Mabe to Lead Sharpeville Ceremony Marking 29 Years of South African Constitution

Share the Article:

Deputy Minister Peace Mabe will lead South Africa’s commemoration of the 29th anniversary of the Constitution’s signing in Sharpeville on Wednesday, marking the nation’s supreme law.

A commemoration will be held at George Thabe Stadium in Sharpeville on December 10, 2025. SA’s history, constitutional milestones, arts and culture’s role in national cohesion will feature in the programme.

Attendees will include government representatives, civil society organisations, youth groups, cultural practitioners, and residents of the Vaal.

Sharpeville, a site representing the pain of apartheid and the moral resolve of South Africa’s democratic transition, is central to the country’s constitutional journey.

In 1960, peaceful anti-pass law protestors were met with deadly force there, revealing the cruelty of the racially oppressive system to the world.

In 1996, President Nelson Mandela chose this very community for the signing of the democratic Constitution, cementing Sharpeville as a site of remembrance, accountability and national renewal.

South Africa’s 29th anniversary prompts reflection on its evolving legal and moral framework, tracing the journey from the 1955 Freedom Charter demands, through the 1990s negotiations, to its globally acclaimed, rights-affirming Constitution.

The Constitution anchors the rights and responsibilities of every person who lives in South Africa.

The Bill of Rights protects fundamental rights, including equality, human dignity, life, freedom of expression, cultural and language rights, and socio-economic guarantees, all of which shape public policy and enhance democratic accountability.

These provisions shape national development, guide the work of the courts and inspire programmes dedicated to social cohesion and community empowerment.

Mabe will lead a commemoration, giving a keynote speech on constitutionalism’s importance in a changing society.

Sharpeville … freedom was not theoretical

“Our Constitution carries the memory of struggle, the wisdom of negotiation and the hope of future generations. Sharpeville is a reminder that the road to freedom was not theoretical — it was lived, it was painful, and it demanded courage.

“As we mark 29 years since the signing, we are called to honour that courage by defending constitutional values in our institutions, our communities and our daily conduct,” she said.

In her address, Mabe will emphasise the shared responsibility of citizens and leaders to bolster democratic culture, ensure accountability, and protect rights integral to the nation’s identity.

ALSO READ | ANC Johannesburg Elects Loyiso Masuku as Chairperson, Shaking Up Local Politics

“A Constitution’s strength relies on societal commitment, requiring active participation to foster inclusive communities, safeguard cultural and linguistic diversity, and ensure freedom is practically realised rather than remaining a mere promise.

“This anniversary is therefore not a ritual; it is a national instruction to safeguard the principles that define South Africa,” Mabe stated.