constitutional court

South Africa's ground-breaking Bill of Rights is widely regarded as one of the most progressive in the world. All South Africans should know their rights, and respect the rights of fellow citizens. Read the full text of the Bill of Rights.

In a country as diverse as South Africa, it is natural for there to be differing views and vigorous contestation, writes Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe. So it would be a mistake to assume the fracas in parliament during the State of the Nation Address on 12 February meant our democracy was on the edge of an abyss.

In a country as diverse as South Africa, it is natural for there to be differing views and vigorous contestation, writes Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe. So it would be a mistake to assume the fracas in parliament during the State of the Nation Address on 12 February meant our democracy was on the edge of an abyss.

Justice Sachs has been recognised for his lifetime devotion to justice and the rule of law as well as his contribution to human rights around the world, by the Tang Prize Foundation. It said his views, of integration while preserving diversity, offered significant inspiration for other societies.

Sitting astride a ridge on the northern edge of Joburg's inner city, Constitution Hill is a symbol of how far South Africa has come. Once a notorious prison filled with anti-apartheid activists, it is now the seat of the highest court in the land, where freedom, democracy and justice are defended.

At the start of the Oscar Pistorius trial, celebrity US lawyer Alan Dershowitz suggested on CNN that Pistorius would not get justice as South Africa was a "failed state", and the trial "racial". Simon Barber, Brand South Africa's country manager for the US, wrote this open letter to Dershowitz in response.

One of the triumphs of 20 years of democracy is that ordinary South Africans - of all races, irrespective of wealth, class or social standing - can now stand before an independent and transformed judiciary, writes former Constitutional Court judge Yvonne Mokgoro.

What happens if Oscar Pistorius is found guilty of premeditated murder? What is the maximum sentence he can expect to receive? Here are answers to these questions and more.