A HISTORIC CALL TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH AFRICA
TAKE PART IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW – YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT!

 “The price of silence is surrender. The reward of action is freedom.”

A CRUCIAL MOMENT FOR DEMOCRACY
South Africa is in its 31st year of democracy, and it stands at a defining crossroads emanating from a myriad of issues that ought to shape South Africa's next trajectory.  Our Parliament has called upon all citizens, the true custodians of this nation, to make submissions toward the Review of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. This public invitation is until the 31st of May when we all should make our submissions. 

This is not just a bureaucratic process. It is a once, in a generation opportunity to correct critical gaps, restore the true spirit of democratic accountability, and reaffirm citizenship as the foundation of sovereignty. 

WHY THIS REVIEW MATTERS TO YOU
South Africans have witnessed moments of an erosion of the clarity, integrity, and implementation of key constitutional principles. There have been instances where many citizens have raised valid concerns around how certain sections of the Constitution are being interpreted, often in ways that dilute national identity, undermining our sovereignty, and place the interests of foreign individuals and political elites above those of the people. 

Now is the time to speak. Now is the time to act.

KEY AREAS WHERE YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED
1. SECTION 86 : ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT 
Under the current system, the President is elected by Members of Parliament, often through party centric negotiations which exclude citizens from this fundamental democratic act. This method, while legal, undermines true democracy, as it enables political parties, not the people, to determine who leads the nation.

This has already had its own repercussions where Presidents have been recalled without the input of the voters, the citizens. This is gross mishap and flaw in the observation of the execution of our democracy. The isolation of the voter's voices in the removal of the head of state, removed the true custodians of our democracy and places it only on political parties, something the constitution should safeguard. 

A need for a constitutional amendment that allows South Africans to directly elect the President through a popular vote is well established and it has to be fought for at all cost.  There is merit in the call for the constitution to reflect this in order to guard against any political party deals which exclude the citizens.
Let the highest office in the land be chosen by the collective will of its citizens through a transparent, fair and democratic process of election and not by backroom party deals. 

2. THE PREAMBLE – WHO DOES SOUTH AFRICA BELONG TO?
The Constitution begins with the phrase:
"South Africa belongs to all who live in it."

While born of a desire for unity and reconciliation, this vague and overly broad statement has been interpreted to extend constitutional privileges to everyone who happens to be within our borders, regardless of citizenship or legal status.

This wording blurs the line between citizens and non-citizens, weakening national sovereignty and public trust in state institutions.

Clarity in the Constitution:
South Africa belongs to its rightful citizens, those who have a legal, historic, and constitutional bond to this land. The constitution must unequivocally spell out all crystal circumstances under which this phrase of the preamble is contextualized. The ambiguity with which this phrase has been interpreted perpetuates confusion but also leaves it for exploitation. 

3. THE BILL OF RIGHTS – RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS FOR CITIZENS FIRST
The Bill of Rights is the most powerful part of our Constitution. It guarantees dignity, equality, freedom of speech, education, housing, healthcare, and more.

But these rights were crafted for citizens of South Africa and not for undocumented individuals, temporary visitors, or those who have bypassed lawful immigration procedures yet greatly be found enjoying these rights from no basis and sometimes out of the exploitation of the spirit of Ubuntu from which our principles are espoused.

A clear reassertion in the Constitution:
The comprehensive Bill of rights section must exclusively cater for a full enjoyment of constitutional rights and freedoms reserved for citizens and must pronounce the grounds to provide
Non-citizens may be protected under humanitarian principles, but they must not enjoy the same access to public resources, entitlements, and protections reserved for South Africans.

4. DEFINE AND DEFEND SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENSHIP
South African citizenship is not just paperwork, it is a sacred constitutional status that comes with rights, responsibilities, and the duty to protect the nation.

It must be noted that:

A clear constitutional definition of South African citizenship must be crystallised in our constitution and leave no ambiguity as it currently seems to be the case. 
Protection against the abuse or dilution of citizenship
Strict standards for acquiring and retaining citizenship based on national identity, interest, integrity, and allegiance to the Republic 

5. FOUNDING VALUES, TIME TO REAFFIRM OUR NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY

The Founding Provisions of the Constitution must be revisited to place citizens at the centre of our democracy.

The Constitution must boldly reaffirm that:

South Africa is a sovereign, democratic republic, governed by the will of its citizens
The State exists to serve and protect South African citizens
National unity, integrity, and public resources must be guarded against exploitation and external interests

Make your submission. Mobilise your community. Share this call.
Let the Constitution once again be the true voice of the people by the citizens and for the citizens.