President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the Constitutional Court for its critical role in deepening democracy, advancing human rights, and promoting national cohesion and reconciliation over the past three decades.
Speaking at a special event marking the 30-year anniversary of the court’s establishment on Friday in Johannesburg, President Ramaphosa described the apex court as not only a legal institution but a “noble symbol of our democratic order; both immortal and legal compass”.
“This moment calls not only for celebration, but also for
reflection, for recommitment, and for a renewed vision of constitutionalism in
action in South Africa.’’
Reflecting on the court’s founding in 1994, the President
noted its symbolic location, built on the ruins of the infamous Old Fort prison
in Braamfontein as a reminder of South Africa’s painful past and a testament to
the transformative promise of constitutional justice.
“This court was established on the ruins of an oppressive
legal system and was built on the grounds of a former prison, embodying the
hope that law could become an instrument of justice rather than repression,” he
said.
Recalling the adoption of the Constitution on 8 May 1996, President Ramaphosa, who then chaired the Constitutional Assembly, likened the document to “our new nation’s birth certificate”, describing it as a legal foundation that affirms dignity, equality, and freedom for all South Africans.
Ramaphosa credited the court for cultivating a rights-based
culture by issuing transformative and far-reaching judgments, including in S v
Makwanyane that abolished the death penalty; the Grootboom case that centred on
the right to housing; and Minister of Health v Treatment Action Campaign that
dealt with the right to healthcare and access to HIV/Aids treatment.
“The Constitutional Court has developed a rich and
transformative jurisprudence. These judgements are not merely legal decisions -
they are decisions that have changed lives, shaped our society, and
strengthened our democracy,” he said.
The president also praised the court’s jurisprudence for affirming the rights of the vulnerable, including same-sex couples, women in traditional marriages, children, the poor, and the infirm.
“The court’s judgments have advanced the rights of same-sex
couples, of women in traditional marriages, of the sick and infirm, of
children, of voters, and of the most marginalised members of society. They have
affirmed that dignity, equality and freedom are not reserved for the powerful,
but guaranteed to all,” he said.
He acknowledged the international legal influences that
helped shape South Africa’s Constitution, with insights drawn from
jurisdictions such as Canada, Germany, India and the United States.
As a nation we can be nothing short of immensely proud of the constitutional court, of what it has achieved, and of its ongoing and pre-eminent role in our society.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) June 20, 2025
https://t.co/cFDJe3Ks7E
While lauding the court’s role, President Ramaphosa also
acknowledged ongoing challenges in realising the full promise of
constitutionalism, particularly in the delivery of socio-economic rights.
“It will forever remain a blight on our democracy that the
applicant in the ground-breaking Grootboom judgment, Ms. Irene Grootboom, died
in 2008 without her dream of a decent house being fulfilled,” he said.
He stressed that citizens should not have to resort to
litigation to claim rights that the state is obligated to fulfil.
“There is a disconnect between the promise of our
Constitution and the lived realities of South Africans. Persistent inequality,
threats to judicial independence, lack of implementation of court orders, and
erosion of trust in institutions remain pressing challenges,” he warned.
President Ramaphosa reaffirmed government’s commitment to
supporting the judiciary and upholding its independence. He cited budget
allocations to improve court services, judicial education, and infrastructure
as part of efforts to bolster the judiciary’s effectiveness. He confirmed that
a joint committee between the executive and judiciary will finalise an action
plan in the coming weeks to strengthen the judicial system and institutional
independence.
President Ramaphosa called on legal professionals,
government leaders and citizens alike to recommit to the Constitution and its
values of accountability, ethics, and public service.
“Thirty years on, the Constitutional Court remains a beacon
of democracy. A compass for our future journey. May it continue to stand as a
testament to justice, accountability, and the resilience of the South African
people,” the President said.
Done by: Mitchum George
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