National Unity and Reconciliation

This Constitution provides a historic bridge between the past

of a deeply divided society characterised by strife, conflict,

untold suffering and injustice, and a future founded on the

recognition of human rights, democracy and peaceful co-existence

and development opportunities for all South Africans, irrespective

of colour, race, class, belief or sex.

The pursuit of national unity, the well-being of all South

African citizens and peace require reconciliation between the

people of South Africa and the reconstruction of society.

The adoption of this Constitution lays the secure foundation

for the people of South Africa to transcend the divisions and

strife of the past, which generated gross violations of human

rights, the transgression of humanitarian principles in violent

conflicts and a legacy of hatred, fear, guilt and revenge.

These can now be addressed on the basis that there is a need

for understanding but not for vengeance, a need for reparation but

not for retaliation, a need for ubuntu but not for victimisation.

In order to advance such reconciliation and reconstruction,

amnesty shall be granted in respect of acts, omissions and offences

associated with political objectives and committed in the course of

the conflicts of the past. To this end, Parliament under this

Constitution shall adopt a law determining a firm cut-off date,

which shall be a date after 8 October 1990 and before 6 December

1993, and providing for the mechanisms, criteria and procedures,

including tribunals, if any, through which such amnesty shall be

dealt with at any time after the law has been passed.

With this Constitution and these commitments we, the people of

South Africa, open a new chapter in the history of our country.

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika. God seen Suid-Afrika

Morena boloka sechaba sa heso. May God bless our country

Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afrika. Hosi katekisa Afrika