The Foyer

Walking into the foyer evokes a vast, clearing in a forest resonating the central organising idea of the architects: justice under a tree that underlines themes of openness and transparency.

The architects were inspired in their design of the lobby by this woodcut entitled Making Democracy Work by Sandile Goje.

To further emphasise transparency, it was important to have natural light coming into the foyer illuminating the floor through the glass ceiling. Sunshine and rainfall is not only beautifully visible, but actually surrounds visitors due to the huge windows. The use of the glass windows all around the foyer is to ensure that those inside the Court are never cut off from the real

EXPLORE THE ARCHIVE

Audio Visual

President Mandela gives his State of the Nation address in Parliament. Mandela ends his address with the words, “Let us all get down to work”.

“We must construct that people-centred society of freedom in such a manner that it guarantees the political and the human rights of all our citizens.”– President Mandela, extract from State of the Nation Address, 24 May 1994

President Nelson Mandela announces his cabinet. It includes members of the African National Congress, National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party.

“There was pride in serving in the first democratic government in South Africa, and then the additional pride of serving under the iconic leadership of Nelson Mandela … [He] represented the hopes of not just our country, but of oppressed, marginalised and the poor in the world.”– Jay Naidoo, then Minister of RDP housing
“We place our vision of a new constitutional order for South Africa on the table not as conquerors, prescribing to the conquered. We speak as fellow citizens to heal the wounds of the past with the intent of constructing a new order based on justice for all.”– President Nelson Mandela, 10 May 1994