South Africa has made progress in protecting the constitution, but more needed to be done to keep the promises made in it.
These were the words of Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreational, Arts and Culture Rejoice Mabudafhasi yesterday at an event in East London to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the constitution’s adoption.
The constitution, the supreme law of the land, was adopted on May 8 1996.
It 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.
Mabudafhasi and her Eastern Cape counterpart, MEC Pemmy Majodina, with the Eastern Cape Council of Churches, hosted a celebration at the National Baptist Church in Scenery Park to mark the day.
Among those who attended were SAPS members, church leaders and church members and the commissioner for Gender Equality.
Twenty candles were lit and 20 South African flags were hoisted to celebrate the 20-year anniversary.
Mabudafhasi said South Africans should not only read and know the constitution, but live by it.
“We need to understand the importance of this document and support it by making it practical,” said Mabudafhasi, who said similar events were held throughout the country.
Majodina says even though South Africans pride themselves in having a constitution, people tend to abuse the Bill of Rights, which is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.
She said the department chose to partner with churches in marking the day to establish ways for the government and the religious sector to work together for moral regeneration.
“We have moved away from rallies and we are saying let’s use churches for moral regeneration. Churches have land and buildings where people come for spiritual healing and we are looking at ways we can partner with them to empower people,” said Majodina.
Reverend Phumezo Jaxa from the Council of Churches said, “God gave us the constitution. It was his answer to a troubled nation.
“Our freedom was never free. It was a result of bloodshed and prayers and it is against that backdrop that we say let’s foster the spirit of patriotism.
“Not everyone has access to basic rights such as houses and water but this is a good document to move this country towards realising those basic rights for all,” said Jaxa. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
South Africans should live by constitution
These were the words of Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreational, Arts and Culture Rejoice Mabudafhasi yesterday at an event in East London to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the constitution’s adoption.
The constitution, the supreme law of the land, was adopted on May 8 1996.
It 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.
Mabudafhasi and her Eastern Cape counterpart, MEC Pemmy Majodina, with the Eastern Cape Council of Churches, hosted a celebration at the National Baptist Church in Scenery Park to mark the day.
Among those who attended were SAPS members, church leaders and church members and the commissioner for Gender Equality.
Twenty candles were lit and 20 South African flags were hoisted to celebrate the 20-year anniversary.
Mabudafhasi said South Africans should not only read and know the constitution, but live by it.
“We need to understand the importance of this document and support it by making it practical,” said Mabudafhasi, who said similar events were held throughout the country.
Majodina says even though South Africans pride themselves in having a constitution, people tend to abuse the Bill of Rights, which is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.
She said the department chose to partner with churches in marking the day to establish ways for the government and the religious sector to work together for moral regeneration.
“We have moved away from rallies and we are saying let’s use churches for moral regeneration. Churches have land and buildings where people come for spiritual healing and we are looking at ways we can partner with them to empower people,” said Majodina.
Reverend Phumezo Jaxa from the Council of Churches said, “God gave us the constitution. It was his answer to a troubled nation.
“Our freedom was never free. It was a result of bloodshed and prayers and it is against that backdrop that we say let’s foster the spirit of patriotism.
“Not everyone has access to basic rights such as houses and water but this is a good document to move this country towards realising those basic rights for all,” said Jaxa. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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