The National Library of South Africa (NLSA), in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in South Africa, hosted a special commemoration of Ukraine’s Constitution Day on Tuesday, 9 July 2025, at the NLSA’s Pretoria Campus.

The event created a platform for dialogue and reflection on constitutionalism, democracy, and human rights in both Ukraine and South Africa. Central to the programme was a panel discussion on constitutional developments, which brought together leading academics and policymakers from both nations.

The distinguished panellists included:

• Prof Elvis Fokala – President of the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers, Full Prof, University of Pretoria
• Prof Kseniya Smyrnova – Vice-Dean, Doctor of Law, Kyiv Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
• Dr Mykyta Poturaev, Head of the Committee on Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, Parliament of Ukraine
• Dr Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Head of the Committee on the Freedom of Press, Parliament of Ukraine

In her welcoming remarks, Ms Nontlaza Nosisa Joyce Sizani, NLSA board member, reflected on the significance of the commemoration: “This gathering is particularly meaningful because it brings together two nations, South Africa and Ukraine, each with rich constitutional histories and ongoing efforts to safeguard democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We feel privileged and honoured as an institution to have been invited to partner and host this commemoration, and we are equally proud to have provided a forum where knowledge, heritage, and ideas converge”.

As part of the cultural exchange, the Embassy of Ukraine presented a curated exhibition under the themes “Ukrainians Who Changed the World” and “Cradle of Freedom: Ukrainian and South African Constitutions.” Complementing this, the NLSA showcased its exhibition celebrating South Africa’s constitutional democracy, highlighting the journey of the country’s democratic dispensation.

The commemoration not only strengthened cultural and academic ties between South Africa and Ukraine but also underscored the role of libraries and cultural institutions in preserving and sharing the values of freedom, dignity, and justice.