The African National Congress

We, the people of South Africa – Recognising the injustices of our past, resolve to heal the divisions among us and strive to improve the quality of life of all citizens: Honouring the countless men and women who have suffered for freedom and justice in our land, affirm that our country belongs to all who live in it;

Believing that people of diverse backgrounds can live together as equals and compatriots, united to common loyalty to build a new nation;

Celebrating the diversity of our nation, aspire to achieve our full economic, social and cultural development by freeing potential of each person;

Committed to open a new chapter in our history, establish a society founded on the principles of equality, dignity, fundamental rights and personal freedom, in which every South African is equally protected by law;

Determined never again to permit our diversity to render our nation apart, lay the foundations for a free and open society based on the sovereignty of the people and democratic values;

Respectful of international law, build a united democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place in the family of nations in Africa and as an active member of the world community;

Solemnly agreeing to live together in harmony, respect the rule of law and govern ourselves as a constitutional democracy, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic.

Nkosi Sikelela iAfrika. Morena boloke sechaba sa heso. God seen Afrika. May God bless our country.  Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afrika. Hosi katekisa Afrika.

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