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25 May 1996
OBJECTIONS
I object to the manner in which
the public is required to raise their objections against any section of the new
Constitution.
This is suppose to be a democratic elected country, but I
feel that participation marketing in respect of the above has not been performed
and has failed dismally.
The man on the street, most being from the
unprivileged class, many being elderly have not been informed as to the
requirements that
must be met in order to lodge an objection/s i.e. objections
must be typewritten, comprise of 25 copies, postal address of Registrar,
phone
number of Registrar to obtain the above information or relevant queries. Most
South Africans do not know where to obtain such
information and they do not
have the means to comply with the requirements laid down, since many of them do
not possess a typewriter,
no typing ability, cannot afford to pay for phostat
copies or typist, not speaking of the heavy postage costs.
The new
constitution is a very important document and the acceptance thereof by the
people must not be hampered with above obstacles.
I understand your
problem in respect of deciphering written objections, but the above-mentioned
people should somehow have the opportunity
to voice their
objections.
Take for instance the adjustments made tot he preamble of the
constitution. The majority of South Africans are Christians and would
vehemently be opposed to the adjustments. This preamble is the most important
section of the whole constitution, because without
HIS blessing it will mean
nothing. To water down our GOD ALMIGHTY (always capital letters in the Bible) I
in this fashion and not
to acknowledge that HE is CREATOR OF ALL constitutes
nothing less than the re-crucifixion of our LORD JESUS.
No consideration
should be given to other gods, religions, unbelievers etc. because our GOD
ALMIGHTY is not for sale or negotiable
and as HE has stated ‘You shall
have no other gods before me - you shall not worship them; for I, the LORD your
GOD, as a
jealous GOD’.
The adjustments made as compared to the old
preamble should be broadcasted (radio, television, news media, etc.) and
provision should
be made for the public to voice their objections
thereto.
We are all going to meet our MAKER one day and I wonder what HE
is going to say to some of us.
Thank you for reading by objections. I
sincerely hope it is not going to die a sudden death, but will be taken into
consideration.
From an ordinary housewife.
Helene
Esterhuyse
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Helene Esterhuyse
SILVERTON
30 May
1996
CERTIFICATION OF NEW CONSTITUTIONAL TEXT
Thank you for
your submission of 25 May 1996.
I have been asked by the President of the
Constitutional Court to advise you as follows:
1. The Constitutional
Court is required in terms of section 71 of the Constitution to certify whether
or not the constitutional text
adopted by the Constitutional Assembly complies
with the 34 constitutional principles set out in Schedule 4 of the
Constitution.
2. The Constitutional Court cannot add to, amend or delete
any of the provisions of the constitutional text drafted by the Constitutional
Assembly.
3. The Court appreciates your sentiments about the difficulty
that many people, and in particularly those who are poor, experience
by having
to deal with the complicated process. However, rest assured that we do our best
to ensure that every person enjoys access
to the Court. This is provided for in
our Rules, and the Directions issued by the President of the Constitutional
Court, the latter
which excuse indigent persons from the obligation to lodge 25
copies.
4. Your submission is appreciated.
MS M
NIENABER
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