Parliament, Thursday 2 March 2017 – Parliament has set aside 2017 for celebrating 20 years of South Africa’s world acclaimed Constitution, as well as the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). These critical milestones in the history of our young democracy will be marked with a comprehensive annual programme of action that will involve the entire legislative sector and every sector of the South African society.
This programme will be unveiled during the official launch of the campaign on 3 March 2017 in the National Assembly Chamber of Parliament in Cape Town. The event will kick off a rollout of the programme that includes the participation of pioneers, drafters and early drivers of the implementation of the constitution. The Constitution was signed into law by the first democratic President uTatu Nelson Mandela on the 10 December 1996, and came into effect on 4 February 1997, followed by the inaugural session of the NCOP on 6 February 1997.
The 20th celebration of the Constitution and the NCOP, is a watershed moment for every sector, and every individual in South Africa. It marks the coming of age of South Africa’s constitutional democracy, which demonstrated high levels of resilience and maturity, sometimes, under trying conditions. Parliament urges everyone to optimally participate in these celebrations during the course of the year. It also urges various stakeholders and beneficiaries of the new democratic and constitutional order to conceptualize and drive their own activities aimed at making these celebrations reflective of a truly people’s parliament.
The programme includes:
- A lecture series organized in collaboration with various academic institutions.
- A series of engagements aimed at reflecting on the impact of the constitution on, among others, young people, women, people with disabilities, rural and under-developed communities.
- Exhibitions across the provinces to showcase the long and fulfilling journey of the past 20 years.
- A comprehensive review of the impact registered by all legislation passed over the years of freedom and democracy, as led by the High Level Panel.
The theme for these celebrations is “My Constitution, My Rights, My Responsibilities”. People of South Africa cherish the constitution, as a national blue print for the ideal society we all are striving to realize. The celebrations have come at a critical time, when Parliament had commissioned an independent assessment of the impact of legislation passed over the first generation of Parliament in terms of helping the nation realize the ideals outlined in the Constitution. The findings and recommendations would form part of these celebrations.
The launch programme entails, the unveiling of an exhibition that tells the story of the Constitution and the NCOP, speeches of the pioneers and midwives of our constitution, a keynote address of the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon Baleka Mbete and Chairperson of the NCOP Hon Thandi Modise, a round table discussion, and the unveiling of a video documentary to mark the 20 years of the Constitution and the NCOP. Parliament appreciates media interest in this event that will be extensively covered for the benefit of millions of South Africans.
Issued by Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
Moloto Mothapo – 082 3706930 / momothapo@parliament.gov.za
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