February 16, 2004
By Jonews Reporter
A NUMBER of exciting events, leading up to the official launch of Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, are due to take place over the next few weeks.
Constitutional Court judges and support staff recently moved into the new constitutional court building.
Constitution Hill, home of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, is a multi-million rand urban regeneration project funded by Gauteng's Blue IQ initiative, the City of Johannesburg, the Department of Justice and other philanthropic organisations and delivered by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).
On completion, this mixed-use development will offer a unique cultural, historical, educational, business and recreational space. It will be a place where visitors can experience the story of South Africa's transition to democracy, observe the process by which freedom is now protected and learn how South Africa is building the future on the past.
Here are some key upcoming events
24 February: first case to be heard by the Constitutional court at its new premises: just before the end of apartheid parliamentarians voted themselves huge pensions, a case brought before the High Court saw that decision by those parliamentarians nixed … however, it is now going to the Constitutional Court to see whether those pensions can be approved for parliamentarians past and present…
10 March: a tree planting by politicians, constitutional court judges and former political prisoners and pass 'offenders' symbolising the pledge made under apartheid 'the tree of liberty will be watered with our blood.' It is also the launch of the We the People Wall project, where people will put their thoughts about the constitution and democracy on copper plates to be displayed along long wall at the ramparts of the old Johannesburg Fort. The wall flanks one side of the Constitutional Court (members of the public will be able to do this too)
18 - 21 March: Official start of the International Constitutional Conference to be attended by international Chief Justices and local Jurists.
21 March: State President Thabo Mbeki formally inaugurates the Constitutional Court of South Africa with international guests and local dignitaries.
22 March: Constitution Hill precinct and the exhibitions at The Old Fort and Number Four Prison open to the public
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