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Mandela signs new South African constitution
December 10, 1996
Web posted at: 12:15 p.m. EST (1715 GMT)SHARPEVILLE, South Africa (CNN) -- South African President Nelson Mandela traveled to Sharpeville township, the site of a massacre that galvanized the anti-apartheid movement in 1960, and signed into law a constitution that guarantees equal rights to all people, regardless of race.
The 150-page constitution, one of the most liberal in the world, is based on an interim document that went into effect after South Africa's first all-race elections in 1994.
South African police killed 69 black protesters in Sharpeville in 1960. Mandela signed the document Tuesday, International Human Rights day.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Court certifies new South African constitution - December 4, 1996
- New South African constitution rejected - September 6, 1996
Related sites:
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- South African Constitutional Assembly
- Summary of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Decision (September 6, 1996)
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