Ronald Lamola: The constitution is supposed to guarantee equality before the law 10 December 2020 9:40 AM Share This: Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola reflects on the signing of the constitution and its importance. Today marks International Human Rights Day. The day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 as the first critical global instrument for the universal protection of fundamental human rights. The 10th of December also marks South Africa's constitutional democratic order. The first democratically elected President of South Africa Nelson Mandela signed into law the constitution of the Republic of South Africa in Sharpeville in 1996.