Have you read the Preamble to South Africa’s Constitution?
February 6th, 2010I am not sure how this happened, but I had never read the preamble to South Africa’s Constitution. Until my friend Annie posted it on her blog earlier this week. I felt even more ashamed after reading it there because she is not even South African – she is an American who emigrated to South Africa! So, yeah, she wins.
But I finally read it, and it gave me goosebumps. So for anyone out there who have also not read it, here it is…
We, the people of South Africa,
Recognise 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.
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;
- Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law;
- Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; and
- Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.
May God protect our people.
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso.
God seën Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa.
Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afurika. Hosi katekisa Afrika.
I’m proud to be from a country where we can openly and honestly acknowledge the mistakes of our past, so that we don’t repeat them in the future.
Annie February 9th, 2010 at 11:42 am
It’s a stunning piece of literature, né? I’m so glad we moved here…