Sa's Constitution Remains Among The Most Progressive

Social Justice Chairperson at Stellenbosch University, Professor Thuli Madonsela, maintains that South Africas SA Constitution remains one of the most progressive in the world. As the country commemorates Human Rights Month, many citizens say the adoption of the Freedom Charter is no longer inspiring. This years Human Rights Month is commemorated under the theme, Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights.

Madonsela says the country has achieved a lot since the adoption of the Freedom Charter in June 1955.

If you look at the Constitution, based on the results, you could be tempted to say that its no longer inspiring. But if you look at where we started, you would understand that we now have civil and political rights.

I mean, if you look at whats happening in what used to be the greatest democracy in the world, the United States, and compared to here, you wouldnt have a civil servant kicked out of their job. We can all participate in politics as equals, but also we have no free schools, we have grants, we have the SRD grant, so even on land where we havent done very well, its still better than yesterday.

Human Rights Month Spotlight on effective leadership and governance:

Madonsela has called on Cabinet to exempt ordinary citizens from an increase in value-added tax VAT.