The Remainder of Week One 1 – 5 July 1996 Petition by Concerned South African Indian Citizens who were represented by Beema Naidoo in the Court. Constitutional Court Library Religious rights A common refrain in the Constitutional Assembly (CA) when the going got tough was, “Let the Court decide.” But the Court was firm about …
The First Day Continues 1 July 1996 Not surprisingly, it was mostly the contentious issues that had emerged during the drafting of the Constitution that were subsequently heard in the court chamber. The majority of the time on the first day was set aside for one of the most contentious issues of all – that …
The Hearings Case no CCT 23/96 1 July 1996 I call the case of the Certification of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. With these words spoken by Justice O’Regan’s law clerk, Yasmin Carrim, at precisely 10 a.m. in the temporary Court chamber in Braamfontein, the certification hearings began. The courtroom had been …
The Proceedings The Constitutional Assembly appointed a team of advocates to defend the draft text. Advocate George Bizos, a leading human rights advocate who had been involved in many high-profile political cases against the apartheid government, led a team consisting of Wim Trengove, Marumo Moerane, Nona Goso and Khomotso Moroka. Forty-eight advocates represented the objectors, …
Submission Process Mirroring the Constitutional Assembly’s drive for transparency and public participation, the Court extended an open invitation to all South Africans to submit their objections. The certification process also provided an opportunity for the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) to rejoin the constitutional debates. Although it had not participated in the process of formulating the …
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”.
President Nelson Mandela announces his cabinet. It includes members of the African National Congress, National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party.
