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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