Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993/1996-04-24
Act
To introduce a new Constitution for the Republic of South Africa and to provide for matters incidental thereto.
as amended by
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, No. 2 of 1994
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, No. 3 of 1994
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Third Amendment Act, No. 13 of 1994
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Fourth Amendment Act, No. 14 of 1994
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Fifth Amendment Act, No. 29 of 1994
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Sixth Amendment Act, No. 24 of 1994
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, No 20 of 1995
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, No 44 of 1995
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, No 7 of 1996
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Third Amendment Act, No 26 of 1996
Preamble
We, the people of South Africa declare that—
Whereas there is a need to create a new order in which all South Africans will be entitled to a common South African citizenship in a sovereign and democratic constitutional state in which there is equality between men and women and people of all races so that all citizens shall be able to enjoy and exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms;
And whereas in order to secure the achievement of this goal, elected representatives of all the people of South Africa should be mandated to adopt a new Constitution in accordance with a solemn pact recorded as Constitutional Principles;
And whereas it is necessary for such purposes that provision should be made for the promotion of national unity and the restructuring and continued governance of South Africa while an elected Constitutional Assembly draws up a final Constitution;
(Afrikaans text signed by the State President.)
(Assented to 25 January 1994.)
Now therefore the following provisions are adopted as the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa: