This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.
Schedule 2 - Oaths and Solemn Affirmations
Oath or solemn affirmation of President and Acting President
1. The President or Acting President, before the President of the Constitutional Court, must swear/affirm as follows:
. In the presence of everyone assembled here, and in full realisation of the high calling I assume as President/Acting President of the Republic of South Africa, I, A.B., swear/solemnly affirm that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa, and will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution and all other law of the Republic; and I solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always
Ø. promote all that will advance the Republic, and oppose all that may harm it;
Ø. protect and promote the rights of all South Africans;
Ø. discharge my duties with all my strength and talents to the best of my knowledge and ability and true to the dictates of my conscience;
Ø. do justice to all; and
Ø. devote myself to the well-being of the Republic and all of its people.
(In the case of an oath: So help me God.)
Oath or solemn affirmation of Deputy President
2. The Deputy President, before the President of the Constitutional Court, must swear/affirm as follows:
. In the presence of everyone assembled here, and in full realisation of the high calling I assume as Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, I, A.B., swear/solemnly affirm that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution and all other law of the Republic; and I solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always
Ø. promote all that will advance the Republic, and oppose all that may harm it;
Ø. be a true and faithful counsellor;
Ø. discharge my duties with all my strength and talents to the best of my knowledge and ability and true to the dictates of my conscience;
Ø. do justice to all; and
Ø. devote myself to the well-being of the Republic and all of its people.
(In the case of an oath: So help me God.)
Oath or solemn affirmation of Ministers and Deputy Ministers
3. Each Minister and Deputy Minister, before the President of the Constitutional Court or another judge designated by the President of the Constitutional Court, must swear/affirm as follows:
I, A.B., swear/solemnly affirm that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other law of the Republic; and I undertake to hold my office as Minister/Deputy Minister with honour and dignity; to be a true and faithful counsellor; not to divulge directly or indirectly any secret matter entrusted to me; and to perform the functions of my office conscientiously and to the best of my ability.
(In the case of an oath: So help me God.)
Oath or solemn affirmation of members of the National Assembly, permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces and members of the provincial legislatures
4. (1) Members of the National Assembly, permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces and members of provincial legislatures, before the President of the Constitutional Court or a judge designated by the President of the Constitutional Court, must swear or affirm as follows:
I, A.B., swear/solemnly affirm that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other law of the Republic, and I solemnly promise to perform my functions as a member of the National Assembly/ permanent delegate to the National Council of Provinces/member of the legislature of the province of C.D. to the best of my ability.
(In the case of an oath: So help me God.)
(2) Persons filling a vacancy in the National Assembly, a permanent delegation to the National Council of Provinces or a provincial legislature may swear or affirm in terms of subitem (1) before the presiding officer of the Assembly, Council or legislature, as the case may be.
Oath or solemn affirmation of Premiers, Acting Premiers and members of provincial Executive Councils
5. The Premier or Acting Premier of a province, and each member of the Executive Council of a province, before the President of the Constitutional Court or a judge designated by the President of the Constitutional Court, must swear/affirm as follows:
I, A.B., swear/solemnly affirm that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other law of the Republic; and I undertake to hold my office as Premier/Acting Premier/member of the Executive Council of the province of C.D. with honour and dignity; to be a true and faithful counsellor; not to divulge directly or indirectly any secret matter entrusted to me; and to perform the functions of my office conscientiously and to the best of my ability.
(In the case of an oath: So help me God.)
Oath or solemn affirmation of Judicial Officers
6. (1) Each judge or acting judge, before the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeal or another judge designated by the Chief Justice, must swear or affirm as follows:
I, A.B., swear/solemnly affirm that, as a Judge of the Constitutional Court/Supreme Court of Appeal/High Court/ E.F. Court, I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa, will uphold and protect the Constitution and the human rights entrenched in it, and will administer justice to all persons alike without fear, favour or prejudice, in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
(In the case of an oath: So help me God.)
(2) A person appointed to the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeal who is not already a judge at the time of that appointment must swear or affirm before the President of the Constitutional Court.
(3) Judicial officers, and acting judicial officers, other than judges, must swear/affirm in terms of national legislation.