Our Constitution is the country’s greatest source of national pride - Ramaphosa on Human Rights Day 2026

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s Constitution is the country’s greatest source of national pride not only because of what it contains, but because of how it was written.

Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the 2026 National Commemoration of Human Rights Day held in Kimberley, Northern Cape on Saturday.

Human Rights Month 2026 is commemorated under the theme: “A Legacy of Courage: Protecting Rights, Preserving Humanity”.

The day is celebrated to remember the people who were killed by the apartheid government in the Sharpeville massacre of March 21 in 1960. The apartheid police shot and killed 69 people who were protesting against the country’s pass laws. The day is also commemorated to raise awareness about human rights in the country. This year, South Africa celebrates the day under the theme, Bill of Rights at 30, Making Human Rights real.

‘’This is when we celebrate how far we have come together in building a united, non-racial, non-sexist democratic and prosperous South Africa. In our different languages we greet one another, affirming a simple but profound truth: that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity,’’ said Ramaphosa.

‘’This Human Rights Day takes place in the year that we mark 30 years since our democratic Constitution was signed into law. It is significant that President Nelson Mandela chose to sign the Constitution into law in Sharpeville, the site of one of the apartheid regime’s worst acts of brutality. Today, on the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre of the 21st of March 1960, we honour the memories of all those who were killed in the struggle for human rights. It is fitting that the place that had known so much suffering and tears should be the site from which a new South Africa would rise. Signing the Constitution into law was the most significant act of our democratic era,’’ the President added.

PICTURED: President Cyril Ramaphosa (X - @GovernmentZA)

Ramaphosa said the Constitution is more than the supreme law of the land, adding that it set the coordinates for a journey towards a just, inclusive and united future for all South Africans. This is a journey that we remain on to this day.

‘’The Constitution is our greatest source of national pride not only because of what it contains, but because of how it was written. The constitution-making process was the most extensive public participation exercise to ever take place in our country. The Constitutional Assembly was determined that ours should be a homegrown Constitution with broad legitimacy and acceptable to all South Africans.

‘’There are some who will say bygones should be bygones. There are some who say that there is no longer a need for affirmative action and employment equity targets, for land reform and restitution. Yet we say that restitution is not merely about compensation or redress.  It is central to building a just society that upholds human dignity.

If we are to give effect to the promise of our Constitution, we must continue to pursue policies of restitution and redress until our workplaces, our economy and the ownership of this country’s land truly reflects the diversity of the people of this country. We must continue until we fully deliver the social justice our people deserve. The progress we have made across the country bears witness to the fruits of our efforts,’’ added Ramaphosa.

 

Done By: Mitchum George