Cape Town
As South Africa reflects on nearly three decades of constitutional democracy, questions around whether the country has delivered on its promises of equality, dignity, and justice are coming into sharp focus.
This evening, from 17:00 to 19:00, a virtual Roundtable discussion will bring together a cross-section of society to interrogate the theme: “The Constitutional Commitment to Social Justice: A Constitution Review Conversation for a Reimagined South Africa.” The session, hosted by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) at Stellenbosch University, forms part of the national response to Parliament’s annual constitutional review process.
🔗 Join the event here: https://shorturl.at/94oaB
South Africa’s Constitution, lauded globally for its progressive stance on human rights, declares that “everyone has the right to equality, dignity, and access to social and economic rights.” Yet for many South Africans—especially those in rural, impoverished, and marginalised communities—these rights remain out of reach.
The Roundtable aims to assess the gap between constitutional ideals and the lived realities of millions. It will offer a platform for civil society actors, legal minds, researchers, and policymakers to question whether the nation’s commitment to social justice and human rights has translated into meaningful change on the ground.
“Justice that does not translate into improved lives for the poor is merely symbolic,” said organisers from the CSJ.
Notable participants include:
- Prof. Thuli Madonsela, Director of the CSJ and former Public Protector, who has long championed social justice reform.
- Justice Albie Sachs, a freedom fighter and former Constitutional Court Justice who helped craft the founding document.
- Alex Motshwanetsi Mathole, V20 Sustainability Stream Lead.
- Maricia Froneman, Head of Access to Justice at the Thuli Madonsela Foundation.
While Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi will also participate, the Roundtable is designed to centre the voices of citizens, rights defenders, and policy advocates as they examine where the country is falling short—and how to fix it.
Key issues on the table include:
- Why poverty, inequality, and discrimination persist despite constitutional protections?
- How to ensure access to land, housing, healthcare, and education as enforceable rights?
- Whether the Constitution needs strengthening or clarification to advance its social justice objectives?
The insights and recommendations will form part of a formal written submission to Parliament, along with a policy brief proposing concrete, actionable reforms aimed at bridging the gap between rights and reality.
This Roundtable is more than a discussion; it is a reckoning with the unfinished work of transformation in post-apartheid South Africa. While the Constitution remains a powerful tool for justice, the event will interrogate whether state institutions, public policy, and social structures are aligned with its vision.
For many, the question remains: Is South Africa truly living up to the spirit of its Constitution—or simply quoting it?
