Section 1 Republic of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is one sovereign democratic state
founded on the following values:
(a) Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the
advancement of human rights and freedoms.
(b) Non-racialism and non-sexism.
(c) Supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.
(d) Universal adult suffrage, a national common voters roll,
regular elections and a multi-party system of democratic
government, to ensure accountability, responsiveness and
openness.
Section 2 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.
Section 3 Citizenship
(1) There is a common South African citizenship.
(2) All citizens are -
(a) equally entitled to the rights, privileges and benefits of
citizenship; and
(b) equally subject to the duties and responsibilities of
citizenship.
(3) National legislation must provide for the acquisition, loss
and restoration of citizenship.
Section 4 National anthem
The national anthem of the Republic is determined by the
President by proclamation.
Section 5 National flag
The national flag of the Republic is black, gold, green, white,
red and blue, as described and sketched in Schedule 1.
Section 6 Languages
(1) The official languages of the Republic are Sepedi, Sesotho,
Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English,
isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu.
(2) Recognising the historically diminished use and status of the
indigenous languages of our people, the state must take
practical and positive measures to elevate the status and advance
the use of these languages.
(3) (a) The national government and provincial governments
may use any particular official languages for the purposes of
government, taking into account usage, practicality, expense,
regional circumstances and the balance of the needs and
preferences of the population as a whole or in the province
concerned; but the national government and each provincial
government must use at least two official languages.
(b) Municipalities must take into account the language usage
and preferences of their residents.
(4) The national government and provincial governments, by
legislative and other measures, must regulate and monitor their
use of official languages. Without detracting from the
provisions of subsection (2), all official languages must enjoy
parity of esteem and must be treated equitably.
(5) A Pan South African Language Board established by
national legislation must -
(a) promote and create conditions for the development and use
of -
(i) all official languages;
(ii) the Khoi, Nama and San languages; and
(iii) sign language ; and
(b) promote and ensure respect for -
(i) all languages commonly used by communities in South
Africa, including German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Portuguese,
Tamil, Telegu and Urdu; and
(ii) Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit and other languages used for
religious purposes in South Africa.