constitutionlatest news & developments
President Cyril Ramaphosa  delivering the keynote address at the 2026 National Commemoration of #HumanRightsDay held at Ar Abass Stadium, Kimberley, Northern Cape Province. Photo The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa

Do not narrate Sobukwe out of history

Some analyses suggest South Africa’s human rights framework is “normatively robust but substantively fragile”, marked by a growing gap between constitutional ideals and social realities

President Cyril Ramaphosa  delivering the keynote address at the 2026 National Commemoration of #HumanRightsDay held at Ar Abass Stadium, Kimberley, Northern Cape Province. Photo The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa

Do not narrate Sobukwe out of history

Some analyses suggest South Africa’s human rights framework is “normatively robust but substantively fragile”, marked by a growing gap between constitutional ideals and social realities

Luxury: South Africa’s two-tier healthcare system offers selective protection to those who can afford medical aid contributions, co-payments and out-of-pocket expenses.  (Photo Archive)

NHI is bugbear of the upper crust

It is the political and economic fightback of those who have long enjoyed the luxury of world-class care where wealth buys life, dignity and speed, while the poor are forced to queue, wait and too often die in silence

Party control over MPs violates the separation of powers between the executive and the legislature, which came to light during Jacob Zuma’s presidency. Photo: File

Democracy at a crossroads in South Africa – and the US

Democracy – government of the people, by the people, for the people – cannot prevail while wealth is concentrated in the hands of the few

Stolen dockets, tender corruption, unaccountable leadership and criminals rob South Africans of their dreams of a safe future. Photo: File

South Africans, stop complaining in whispers and unite to fight corruption

We can’t let a few rob us of what Mandela and others fought for. Our future depends on taking action together

South Africa needs leaders of the ilk of Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani (above), Walter Sisulu, Beyers Naude, Steve Biko, Robert Sobukwe, Nelson Mandela and Chief Albert Luthuli. Photo: File

The ‘beloved country’ is in such a state that an emergency should be declared

The president must act decisively to combat crime and corruption and reset the democratic state

Cote D’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara has confirmed his candidacy for re-election. Photo: File

Ouattara poised to win Cote d’Ivoire’s October presidential elections

This is despite protests by opposition parties

The supply of water has been penetrated by organised crime. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Editorial | Water mafia a deadly concern

The supply of water has been penetrated by organised crime

To meaningfully serve the needs of the communities they represent, the functions of traditional councils must be aligned with the Constitution and living customary law in South Africa. File photo

Traditional authorities: Democratic governance must be reclaimed

The functions of traditional councils must be aligned with the Constitution and living customary law in South Africa

Members of Operation Dudula prevented people from other African countries from using South African health facilities. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G

ActionSA pushes for constitutional change as Operation Dudula  targets migrants at clinics

The Human Rights Commission and legal experts say the Constitution, the National Health Act, the UN Refugee Convention and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights obligate South Africa to provide basic healthcare to all people in its borders

South Africa, look to the Freedom Charter

Adopted in 1955, the Charter’s vision remains as relevant to the country today as it was 70 years ago

International anti-corruption court can restore human dignity in Africa

The notion of human dignity is a fundamental rule of law principle and has broader implications related to ubuntu and restorative justice

South Africa may have attained political emancipation but economically the chains largely remain.  (File photo)

Economic apartheid: South Africa’s transition a warning for a two-state agreement for Palestine

South Africa may have attained political emancipation but economically the chains largely remain

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema.

Unpacking the dangers of proposed amendments to Zambia’s Constitution, Part 1

President Hakainde Hichilema seeks to control the National Assembly by adding 92 new seats and creating 55 new constituencies in areas that have historically voted for him

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G

DA must navigate coalition politics rather than divide the GNU and South Africa

The Democratic Alliance’s rush to court over debates it has lost such as employment equity is an abuse of the law

South African Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Has the Reserve Bank abandoned its economic growth mandate?

The central bank has maintained price stability but needs to focus on growth given the high unemployment rate.

The government of national unity. Photo: @Presidency/ZA/X

SA must establish a clear separation of powers between the executive and parliament

Given the shaky coalition government, two sections in the Constitution appear to create a quandary regarding ministers actions in the cabinet

Paramedics tend to a person injured by police during protests in Mbabane in 2021 as security forces cracked down on pro-democracy protests in Africa’s last absolute monarchy. Photo: AFP

eSwatini’s 20 years of constitutionalism characterised by a crackdown on freedom of expression

The country’s revival of the Sedition and Subversion Act is a revival of a colonial law that stifles human rights.

Township residents lining up, en masse, waiting to vote in 1st natl. elections incl. black majority, w. expected win for ANC cand. Mandela.    (Photo by William F. Campbell/Getty Images)

South Africa has an undignified democracy

Thirty years on, the patience of the poor is wearing thin as they are subjected to tardy, disrespectful service

The DA’s federal council chairperson, Helen Zille, at a press briefing on Monday. (@Our_DA/X)

Employment equity quotas will shred jobs, DA says

The Democratic Alliance is challenging the Employment Equity Amendment Act in court, saying it violates constitutional protections against unfair racial quotas