Hon Speaker, all three arms of the state - the executive, Parliament and the judiciary - derive their authority and function from the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The Preamble categorically states that our Constitution, which is the supreme law of the Republic, is meant to, and I quote:
Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights;
Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people ...
Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; and
Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.
In its founding provisions, the Constitution further states that, and I quote:
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) Nonracialism and nonsexism. c) Supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. d) Universal adult suffrage ...
It is quite clear from this that the transformation of South African society is not only a political ideal that is pursued by individuals and organisations, but also a constitutional injunction for each and every one of us inside and outside of this august House. This is in fact what the liberation struggle was all about, and transformation remains our guiding principle in our quest to build a united and prosperous society.
Failure by any of the three arms of the state to pursue the noble goal of transforming our society into a united, democratic, nonracial, nonsexist, equal and just society would simply be against the letter and spirit of our Constitution.
The bottom line is this: It is the shared responsibility of all three arms of the state to work tirelessly for the advancement of the political, social and economic rights of all our people, as enshrined in our Constitution.
These include, but are not limited to the right to equality; the right to human dignity; the right to freedom of association; the right to vote and be voted for; the right to freedom of movement; the right to fair labour practices; the right to live in an environment that is not harmful to one's health and wellbeing; the right to property and land; the right to adequate housing; the right to health care services, food, water and social security; the right to basic and further education; and the right to use a language and participate in a cultural life of one's choice.
Section 27(2) of the Constitution states, and I quote:
The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of each of these rights.
It is in the realisation of these rights that true transformation will be achieved in our country. I thank you. [Applause.]