Die grondwetlike beskerming van sosio-ekonomiese regte in Suid-Afrika : 'n teologies-etiese perspektief

Abstract

On legal-philosophical grounds the constitutional protection of socio-economic rights has been the subject of much debate. The question is whether socio-economical rights should be protected by a constitution and, if so, to what extent. In this study a theological-ethical evaluation is done about socio-economical rights and the protection thereof. This is done by examining certain Biblical themes and parts of Scripture of the Old and New Testament. From this investigation it is clear that socioeconomical rights are very important human rights that must be protected as effectively as possible. Several points of view on the constitutional protection of socio-economical rights are investigated and evaluated. These points of view are based on legal-philosophical grounds and argue respectively against the constitutional protection of socioeconomical rights, the protection of socio-economical rights as directive principles and the protection of socio-economical rights as fundamental rights. From this investigation it is clear that in principle the constitutional protection of socioeconomical rights as fundamental rights is the most effective way to protect these rights. The current state of affairs with regard to socio-economical rights in the Constitution of South-Africa is also investigated and evaluated. From this investigation it is clear that the Constitution does protect certain socio-economic rights, but not all of them. The rights to labour, clothing and scientific progress do not occur in the Constitution. In principle the right to labour is a very important socio-economic right and it leads to the realization of other socio-economic rights. The Constitution of South Africa also has several measures in place to ensure the protection of socio-economic rights. In spite of these measures, the socio-economic rights in the Constitution remain little more than rights on paper. There state, private sector, church and each individual will still have to do a lot to ensure the protection of socio-economic rights in South-Africa.