Ramaphosa: ConCourt a pillar of democracy, national unity

At the same time, the president acknowledged that the constitutional promises made at the dawn of democracy remain unfulfilled for many citizens.

Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address on Friday at the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Court at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein.

The court was formed in 1995 to safeguard the Constitution and uphold the rights of all South Africans.

"We celebrate the existence of this court over the 30 years in which it has defended our democracy and its democratic vision, as set out in our birth certificate — our Constitution," said Ramaphosa.

"This court has been the guardian, watching over our nation's legal constitutional health, just as a parent would attend to the health of their growing child. The establishment of the court lent legitimacy to the new order at a time when we were emerging from decades of apartheid oppression."

The president described the Constitutional Court as an institution born out of "struggle and hope", rooted in the belief that South Africa should never again be governed without dignity, equality, and justice.

-Standing firm under pressure-

Ramaphosa praised the court for its resilience in the face of political pressures, noting that its judgments have often carried significant political weight.

"What has defined the Constitutional Court that we are proud of is not just the wisdom of its judgments, but the courage of its convictions; it has withstood political pressure, defended the separation of powers, and asserted that no person or institution is above the Constitution. It has done so with a steady voice, grounded in reason, compassion, and principle. This very building here on Constitutional Hill is a testament to that resilience."

However, Ramaphosa did not hesitate to address the challenges facing South Africa’s constitutional democracy. He admitted that for many citizens, the ideals promised by the Constitution remain out of reach.

"The reality we must confront is that there are significant challenges to constitutionalism today. There is a disconnect between the promise of our Constitution and the lived realities of South Africans," Ramaphosa said.

He highlighted persistent inequality, threats to judicial independence, non-compliance with court orders, and diminishing trust in the justice system as critical concerns.

"The advancement of socio-economic rights is not as far as we wish it to be, particularly with respect to the rights of our people in relation to housing and basic services that should sustain their lives, it will forever remain a blight on our democracy that the applicant in the ground-making judgment, Miss Irene, died in 2008 without her dream of a decent house having been fulfilled, despite her right to housing having been adjudicated by this court."

-Promoting unity and awareness-

Ramaphosa commended the apex court for its role in raising awareness about constitutional rights and helping to unify the nation through its jurisprudence.

"This court has contributed not just judicial validation of the constitutional order, but it has elevated the consciousness of our people about their constitutional rights. It has contributed to building trust in our judicial system," he said..

"This objective of national cohesion and reconciliation has been enhanced by the court through its decisions. It has ensured that all people in our country are treated fairly and equally under the law, thus affirming the legitimacy of the legal order and promoting a sense of belonging amongst all citizens.

"The Constitutional Court has not only protected the rights of individuals but has served as a beacon of justice and a custodian of hope. It remains essential in our efforts to build a just, equal, and united South Africa," he said.

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