The Constitutional Court of South Africa
Constitution Hill in Johannesburg has been the seat of South Africa’s Constitutional Court since February 2004. It was the first major post-apartheid government structure to be built and was designed to embody the openness and transparency called for by the Constitution itself.
How does the structure of the highest court of the land accurately reflect the transparency of the laws of the land? A competition held in 1997 for the new building design asked that all entries present an architectural vision that incorporated South Africa’s landscape, physically and culturally, without overemphasising the symbols of any section of the population.
Entries called for the design for a new court chamber, public areas, a library, public reading space and rooms for 11 judges plus researchers and administrative staff.
According to the Constitutional Court’s website, some 580 applications were received, which produced 185 formal entries (including 40 from foreign countries).
In the end, an international panel of judges led by Charles Correa, the distinguished Indian architect, chose a South African entry that was based on the concept of “justice under a tree”. The winning design incorporated a series of pavilions linked by pathways and public plazas.
At a ceremony to announce the winning entry, former president Nelson Mandela was quoted by the Constitutional Court as saying: “The Constitutional Court building will stand as a beacon of light, a symbol of hope and celebration. Transforming a notorious icon of repression into its opposite, it will ease the memories of suffering inflicted in the dark corners, cells and corridors of the Old Fort Prison. Rising from the ashes of that ghastly era, it will shine forth as a pledge for all time that South Africa will never return to that abyss. It will stand as an affirmation that South Africa is indeed a better place for all.”
The building itself is a welcoming construction that infuses the court with an African feel. The building materials, including timber, concrete, steel, glass and black slate, give the structure an open and honest feel.
The exquisite timber entrance door, a 9m-high work of art, “features plaques carved with words and sign-language symbols conveying the 27 rights enshrined in the Constitution”. It opens to the foyer, which is lined with columns, a metaphor for the trees under which villagers would traditionally resolve their disputes. The slatted roof lets light in – keeping with the theme of dappled sunlight.
The court chamber is more formal in appearance. The 11 judges’ seats are demarcated by black and white hides of Nguni cattle, while a large beaded South African flag adorns the back wall. The low-lying glass ribbon that circles the room is designed to both let in light and emphasise the transparency of the court proceedings.
The current judges, headed by a chief justice and deputy chief justice, uphold the law and the Constitution, which they must apply impartially and without fear, favour or prejudice.
The bench currently comprises:
• Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng
• Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke
• Justice Bess Nkabinde
• Justice Chris Jafta
• Justice Edwin Cameron
• Justice Johan Froneman
• Justice Johann van der Westhuizen
• Justice Sisi Khampepe
• Justice Thembile Skweyiya
• Justice Zak Yacoob
The court’s collection of artwork consists of about 200 pieces in a range of media. It took former Justice Albie Sachs nearly 10 years to gather the pieces, but he is fond of saying the collection assembled itself.
Visiting hours
Everyone is invited to view the artwork, watch the judges at work in Court or simply soak up the atmosphere surrounding one of the world’s most progressive constitutions.
Exhibition and tours
Groups of 10 or more: R20
Smaller groups or individuals: R22
Specialised individual tours: R40
Night Tours: R75
School groups including education material R15
Pensioners R15
Opening times
Mondays to Friday 08h30 to 17h00
Saturday’s operation: 10h00 to 15h00
Sundays: Closed
Directions
From Pretoria or Johannesburg north
Travel along the M1 South towards the Johannesburg central business district. Take the Jan Smuts Avenue off-ramp; soon afterwards you will come to traffic lights at the intersection of Jan Smuts Avenue and Empire Road. Keep left and take the slipway into Empire Road. Proceed along Empire Road towards the second set of traffic lights at the Queen Street extension. Turn right into Queen Street. Proceed towards the next set of traffic lights at the intersection of Queen and Sam Hancock streets. Turn Right into the Constitution Hill visitors’ parking area.
From Soweto or Johannesburg south
Go along the M1 North, on the west side of the Johannesburg central business district. Take the Empire Road off-ramp and turn right into Empire Road. Proceed along Empire Road and through the traffic lights at the intersection of Jan Smuts and Empire Road. Proceed along Empire Road towards the second set of traffic lights at the Queen Street extension. Turn right into the Queen Street extension and proceed up the hill towards Constitution Hill. Proceed towards the next set of traffic lights at the intersection of Queen and Sam Hancock streets. Turn Right into the Constitution Hill visitors’ parking area.