Page:Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 from Government Gazette.djvu/7



Chapter 1—Founding Provisions

Republic of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is one, sovereign, democratic state founded on the following values:

Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms. Non-racialism and non-sexism. Supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law. Universal adult suffrage, a national common voters roll, regular elections and a multi-party system of democratic government, to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness.

Supremacy of Constitution

This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic; law or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid, and the obligations imposed by it must be fulfilled.

Citizenship

There is a common South African citizenship.

All citizens are ―

equally entitled to the rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship; and equally subject to the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

National legislation must provide for the acquisition, loss and restoration of citizenship.

National anthem

The national anthem of the Republic is determined by the President by proclamation.

National flag

The national flag of the Republic is black, gold, green, white, red and blue, as described and sketched in Schedule 1.

Languages

The official languages of the Republic are Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu.