Then President Nelson Mandela, observed by Cyril Ramaphosa, signs the country’s new Constitution at the Sharpeville stadium near Vereeniging on December 10, 1996. A constitutional review without political will is a futile exercise, says the writer.
Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu
The Constitution of South Africa has generally been hailed as one of the best in the world. Among the reasons cited to buttress this assertion is Chapter 2 of the Constitution, which focuses on the Bill of Rights.
Several rights are enshrined in this chapter which remain an envy to many countries. Those who look at these rights reach the conclusion that our constitution is a stark difference from those of many countries, including those of the developed world.
But while South Africans are said to be lucky because they enjoy so many rights, questions have constantly been asked by various critics about the same constitution. One of them is: if the Constitution is one of the best, it is best for whom? Secondly, does what appears in Chapter 2 translate into reality, or is it a far-fetched dream like a mirage?
