As Constitutional Court turns 30, Ramaphosa vows support for judicial independence
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined dignitaries and judicial leaders at Constitutional Hill to honour the court's legacy of championing rights and shaping democracy, on the 30th anniversary of South Africa's (SA's) Constitutional Court.
When former President Nelson Mandela opened the doors of the Constitutional Court for the first time on 14 February 1995, he reminded the founding bench of their duty, saying: 'Yours is the most noble task that could fall to any legal person. In the last resort, the guarantee of the fundamental rights and freedoms for which we have fought so hard lies in your hands. We look to you to honour the Constitution and the people it represents.''
On Friday, 20 June 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa, members of the government, former and current chief justices, and dignitaries from around the world, gathered at Constitutional Hill. To commemorate 30 years since the establishment of the apex court and each landmark judgment which pushed SA closer to turning the Constitution into a living document.
Delivering his keynote address, Ramaphosa said that since ConCourt was established, it has handed down judgments that have had a profound impact on the law in SA, including the abolishment of the death penalty in 1995, the 2002 right to health care and access to HIV/Aids treatment, the 2004 right of access to social security by permanent residents, among many others.
While Ramaphosa praised the ConCourt for its meaningful work over the last 30 years, remaining unshaken when embroiled in political pressure and controversies, the president acknowledged that 'the advancement of socio-economic rights is not as far as we wish it to be, particularly with respect to housing and basic services'.
Referencing the landmark Grootboom judgment, in which Irene Grootboom and her family's right to access adequate housing was affirmed by the ConCourt, Ramaphosa said it was a blight on SA's hard-won democracy that Grootboom died without her dream of a decent house being fulfilled.
'Deepening respect for constitutionalism across all sectors must start with the state.
'We must acknowledge the troubling irony of lauding the Constitutional Court's progressive judgments on one hand, especially on socio-economic rights, with the reality that the state apparatus has in many of these cases had to be compelled by this very court to fulfil its obligations,' said the president.
'Our people should not have to resort to litigation to have their rights realised, and this is the paramount consideration.'
More support
Ramaphosa said the state had on many occasions failed to support the court adequately and vowed that this would change.
To this end, Ramaphosa vowed that the government would increase its support to the judiciary to ensure that it could execute its duties independently, effectively and with dignity.
'Government must and will provide a range of institutional, infrastructure, financial, administrative, and legal support. The support is crucial to maintaining judicial independence, which is a cornerstone of democracy and the rule of law,' he said.
The challenges faced by ConCourt are well documented, especially concerning finalising matters against targets. The Constitutional Court Review found that over the years, the court's workload had increased significantly, which has led to longer processing times for judgments.
The government is working to solve this. Ramaphosa said that funding for the ConCourt was mentioned for the first time in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's recent Budget speech, with money being allocated to enhance access to justice and improve court services.
'We reaffirm our commitment to providing all the necessary support to our courts as they administer justice. At our meeting with the judiciary recently, we committed to taking steps to advance the independence of the judiciary and the future of our courts' administration,' he said.
Speaking to journalists at the sidelines of the commemoration, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, who is leading the commemoration, said Ramaphosa's announcement was a long time coming.
'We are quite happy, naturally, about this development,' said Maya.
'It was understood that the rendering of the judiciary to be fully independent would happen in two stages, the first one starting in 2013. It was anticipated that the finalisation of the process would be put into place soon thereafter, but it has dragged and dragged for well over a decade. It's never too late to do the right thing, here we are now, and moves are afoot,' Chief Justice Maya said.
Targeting full judicial independence
Maya said that the judiciary is in a hurry to finally obtain full judicial independence, jokingly adding that they would not allow the president and his team to delay the process any further.
Standing next to Maya, Ramaphosa said that a joint committee had been appointed to work on the modalities, and everything that needs to be in place to ensure that the judiciary can execute its role without any hindrance.
'Its own independence as an entity has always been secured, it's just been the support that it needs from government that we are now putting in place,' Ramaphosa said. DM
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
The national dialogue must include the concerns of the Indian minority
Indian South Africans are descendants of indentured labourers. To build a just and cohesive future, the writer says South Africa must engage with every community's story, not only in the past tense, but in the living reality of today's challenges. Image: South African History Online PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of a National Dialogue is a powerful call to action. It is not a mere event or ceremonial gathering, it is a participatory, unfolding process that will stretch from grassroots consultations to a National Convention, aiming to reset our democratic compact and imagine a shared South African future. As the first phase begins on August 15, it is vital that the concerns of all communities are placed firmly on the agenda. This includes the Indian minority, whose contributions and challenges remain under-recognised in national discourse. The National Dialogue promises to be inclusive, representative, and future-focused. Civil society, political parties, traditional and religious leaders, workers, youth, and other key voices are to be engaged in conversations that will culminate in a second National Convention. There, a common vision and programme of action will be adopted. An Eminent Persons Group will help guide this historic initiative, ensuring it is more than rhetoric, it must be renewed in action. Yet, if this dialogue is truly to reflect the diversity of our nation, it must acknowledge the unique experiences and present-day realities of Indian South Africans. The prognosis for this community, which has been rooted in South African soil since 1860, is shaped by a history of marginalisation, contemporary economic pressures, and a search for identity within a changing socio-political landscape. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Indian South Africans are descendants of indentured labourers and free migrants who came to work in the sugar cane fields of Natal, later becoming traders, workers, and professionals despite the systematic discrimination of colonialism and apartheid. From forced removals under the Group Areas Act to limited political representation under white rule, their history is one of struggle and resilience. Post-apartheid freedom offered formal equality, but the legacy of exclusion persists. Indian South Africans remain a small minority navigating between integration and the preservation of cultural identity. This balancing act is complicated by rising economic inequality, political fragmentation, and at times, resurgent xenophobia and racial scapegoating. Economically, the Indian community often occupies a middle-tier status, better off than many, but still vulnerable. Many small businesses, particularly in logistics, trade, and manufacturing, are threatened by infrastructure failures, load-shedding, and water shortages. While affirmative action is vital for redressing historical wrongs, it can create new forms of exclusion when not applied sensitively. The perception of Indian South Africans as a "privileged" group masks the deep inequalities within the community itself. In recent years, skilled professionals have increasingly sought stability abroad, while working-class Indians remain in under-resourced townships like Chatsworth, Phoenix, and Lenasia, grappling with drugs, unemployment, and crime. These townships are also increasingly diverse, as African and Indian communities live side by side, an opportunity for unity, but also a potential flashpoint if tensions are not addressed through inclusive dialogue. The Indian identity in South Africa is multifaceted, comprising Hindu, Muslim, and Christian faiths, and languages like Tamil, Hindi, and Gujarati. This internal diversity enriches the cultural landscape of the nation. Indian festivals, places of worship, and traditional practices remain vibrant, even as the younger generation increasingly blends identities and adopts cosmopolitan lifestyles. To build a just and cohesive future, South Africa must engage with every community's story, not only in the past tense, but in the living reality of today's challenges. For Indian South Africans, this means: recognising historical contributions and present vulnerabilities; ensuring meaningful political representation in both local and national processes; supporting economic resilience through inclusive growth strategies; protecting cultural expression while promoting intercultural solidarity; addressing township neglect, crime, and substance abuse with tailored, community - driven interventions. The National Dialogue provides a rare moment of reflection and reimagining. If we are to emerge stronger from the crises of our time - inequality, political division, climate shocks, and social fragmentation, we must build a South Africa where every community sees itself in the national mirror. Indian South Africans, while a minority, are not marginal to the national story. Their inclusion in this dialogue is not a favour; it is a necessity for a credible, durable, and democratic social compact. Let us speak not just of unity, but of justice, rooted in recognition, responsibility, and renewal. Jerald Vedan Image: Supplied
eNCA
5 hours ago
- eNCA
Ramaphosa calls for diplomatic resolution
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Israel-Iran conflict should be resolved through dialogue. He's concerned about the uncertainty around an increase in global fuel prices. "We want to continue calling on all actors that dialogue, peace-making is the only way in which to solve problems," Ramaphosa said.
Daily Maverick
7 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
As Constitutional Court turns 30, Ramaphosa vows support for judicial independence
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined dignitaries and judicial leaders at Constitutional Hill to honour the court's legacy of championing rights and shaping democracy, on the 30th anniversary of South Africa's (SA's) Constitutional Court. When former President Nelson Mandela opened the doors of the Constitutional Court for the first time on 14 February 1995, he reminded the founding bench of their duty, saying: 'Yours is the most noble task that could fall to any legal person. In the last resort, the guarantee of the fundamental rights and freedoms for which we have fought so hard lies in your hands. We look to you to honour the Constitution and the people it represents.'' On Friday, 20 June 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa, members of the government, former and current chief justices, and dignitaries from around the world, gathered at Constitutional Hill. To commemorate 30 years since the establishment of the apex court and each landmark judgment which pushed SA closer to turning the Constitution into a living document. Delivering his keynote address, Ramaphosa said that since ConCourt was established, it has handed down judgments that have had a profound impact on the law in SA, including the abolishment of the death penalty in 1995, the 2002 right to health care and access to HIV/Aids treatment, the 2004 right of access to social security by permanent residents, among many others. While Ramaphosa praised the ConCourt for its meaningful work over the last 30 years, remaining unshaken when embroiled in political pressure and controversies, the president acknowledged that 'the advancement of socio-economic rights is not as far as we wish it to be, particularly with respect to housing and basic services'. Referencing the landmark Grootboom judgment, in which Irene Grootboom and her family's right to access adequate housing was affirmed by the ConCourt, Ramaphosa said it was a blight on SA's hard-won democracy that Grootboom died without her dream of a decent house being fulfilled. 'Deepening respect for constitutionalism across all sectors must start with the state. 'We must acknowledge the troubling irony of lauding the Constitutional Court's progressive judgments on one hand, especially on socio-economic rights, with the reality that the state apparatus has in many of these cases had to be compelled by this very court to fulfil its obligations,' said the president. 'Our people should not have to resort to litigation to have their rights realised, and this is the paramount consideration.' More support Ramaphosa said the state had on many occasions failed to support the court adequately and vowed that this would change. To this end, Ramaphosa vowed that the government would increase its support to the judiciary to ensure that it could execute its duties independently, effectively and with dignity. 'Government must and will provide a range of institutional, infrastructure, financial, administrative, and legal support. The support is crucial to maintaining judicial independence, which is a cornerstone of democracy and the rule of law,' he said. The challenges faced by ConCourt are well documented, especially concerning finalising matters against targets. The Constitutional Court Review found that over the years, the court's workload had increased significantly, which has led to longer processing times for judgments. The government is working to solve this. Ramaphosa said that funding for the ConCourt was mentioned for the first time in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's recent Budget speech, with money being allocated to enhance access to justice and improve court services. 'We reaffirm our commitment to providing all the necessary support to our courts as they administer justice. At our meeting with the judiciary recently, we committed to taking steps to advance the independence of the judiciary and the future of our courts' administration,' he said. Speaking to journalists at the sidelines of the commemoration, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, who is leading the commemoration, said Ramaphosa's announcement was a long time coming. 'We are quite happy, naturally, about this development,' said Maya. 'It was understood that the rendering of the judiciary to be fully independent would happen in two stages, the first one starting in 2013. It was anticipated that the finalisation of the process would be put into place soon thereafter, but it has dragged and dragged for well over a decade. It's never too late to do the right thing, here we are now, and moves are afoot,' Chief Justice Maya said. Targeting full judicial independence Maya said that the judiciary is in a hurry to finally obtain full judicial independence, jokingly adding that they would not allow the president and his team to delay the process any further. Standing next to Maya, Ramaphosa said that a joint committee had been appointed to work on the modalities, and everything that needs to be in place to ensure that the judiciary can execute its role without any hindrance. 'Its own independence as an entity has always been secured, it's just been the support that it needs from government that we are now putting in place,' Ramaphosa said. DM
