More Constitution Hill Pictures

As Constitution Hill was such an emotional place for me to visit, I was unable to reduce my photos to a single post, so once again I will do a series.  Here is the next instalment, which is specifically the modern Constitutional Court.

The Constitutional Court taken from the ramparts of the Fort.  The two old brick staircases (one in the centre of the building with the extension above it, and one to the right of the building) from the apartheid era court and detention cells have been incorporated into the building as a reminder of the past. 

The massively tall front doors of the Constitutional Court with the 27 principles of the modern RSA Constitution carved into them in all 11 official languages (including Afrikaans and English), and sign language.



The RSA symbol of justice, representing a the 'tree of justice' where traditionally the chiefs met to dispense justice based on the ancient lore and their wisdom.



The forecourt of the Court.  Everything incorporated into the design is symbolic in some way to one of the 11 official cultures represented in the modern Republic of South Africa.

One of the previously mentioned staircases, which originally led from detention cells to the sentencing court during the apartheid era.  As you can see it is also still in use (the step ladder is not traditional or symbolic!).

The main Constitutional Court room.  In front sit the 11 judges, representing each culture in the RSA, with the bench being fronted by cow hide which was so important to both the African pastorilists and the European settlers of South Africa.  The mottled pattern on the floor represents the shade pattern underneath the 'tree of justice'. The bricks in the wall behind the judges are from the apartheid era prison and court tying the past with the future.  The long glass windows in this brick wall represent the transparency of the court, allowing the public to see in, and reminding those inside that they serve the people.

The RSA flag behind the judges bench.  It is made from traditional African Beadwork, and is the largest beaded artwork ever made.  Up close the beads also have patterns and the principles of the constitution worked into them.