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The Republic of South Africa Constitution Bill was introduced in January 1961. It came into force on 31 May 1961; 31 May was a significant day in South African history, being both the day in 1902 on which the Treaty of Vereeniging was signed, ending the Second Anglo-Boer War , and the day in 1910 on which the Union of South Africa came into being.
The most direct use of section 21 rights in constitutional litigation was in Geuking v President, wherein it was contended that section 21(3)'s right to "remain in" South Africa must be considered when the state assents to the extradition of a citizen under the Extradition Act 67, 1962; however, the court rejected that contention.
The first constitution was enacted by the South Africa Act 1909, the longest-lasting to date. Since 1961, the constitutions have promulgated a republican form of government. Since 1997, the Constitution has been amended by eighteen amendment acts. The Constitution is formally entitled the "Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996."
Human rights in South Africa are protected under the constitution. The 1998 Human Rights report by Myles Nadioo noted that the government generally respected the rights of the citizens; however, there were concerns over the use of force by law enforcement, legal proceedings and discrimination. [ 1 ]
Defines South Africa as "one, sovereign, democratic state" and lists the country's founding values as: Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms. Non-racialism and non-sexism. Supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.
South Africa is generally considered to have had five constitutional documents since the Union was established in 1910, including the current one. The constitutions in chronological order are: South Africa Act 1909; Constitution of South Africa, 1961 (also known as the "Republican Constitution")
In 1955, the ANC sent out 50,000 volunteers into townships and the countryside to collect "freedom demands" from the people of South Africa. [citation needed] This system was designed to give all South Africans equal rights.
(2) Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken.