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  1. Constitutions
  2. South Africa
  3. Equality

🇿🇦 South AfricaConstitution

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996

Equality

Jurisdiction
South Africa
Provision
9
Source language
English
Recorded status
in force
More details
Recorded status
in force

Provision text

Official source
(1) Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. (2) Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken. (3) The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth. (4) No person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds in terms of subsection (3). National legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination. (5) Discrimination on one or more of the grounds listed in subsection (3) is unfair unless it is established that the discrimination is fair.

Source record

Source and verification

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 · justice.gov.za · Retrieved 17 August 2026.

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