Constitutional Design

Democratic Constitution in South Africa

  • Nelson Mandela, the South African leader of African National Congress, fought a long battle against Apartheid.
  • Imprisoned for 28 years (1964–1992) emerged as the First President of the Republic of South-Africa.
  • People struggled against the horrible discrimination practised against them by the white minority rulers.
  • Apartheid finally defeated in 1994 and a new constitution made in 1996.
  • Black leaders appealed fellow blacks to forgive white.
  • Remarkable constitution, forgot past sufferings, sought co-operation of all the races which make S. Africa based on equality, democratic values and social justice.

Do We Need a Constitution?

  • Every country drafts its own constitution.
  • A constitution of a nation is the set of written laws accepted by people living together in a country.
  • It generates trust and co-ordination.
  • It specifies how a government should be constituted.
  • It lays down limits on the powers of the government.
  • It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.