The Constitution of South Africa is the supreme law of the country of South Africa. It provides the legal foundation for the existence of the Republic of South Africa, sets out the rights and duties of the citizens of South Africa, and defines the structure of the Government of South Africa. The current Constitution of South Africa was adopted by the Constitutional Assembly on 11 October 1996, certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December, signed by President Nelson Mandela on 10 December, and came into effect on 4 February 1997, replacing and repealing the Interim Constitution of 1993. Since its adoption, the Constitution has been amended sixteen times.
Nelson Mandela signed the Constitution with these words
“We, the people of South Africa, recognize the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country and believe that south Africa belongs to all who live in it united in our diversity”
The Constitution is formally an Act of the Parliament of South Africa; its official short title is the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and its long title is "An Act to introduce a new Constitution for the Republic of South Africa and to provide for matters incidental thereto". It was formerly also numbered as Act No. 108 of 1996, but since the passage of the Citation of Constitutional Laws Act 2005 it has had no associated Act number.
The South African Constitution has 14 chapters and chapter 2 is about the Bill of rights.
1. The Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.
2. The state must respect, protect, promote and fulfill the rights in the Bill of Rights.
3. The rights in the Bill of Rights are subject to the limitations contained or referred to in section 36, or elsewhere in the Bill.
The Bill of right covers amongst other things following
· Human dignity
· Freedom of expression
· Freedom of Association
· Political rights
· Freedom of religion
· Freedom of trade, occupation or Profession
· Health Care, Food, water and social security
· Language and culture
· Access to information
It’s a pity that a country that keeps reminding us what an awesome Constitution we have supports those assholes from neighboring countries or friends from further a field that trod on their people’s rights at a moments notice and all we hear is “Deafening silence” from our so called leaders.
In the Arab world Gaddafi is still killing his own people and seems to be getting the upper hand against anti Gaddafi rebels. The UN have declared Lybia a no fly zone and I am just sure Gaddafi will obey that (right like that’s going to happen). In fact as I write this French fighter planes have taken out tanks that were advancing on Benghazi. Seems that Gaddafi’s son has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons by asking the French Premier Nicolas Sarkozy to give the money back that Lybia gave him to be able to win the Premiership in France (is it true?....probably not) but as one of the countries that pushed for the UN to bring about the No Fly Zone resolution he has obviously pissed the Gaddafi family off. Elsewhere trouble is still brewing.
· Yemen's beleaguered president declared a state of emergency on Friday after at least 25 protesters were killed at an anti-government rally, saying armed groups rather than the police were behind the violence. Medical sources and witnesses had told Reuters that Yemeni security forces and unidentified snipers had opened fire on the crowds after Muslim prayers in the capital, Sanaa.
- Saudi Arabia's king promised a multibillion dollar package of reforms, raises, cash, loans and apartments on Friday in what appeared to be the Arab world's most expensive attempt to appease residents inspired by the unrest that has swept two leaders from power. He also announced 60 000 new jobs in the security forces - a move that would employ huge numbers of otherwise jobless young men, while bolstering his kingdom's ability to snuff out protests.
Unless South Africa’s policy changes dramatically very soon, Jean-Bertrand Aristide (The asshole who has cost SA taxpayers 30 million rand over the last 7 years) will leave the country today (Thursday) on his way back to Haiti, where he is due to arrive tomorrow. Which won't make South Africa particularly popular with the likes of the United States, which would far rather see him stay the hell away from the country he once ruled until Sunday's final round of presidential election is concluded, thank you very much.
One of our lesser-spotted Constitutional institutions, the Commission for Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, will open a can of worms today. It plans to talk about ukuthwala, the charming rural KZN custom of kidnapping girls, sometimes in their early teens, raping them, then settling up with the family in lobola. Somehow that is one tradition we don't see the commission protecting.
Seems that the Government has 18 months to re-instate the Scorpions and disband the Hawks and this from the Constitutional court. This will be an interesting case as the Scorpions where disbanded because the targeted ANC politicians and were not controlled by the government (remember the JZ case a couple of years back) and came up with the Hawks who were to be told by Government who or what they should be investigating. Lets see how democratic SA really is or will the ANC resort to other African countries to the north of us and tread roughshod over the court or juts bring in new legislation to get around the courts………….Time will tell
It seems that the talk about fighting corruption has lad to Durban mayor and that Pseudo - African Mike Sutcliffe (don’t you just hate it when a white person does all they can to try and look like there African, especially when it comes to dressing in what is not considered traditional European dress…..hey mike if its good enough for JZ and JM then its good enough for you). Seems that Sutcliffe as well as 3 other officials are implicated in irregular housing contracts of 3.5 billion over the past 10 years as well as a litany of other charges. In the eastern Cape officials in the Government have managed to siphon off R800 000 000 through dummy companies and illegal activities that were meant for the Health sector (that is collapsing in parts of the E.C due to lack of monies). Seems some have been arrested while others have resigned. Elsewhere in the country the first in a string of municipal managers implicated in large-scale looting of state coffers involving millions of rand (meant for the people of that municipality) have been arrested this week……..Positive signs but we as citizens need to also speak up about corruption, not only in the government but in the workplace as well.
I heard this week that a new airline is coming to the fore that promises cheaper flights and has said that a flight from Durban to Gauteng will cost you less than the Toll Fees from Durban to Gauteng and that flights from Gauteng to Cape Town will cost R400 one way………….wonder what the planes will look like ?
Japan has had over a week to look at the damage of the earthquake and Tsunami that hit them last week Friday. Its going to cost them Billions and this disaster will also have a knock on effect to the global economy. Petrol will be going up here again next month and a friend in England advised that petrol Is 1.40 pounds per litre (R16 at today’s exchange rate) Japan are talking about 7000 dead 10 000 missing and 450 000 homeless. The biggest concern however is the possibility of a nuclear meltdown from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and there are rumours that radiation has affected the water and food supplies around the plant with people being advised to drink iodine tablets to cut the cancer risk.
The founder of South Africa’s whites only enclave, Professor Carel Bosshoff dies this week age 85. he was buried in the whites only cemetery in Orania this week.
Seems that the UK is building themselves up into a Frenzy regards the April wedding of William and Kate, I am sure of people who have no lives will stake spots on the route to catch a glimpse of the couple or any other of the royal family. There will also be large screens set up in parks in London so you can watch what is going on………. As my sister Nicole in London said if your going to do that you may as well stay at home. I quite frankly don’t give a shit to be honest with you as the Royal family to me are an archaic establishment that are only kept around because they are a tourist attraction, especially the Yanks who ironically fought a war of independence against the Poms but crave everything that is royal………..got to love the yanks (or not)
Sports News this week is that the Sharks lost there aura of invincibility as they lost there first game of the season losing 15-9 to the Waikato Chiefs, the Cheetahs WON “Yeah I know can you believe it”………..they beat the Warathas 21-6. The Lions lost their game and the South African North Vs South tussle ended with the Stormers giving the Bulls their second defeat in a row (and at Loftus). Next week the Sharks take on the Crusaders at Twikenham in London and it seems the game will be packed as a) the Poms would like to see how proper rugby is played and b) With thousands of Saffers and Kiwi’s in London they will want to go and see two great teams at “home” Know my Brother in law will be going…………..so have a jol Doug.
England managed to scrape past the West Indies to probably get a place In the Q finals while SA gave the Bangladesh team a cricket lesson. Lets’ hope that SA don’t choke in the knockout stages. Pakistan also beat Australia this weekend. Ireland beat England 24/8 in the 6 nations yesterday to make March a memorable month for the potato eaters it did not hurt that this Thursday the 17th was Saint Patricks day. Unfortunately the Cape Town based Cobras were crowned champions for the second time in three years when they beat the Port Elizabeth based Warriors by 12 runs in the Standard Bank Pro20 final at Newlands on Friday night. Chasing 167 for victory, the Warriors made 154.
This long weekend has been lekker with some work at home, studying and working on Daniel Roxo book, as usual managed to get to the beach for some swimming and snorkelling, no body boarding as the waves were not big enough.
Tuesday 22nd is World Water day so do something to show that you care about or dwindling water supplies and on saturday 26th at 8.30pm join million around the world who will switch off their lights for 1 hour to help save the planet.
Just before I go what does the word dude mean?.......well in general it means; man, guy, it can also mean city dweller on a ranch holiday, or flashily dressed men, but how many of you knew its also means Camel Penis….Yes Camel penis. So next time you see Gaddafi you can say “Hey dude how’s it hanging”