30 Years On: Albie Sachs Shares Insights at Lithuania-Austria Hosted Constitution Anniversary Gathering
The Embassy of Lithuania to South Africa, in partnership with the Embassy of Austria, hosted a special event in Cape Town to mark 30 years of South Africa’s transformative Constitution. On February 12, dignitaries and guests gathered at the Museum of Contemporary Art for an insightful meeting with renowned former Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs.
Sachs, a key architect of the post-apartheid democratic framework, reflected on his journey—from anti-apartheid activism and exile to surviving an assassination attempt and helping draft the landmark 1996 Constitution. He emphasised its enduring role: “The Constitution was not merely a formal document — it became the foundation of the new South Africa,” Sachs said, highlighting how democratic elections empowered 20 million citizens to birth a representative state grounded in freedom, equality, and human rights.
The event coincided with the exhibition “A Turbulent Spring: The Art and Life of Albie Sachs,” exploring the intersection of law, freedom, and creativity. Lithuania’s recognition of Sachs—awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order for Merits to Lithuania in 2025—underscored growing diplomatic ties celebrating shared values of democracy and rule of law.
