizens.
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The Constitution was signed by President Nelson Mandela
The Constitution of South Africa is the supreme law of the Republic of South Africa. It provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic, sets out the human rights and duties of its citizens, and defines the structure of the government. The constitution-making process in South Africa has been a long and complex one, marked by the country's struggle against apartheid and the fight for democracy and equal rights for all citizens.
The current South African Constitution, the country's fifth, was signed into law by President Nelson Mandela on December 10, 1996, and officially published in the Government Gazette on December 18, 1996. It came into effect on February 4, 1997, replacing the Interim Constitution of 1993. The constitution-making process in the 1990s was a significant step towards establishing a non-racial and democratic society in South Africa. This process was marked by negotiations and a series of legislative reforms, aiming to create a constitution that protected the rights of all citizens and provided a framework for a stable and inclusive democracy.
The 1996 Constitution, also known as the "Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996," was promulgated by President Mandela following its approval by the Parliament elected in the 1994 general election. This constitution replaced the previous constitutional framework, which had been characterized by discrimination and the disenfranchisement of non-whites. The 1983 Constitution, for example, maintained white dominance through a discriminatory electoral structure, and the 1961 Constitution, while severing ties with the British Empire, did not grant equal rights to all citizens.
President Nelson Mandela's signature on the 1996 Constitution held symbolic significance. Mandela, who had spent 27 years in prison for his role in the anti-apartheid movement, embodied the struggle for freedom and equality in South Africa. His release from prison in 1990 and his subsequent election as the country's first black president in 1994 marked a turning point in the country's history. Mandela's signature on the Constitution represented the realization of the ideals of democracy, equality, and justice that he had fought for throughout his life.
The 1996 Constitution has been amended several times since its enactment to ensure that it remains responsive to the evolving needs and aspirations of South Africa's diverse population. As of 2025, the Constitution has been amended by eighteen amendments, with the first amendment taking effect retroactively to February 4, 1997. These amendments reflect the dynamic nature of South Africa's constitutional democracy and the ongoing effort to build a united and inclusive nation.
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The Constitution came into effect on 4 February 1997
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, came into effect on 4 February 1997. It replaced the Interim Constitution of 1993, which was introduced at the end of apartheid to govern the transition to a new government. The 1993 constitution introduced a framework of liberal democracy, universal adult suffrage, and a bill of rights.
The 1996 Constitution is the country's fifth and was drawn up by the Parliament elected in the 1994 general election. It was promulgated by President Nelson Mandela on 18 December 1996, in the town of Sharpeville. The signing of the constitution was a major turning point in South African history, as it ushered in a new era of democracy two years after the country's first election.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, is the supreme law of the republic. It provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic, sets out the human rights and duties of its citizens, and defines the structure of the government. The bill of rights is the first major section of the constitution, followed by the preamble and founding provisions. The constitution consists of a preamble, fourteen chapters containing 244 sections, and eight schedules. Each chapter deals with a particular topic, while the schedules contain ancillary information referred to in the main text.
The Constitution First Amendment Act (formerly the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 1997) was signed by the President on 28 August 1997 and had effect retroactively to 4 February 1997. It made provisions for the oath of office for the Acting President of the Republic and the administration of the oath, as well as extending the cut-off date for actions eligible for amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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The Constitution consists of 14 chapters, 244 sections, and 8 schedules
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, is the supreme law of the Republic of South Africa. It is the country's fifth and current constitution, providing the legal foundation for the existence of the republic, setting out the human rights and duties of its citizens, and defining the structure of the government. The constitution consists of a preamble, fourteen chapters containing 244 sections, and eight schedules.
Each chapter in the constitution deals with a particular topic, while the schedules contain ancillary information referred to in the main text. The first chapter is the preamble, which includes the founding provisions. This is followed by the bill of rights, which is the first major section of the constitution. The bill of rights begins with an introduction and then lists 22 major rights, with specific detailed provisions given for each right. The titles of all 22 rights in the constitution are presented in the constitution. The rights include equality, human dignity, life, freedom and security of the person, privacy, and freedom of religion, belief, and opinion, among others.
The constitution was signed into law on March 21, 1996, in the town of Sharpeville, marking a major turning point in South African history. The signing of the constitution in May 1996 also ushered in a new era of democracy two years after the country's historic first election. The constitution was signed by President Nelson Mandela on December 10, 1996, and officially published in the Government Gazette on December 18, 1996. It came into effect on February 4, 1997, replacing the Interim Constitution of 1993, except for some financial provisions, which were delayed until January 1, 1998.
The Constitution First Amendment Act, formerly the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 1997, was signed by the President on August 28, 1997, and had effect retroactively to February 4, 1997, when the constitution came into force. Since 1997, the Constitution has been amended by eighteen amendments.
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The Constitution provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic
South Africa's Constitution of the Republic, signed by President Nelson Mandela on 18 December 1996, is the supreme law of the Republic of South Africa. It came into effect on 4 February 1997, replacing the Interim Constitution of 1993. The Constitution provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic, sets out the human rights and duties of its citizens, and defines the structure of the government.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, is the country's fifth and current constitution. It was drawn up by the Parliament elected in the 1994 general election. The constitution consists of a preamble, fourteen chapters containing 244 sections, and eight schedules. Each chapter deals with a particular topic, while the schedules contain ancillary information referred to in the main text. The bill of rights is the first major section of the new constitution, followed by the preamble and founding provisions. It includes 22 major rights, with detailed provisions for each.
The history of South Africa's constitution dates back to the South Africa Act of 1909, passed by the British House of Commons, which established the Union of South Africa and marked the disenfranchisement of black people. In 1960, South Africa's white voters voted in a referendum to abolish the Union and establish a republic, which was formally declared in 1961. The 1961 Constitution severed all ties with the British Empire, replacing references to the "Crown" with the "State" and establishing a state president.
In 1983, a new constitution was enacted through the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, creating a Tricameral Parliament with separate houses for Whites, Coloureds, and Indians, but still excluding Blacks from representation. This constitution introduced a framework for liberal democracy, universal adult suffrage, and a bill of rights. The Interim Constitution of 1993 was introduced at the end of apartheid to govern the transition period. The current constitution, signed into law on 21 March 1996, marked a significant turning point in South African history, ushering in a new era of democracy.
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Frequently asked questions
President Nelson Mandela signed the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa on December 10, 1996.
The location, Sharpeville, Vereeniging, was significant as it symbolized the betrayal and brutality of past governments. In 1960, 69 people were massacred by the government while protesting against apartheid passes.
The first constitution of South Africa was enacted by the South Africa Act in 1909.
The bill of rights was the first major section in the new constitution, following the preamble and founding provisions.
The Constitution of South Africa provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic, sets out the rights and duties of its citizens, and defines the structure of the government.
