President Ramaphosa officially opens the National Conference on the Constitution

The much-anticipated National Conference on the Constitution has finally gotten underway at the Gallagher Convection Centre in Midrand, Gauteng. Held under the theme Reflections and the Road Ahead, the conference started with Director General Advocate Doc Mashabane leading delegates in singing the National anthem and the reading of the Preamble of the Constitution.

When introducing the President of the Republic, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Mr Ronald Lamola highlighted the importance of the Conference, emphasizing that deliberations and discussions over the duration of the Conference should shape a constructive way forward for the country.

President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, officially opened the Conference, stating: “This conference gives us an opportunity to reflect on the road we must traverse to strengthen our constitutional democracy and address the many challenges around the rule of law, accountability and social and economic justice.”

The President also highlighted the progress made by the democratic government in addressing the injustices of the past. “As this Conference reflects on the road ahead, it should reflect on issues such as progress on land restitution and reform, electoral reform and governance, and transformation of the economy,” expanded Ramaphosa.

The National Conference on the Constitution will over the next three days endeavour to broaden the discourse on the Constitution and encourage members of the public to participate in the conversation on constitutionalism and the current state of democracy in the country.

In his speech, President Ramaphosa emphasised the role of Parliament, stating: “As a representative of the citizens, Parliament has a clear mandate to hold the President, Deputy President and Ministers to account, individually and collectively, for the exercise of their powers and performance of their functions,”

The Conference is attended by prominent figures of South African society including academics, members of legislatures, constitutional and independent statutory bodies, mayors, political parties, youth, students, business leaders, religious leaders, legal fraternity, traditional leaders, media and others. Most notably, some of the authors of the Constitution including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Retired Justice Albie Sachs, Advocate Thuli Madonsela and Mr Valli Moosa.

By Sinenhlanhla Mkhwanazi

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Day 1: National Conference in Pictures

 

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Day 2 of the National Conference on the Constitution

Delegates have filled the Gallagher Convention Centre to capacity for the second day of the National Conference on the Constitution which started yesterday. 

Today’s proceedings started at 09:00 with the panel discussion on the Effectiveness of the legislature in advancing constitutional democracy.

Facilitating this discussion was Mr E Fakir who is the Senior Manager at AUWAL. Panellists included Dr M Motshekga the Co-Chairperson of the Constitutional Review Committee and, Dr M Mangena the Board Member of MISTRA.

Dr Motshekga cautioned that government is being failed by individuals who are in parliament to serve their own need not the needs of the people of South Africa. He further emphasised on the need to strengthen constitutional education in the country.

Dr Mangena also emphasised the importance of parliament in a country. “The chaos in parliament may be entertaining to some but it does not advance Constitutional democracy,” says Dr Mangena. He further shared with the delegates that his friend’s child refers to the parliament at Grade 9C (an unruly class at their school).

Breakaway panel discussion included: Fighting corruption as constitutional imperative, Progressive realisation of socio-economic rights, Building an effective system of traditional leadership within our constitutional framework.

Minister of Justice and Correction Services Mr Ronald Lamola was part of the panel that was discussing Fighting corruption as constitutional imperative.” We have made progress to renew and transform the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA),” explains Minister Lamola.

Other discussions included Transforming and growing the economy as a constitutional framework, Freedom of expression and the role of the media and human rights in the region and Africa.

The last discussion were on the Promotion of Equality, Effectiveness of constitutional and independent statutory bodies in strengthening constitutional democracy, Effectiveness of local government in delivering services and the role of National Security in advancing constitutional democracy.

BySusan Mphuthi

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Day 2: National Conference in Pictures

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Day 3 of the National Conference on the Constitution

Delegates and panellists have once again converged at Gallagher Estate for final discussions and deliberations on day three of the National Conference on the Constitution - reflections and the road ahead.

The final day started with the panel discussing Progress on Land Reform: Restitution and Distribution. Facilitating the discussion was Ms Bulelwa Mabasa, author of the book: My Land Obsession. Panellists in this discussion comprised Advocate T Ngcukaitobi, Dr Y Abrahams and Dr M Motshekga.

In his input, Advocate Ngcukaitobi emphasised that the major crisis in South Africa is land injustice. “We need land for private use, we need land for the people” appealed Advocate Ngcukaitobi. In adding to the conversation, Dr Motshekga suggested that Land Claims Court needs to be capacitated in order to deal with the increasing land claims cases in the country.

The second panel discussion of the day was held under the topic: Governance and Electoral Reform and was facilitated by Project Director for SA Electoral Reform, Ms M Mashego. Panellist Professor Mandla Mchunu, Executive Director of AFRICO Group, emphasised the importance of the independence of the IEC. “The IEC has an amazing international and continental image because of the proficiency and ability to do the work,” says Prof Mchunu.

The three-day conference is running from 22-24 March 2023. It has been attended by prominent figures of South African society including academics, members of legislatures, constitutional and independent statutory bodies, mayors, political parties, youth, students, business leaders, religious leaders, legal fraternity, traditional leaders, media and others

Some of the attendees included Professor Thuli Madonsela, Mr Sello Hatang, Advocate Mojankunyane Gumbi, Mr Valli Moosa, Mr Richard Calland, Professor Omphemetse Sibanda, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, Justice Albie Sachs, COGTA Deputy Minister Mr Parks Tau, Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Hon P Holomisa, Professor S Fikeni, Dr M Motshekga, Dr M Mangena..

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Day 3: National Conference in Pictures

 

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