THEME COMMITTEE 1

Theme Committee 1 dealt with the Character of the Democratic State and was mandated to discuss the following issues:

  • Preamble to the Constitution
  • Matters dealing with the establishment of a single sovereign state, common citizenship, democracy and equality (Constitutional Principle I)
  • Supremacy of the Constitution, binding on all organs of state
  • Matters dealing with representative government, regular elections, suffrage and proportional representation
  • Matters dealing with freedom of information and accountable administration
  • Name and description of State and symbols
  • Citizenship and franchise
  • Matters dealing with the separation of powers

Theme Committee 1 in numbers:

Theme Committee 1 held 56 meetings from 19 September to 11 September 1995 and processed 3 000 submissions. Six orientation workshops were held to facilitate submissions of parties on various issues dealt with by the Committee.

Public hearings were held on:

  • Seat of government, languages, name and symbols
  • Secular state
  • Equality and affirmative action
  • Character of the state

Chairpersons: Ndaweni Johannes Mahlangu (ANC); Peter Marais (NP); Lionel Mtshali (IFP).

Members: Ashley Ally (alt); Mnyamezeli Shedrack Booi; Mohammed Farouk Cassim (alt); Laloo Chiba (alt); Moses Mabokela Chikane; Lassy Chiwayo (alt); Cyprian Siyabonga Cwele (alt); Patricia De Lille (alt); Malcolm Dyani; Letsela McDonald Fani (alt); Elred Ferreira (alt); Frene Ginwala; Alwyn Goosen (alt); Louis Green (alt); Donald Mlindwa Gumede; Nomatyala Hangana; Abraham Janse Van Rensburg; Nkenke ‘NedKekana; Nnoseng Kuzwayo (alt); Lamani NE; Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro; Manana Mabuza (alt); Saki Macozoma; Nozuko ‘ Girly’ Majola-Pikoli; Anroux Marais; Kenneth Raselabe Meshoe; Piet Garth Mngomezulu; Peter Mokaba; Jan Momberg; Errol Moorcroft; Thembi Msane (alt); Mavis Msomi; Mukhuba TT (alt); Pieter Mulder; Bernard Ncube; Carl Niehaus; Nobunga BJ (alt); Blade Nzimande; Selby Ripinga; Nozizwe Charlotte Routledge; Emanuel Schoeman; Sybil Seaton; James Selfe; Mongane Wally Serote (alt); Gertrude Shope (alt); Ntombi Shope; Albertina Sisulu; Peter Smith; Daniel Myburgh Streicher; Swanepoel L; Takalani Tshivase; Frederik Van Deventer; Marthinus Van Schalkwyk; Isak Van Zyl; Bavumile Vilakazi; Constand Viljoen; Adrian Williams; Zondi MK.

Technical Committee: Prof Hugh Corder; Dr Chris Jan Heunis; Mr Z Hussain; Prof Candith Dlamini.

Staff: Leola Ramble, Managing Secretary; Susan Rabinowitz, Minute Secretary; Aziza Parker, Administrative Secretary.

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