President of South Africa addresses the National Conference on the Constitution

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address on Wednesday 22 March on the first day of the three-day National Conference on the Constitution.

"I truly believe that this meeting of South Africans in all their diversity will identify workable measures that will contribute significantly to the achievement of our constitutional objectives. This conference is an opportunity to think about the path we must take to strengthen our constitutional democracy and address the challenges of the rule of law, accountability and social and economic justice," said the South African leader.

"Strengthening and consolidating constitutional democracy requires ethical, committed and effective leadership in all areas of our society, political will and the support of all our citizens," he added.

The event is being held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng under the theme "Reflections on the Constitution: Rule of law, accountability, social and economic justice".

The conference is an opportunity for the nation to engage in dialogue on the past 25 years of the Constitution, nation-building, gender equality, youth economic empowerment, service delivery and social stability, with the objective of charting a way forward that builds on the gains of democracy.

The National Conference on the Constitution, as a platform for vigorous debate on the objectives and effectiveness of the Constitution, intends to broaden the debate and encourage members of the public to participate in the debate on constitutionalism and democracy in the country.

Some of the main thrusts of the programme include:

- transformation and growth of the economy;

The conference brings together prominent members of South African society, including academics, members of legislative, constitutional and independent statutory bodies, mayors, political parties, youth, students, business leaders, religious leaders and the media, as reported by the South African government's official website.

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