Am 10. Dezember 1996, dem ’Internationalen Tag der Menschenrechte’, setzte der südafrikanischen Präsident NELSON MANDELA in Sharpeville seine Unterschrift unter die neue Verfassung – an dem Ort, wo 36 Jahre zuvor der Protestmarsch gegen die Passgesetze brutal niedergeschlagen worden war. Der Verfassung mit ihren 244 Artikeln ist folgende Präambel vorangestellt:
We, the people of South Africa,
Recognise the injustices of our past;
Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land;
Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and
Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights;
Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law;
Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person;
Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.
May God protect our people.
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso.
God seën Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa.
Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afurika. Hosi katekisa Afrika.
