Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS)
Every South African should feel worthy, writes Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa in the run-up to Human Rights Day.
Ramaphosa writes in his weekly newsletter on Monday that the Constitution is much more than just the supreme law of the land. “It is a solemn promise that no person will ever again be stripped of his or her humanity and dignity.”
Ramaphosa writes that in the run-up to Human Rights Day, which is celebrated on Saturday, South Africa must reflect on whether this promise is fulfilled.
“Of all the values enshrined in our Constitution, one of the most fundamental is the promotion of human dignity. This is the foundation on which the rights to equality, freedom from discrimination, education, health, a safe environment and others are built.
“It is the idea that every person has an inherent value that must be respected and protected.
“It is a right that must be preserved in all circumstances,” writes Ramaphosa.
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa (Photo: Jairus Rabbit/GCIS)
“In our Constitution, human dignity is not an abstract ideal, but a concrete right that has meaning in people’s daily lives. The right to dignity is put into effect by legislation, institutions and policy. Our courts continue to uphold this right and, where necessary, order the government and those in positions of power to take measures to improve people’s dignity.
“The protection of a person’s right to dignity is not limited to the way people treat each other. It is about improving the conditions in which people live,” writes Ramaphosa.
He then argues that since the adoption of the Constitution in 1996, the government has been working hard to restore the dignity of all South Africans.
“Millions of South Africans today have access to water, electricity, health care, education and social support that they were denied under apartheid.
“This work, which we undertook together as a society, has improved the human dignity of children, who are supported by a child maintenance allowance, who have access to early childhood development, who attend free schools, who receive meals at school and who will have access to funding to study at a university or college,” writes Ramaphosa.
“The provision of housing, water and electricity has changed the lives of families across the country, reducing poverty and improving their quality of life.”
But human dignity also means that people must be involved in decisions that affect their lives and shape their country, Ramaphosa points out.
Dear Fellow South African,
This year, we mark three decades since South Africa adopted its democratic Constitution. The Constitution is more than the supreme law of the land; it is a solemn promise that never again should any person be stripped of their humanity and dignity.… pic.twitter.com/OEqx79R7nA
— Cyril Ramaphosa ???????? (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 16, 2026
“That is why it is so important that democratic institutions are built and defended. And that a free media, an independent judiciary and a dynamic civil society strengthen accountability.
“We know that our work is far from done,” the president admitted in his newsletter.
“Poverty, inequality and unemployment remain persistent obstacles to the full realization of human dignity for every South African.
“This is why we are working even harder to accelerate the momentum of economic recovery, so that our economy can grow faster, we can create jobs and reduce poverty.
“When we mobilize investments to build factories or open mines to create jobs and opportunities for emerging businesses, or when we build new roads and renovate hospitals, we are working towards a society in which everyone has dignity.
“When we lay new pipes to bring water to remote villages or repair aging water infrastructure in cities and towns, or when we restore the electricity supply to communities, we promote the right to dignity.
“As the global economic outlook becomes increasingly uncertain, we need to stick to the path we are on.
“We must sustain our massive investment in infrastructure, continue far-reaching reforms in energy, water and logistics, review our skills development system and expand support to small businesses.
“On Human Rights Day this year, let us rededicate ourselves to the Constitution and its most cherished principles. Let us resolve in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities to treat every person with the dignity that is their right – and let us never stop striving for it until we have ensured that every person can live in dignity, comfort and peace.”