Section 9

Equality

Discrimination based on gender, sex, culture, religion, and language is presumed unfair unless proven otherwise. The burden is on the person who discrimina...

Free Chapter 2 — Bill of Rights Constitution of South Africa, 1996

What Section 9 Says

(1) Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. (2) Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken. (3) The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth. (4) No person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds in terms of subsection (3). National legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination. (5) Discrimination on one or more of the grounds listed in subsection (3) is unfair unless it is established that the discrimination is fair.

Plain-Language Explanation

Practical Significance
Discrimination based on gender, sex, culture, religion, and language is presumed unfair unless proven otherwise. The burden is on the person who discriminated to prove it was fair — not on you to prove it was unfair.

Practical Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

What grounds of discrimination are protected?
Race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, and birth. Discrimination on these grounds is presumed unfair — the burden is on the person who discriminated to prove it was fair.
Is affirmative action unconstitutional?
No. Section 9(2) explicitly permits measures designed to protect or advance persons or categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. The Employment Equity Act and other legislation giving effect to affirmative action are consistent with the Constitution.
Can I take someone to court for discriminating against me?
Yes. You can approach the Equality Court at any Magistrate's Court — free of charge, without an attorney. For workplace discrimination, you can also refer to the CCMA. The SAHRC can investigate and intervene.

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