Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (PDF)
The supreme law of South Africa, as published by Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Published in English.
At a glance
- Adopted
- 1996
- Last amended
- 2023
- Languages
- English
- Chapters
- 14
- Articles
- 243
- Presidential term
- 5 years (tied to the National Assembly) · Art. s. 88(1)
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The President’s term of office begins on assuming office and ends upon a vacancy occurring or when the person next elected President assumes office.
- Presidential term limit
- Two terms · Art. s. 88(2)
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No person may hold office as President for more than two terms,
- Amendment procedure
- Two-thirds of the National Assembly (75% for section 1) · Art. s. 74
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may be amended by a Bill passed— (a) by the National Assembly, with a supporting vote of at least two thirds of its members;
- Head of state
- President (Head of State and head of the national executive) · Art. s. 83(a)
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(a) is the Head of State and head of the national executive;
- Prime minister
- No prime minister · Art. s. 83(a)
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(a) is the Head of State and head of the national executive;
Department of Justice consolidated English text 'as amended by' acts up to the Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Act of 2012; adopted 8 May 1996, amended 11 October 1996, commencement 4 February 1997. This PDF does not list the Eighteenth Amendment (2023).
Constitution of South Africa: common questions
When was the constitution of South Africa adopted?
The current constitution of South Africa dates from 1996. It was last amended in 2023.
Where can I download the constitution of South Africa?
The PDF is published on the site of Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The button on this page opens it there.
How long is a presidential term in South Africa?
5 years (tied to the National Assembly) (Article s. 88(1)).
How is the constitution of South Africa amended?
Two-thirds of the National Assembly (75% for section 1) (Article s. 74).
The button opens the official file on the publisher's own site. We do not host a copy.
Source: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.