Albie Sachs Champions South Africa's Constitution at Prestige Lecture

Renowned anti-apartheid activist and former Constitutional Court Justice, Albie Sachs, recently spoke at a prestigious event, reiterating the advanced nature of South Africa's Constitution and the importance of embracing its principles for the country's future.

Addressing an audience at the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein, Sachs gave the inaugural Prestige Lecture. This lecture is a result of a collaborative agreement between his Foundation and the university, set to continue for five years. This partnership highlights the university's commitment to understanding and propagating South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

Sachs took the opportunity to reflect on the historical context that led to the Constitution's creation, commemorating the substantial voter turnout during South Africa's first democratic elections as the definitive mandate for drafting the country's new charter. He paid homage to the deeply participatory nature of the process, recalling poignant moments such as an elderly man in Limpopo voting for the first time under difficult circumstances, exemplifying the strong will of the people to be heard.

Contrary to prevalent narratives suggesting compromises during the creation of the Constitution, Sachs firmly disagreed. He stressed that rights such as freedom of conscience, language, and protection against arbitrary detention are not concessions, but affirmations of a just and equitable society. These are not balanced against freedom but are foundational to it. Sachs articulated how these principles paved the way for a peaceful transition from apartheid rule to a democracy valiant in respecting human dignity and freedoms.

Sachs continues to believe in the progressive vision on which the Constitution was founded. He highlighted the necessity for South Africans to reengage with the notion of participatory democracy, especially in the context of current challenges such as gender-based violence, which he pointed out as a constitutional issue that must be addressed within the framework of the Constitution’s assurances of safety for all.

His emphasis on the Constitution goes beyond mere appreciation; it's a call to action for South African society to reorient to the values and principles enshrined in its supreme law and to recognize the power of their collective mandate.