South Africa Adopts Permanent Constitution - May 1996

The Constitutional Assembly in South Africa, May 8, approved a new constitution to replace the 1993 interim constitution. Under the interim charter, which ended the era of racial separation, or apartheid, the leading black and white parties had joined in a coalition government. The new constitution's bill of rights banned discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, marital status, pregnancy, and sexual orientation. All citizens were guaranteed freed of speech. movement, and political activity, as well as adequate housing, food, health care, and education. Deputy Pres. F.W. de Klerk, who had led the last white government, announced, May 9, that his National Party, while supporting the new constitution, would pull out of the ruling coalition and go into opposition.