Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Hon. Ronald Lamola delivered a keynote address at the Provincial Symposium for the Commemoration of the Constitution’s 25th Anniversary, in which he cogently described the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, in collaboration with the University of Limpopo (UL), hosted the symposium on Tuesday (30 August 2022) under the theme “One Constitution, One Nation”
The Republic of South Africa’s Constitution is one of the most acclaimed constitutions in the world, widely recognised as one of the most progressive and transformative, with its primary concern being to facilitate change in political, economic and social relations in South Africa. “It is mindful of dreams and past history of its efforts to keep them alive. The architecture of the apartheid regime suppressed the majority of South Africans, particularly Africans, without any sympathy.” Lamola stated that it became necessary to change this regime to a dispensation that would give equal treatment to the citizenry and respect the rule of law. Lamola said South Africans have chosen a democratic state whose fundamental objectives are embedded in constitutionalism.
“… but the constitution cannot provide for all the eventualities. We have to consistently assess if it still fulfils the demands of present society. The needs of the nation are dynamic, organic and living…” Lamola noted, adding that the South African Constitution has been revised 17 times since the advent of democracy to respond to changing society.
Lamola also stated that there is a draft 18th Amendment to the Constitution that seeks to recognise Sign Language as the country’s twelfth official language. “The draft is publicised on the Department of Justice website, and we encourage society at large to provide feedback before the draft is submitted to Parliament for consideration,” he urged the audience to partake in the document.
In his opening remarks, UL Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Mahlo Mokgalong shared the sentiment that the South African Constitution is revered around the world. He thanked the Ministry of Justice for bringing the celebrations to the university, citing that the institution has made significant contributions to the judiciary.
Prof. Mokgalong expressly stated that the university produced many judges president in South Africa, which Judge President of the Limpopo Division of the High Court – Ephraim Makgoba – confirmed to be eight, four of whom are currently sitting Judges President in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and North West provinces. “That is what the University of Limpopo is capable of. Let us together celebrate the commemoration and share ideas about our Constitution and all it does,” Prof. Mokgalong said. According to Judge Makgoba, the symposium is a significant landmark in the creation of the Constitutional democracy in South Africa. “From the judiciary point of view, I am proud to state that our courts have played a significant role, and to a large extend, succeeded in the enforcement of the rights enshrined in the Constitution,” he stated.
The lecture culminated in a panel discussion on the topic, “The role of the constitution in addressing socio-economic rights imbalances and achieving the empowerment of women.”
By Moses Moreroa