Thupane Kgopa

South Africa's Transformative Constitutionalism: Historic Achievements, Challenges and Prospects Thupane Kgopa

Transformative constitutionalism is a project under constitutional supremacy which aims at transforming and burying all the wounds of the past to build one unified nation premised on democracy; encompassing freedom and the rule of law, fulfillment of substantive equality and protection of human dignity and other fundamental rights, and the promotion of national unity and reconciliation. Former Chief Justice, Pius Langa asserted that ?it is a permanent ideal which embraces openness to the other, a commitment to inclusive, democratic dialogue, and a sharing of the responsibility of transformation between all three branches of government (legislature, judiciary and executive) in partnership with a vibrant, independent civil society.? It fosters human rights activism and productive jurisprudence through effective judicial activism which lays a proper foundation on the interpretation and application of human rights laws, law in general and protection of human rights altogether. Hence, properly embracing and reinforcing the project is indispensable to all the people of South Africa.