Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996, as amended to 2023
Obligations of the State
  • English
    We, the people of South Africa …
    We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to –
    Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights; … (Preamble)
Obligations of the State
  • English
    The Republic of South Africa is one, sovereign, democratic state founded on the following values:
    (a) Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms.
    … (Sec. 1)
Obligations of the State
  • English
    (1) This 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 fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights.
    … (Sec. 7)
Obligations of the State
  • English
    (1) The Bill of Rights applies to all law, and binds the legislature, the executive, the judiciary and all organs of state.
    … (Sec. 8)
Obligations of the State
  • English
    …
    (3) The Bill of Rights does not deny the existence of any other rights or freedoms that are recognised or conferred by common law, customary law or legislation, to the extent that they are consistent with the Bill. (Sec. 39)
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Chapter 9 on State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy. According to Art. 181, those institutions are: “(a) The Public Protector. (b) The South African Human Rights Commission. (c) The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. (d) The Commission for Gender Equality. (e) The Auditor-General. (f) The Electoral Commission.”
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Chapter 9 on State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy. According to Art. 181, those institutions are: “(a) The Public Protector. (b) The South African Human Rights Commission. (c) The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. (d) The Commission for Gender Equality. (e) The Auditor-General. (f) The Electoral Commission.”
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Chapter 9 on State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy. According to Art. 181, those institutions are: “(a) The Public Protector. (b) The South African Human Rights Commission. (c) The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. (d) The Commission for Gender Equality. (e) The Auditor-General. (f) The Electoral Commission.”
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5- The Table of Non-Derogable Rights includes Equality (Sec. 9), Human Dignity (Sec. 10), Life (Sec. 11), Freedom and Security of the person (Sec. 12), Slavery, servitude and forced labour (Sec. 13), Children (Sec. 28) and Arrested, detained and accused persons (Sec. 35).
6- Refer to Table of Non-Derogable Rights.

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Chapter 9 on State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy. According to Art. 181, those institutions are: “(a) The Public Protector. (b) The South African Human Rights Commission. (c) The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. (d) The Commission for Gender Equality. (e) The Auditor-General. (f) The Electoral Commission.”
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Chapter 9 on State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy. According to Art. 181, those institutions are: “(a) The Public Protector. (b) The South African Human Rights Commission. (c) The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. (d) The Commission for Gender Equality. (e) The Auditor-General. (f) The Electoral Commission.”
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Chapter 12 on Traditional Leaders.