The Republic of South Africa Constitution Act, 1983 was South Africa's third constitution. It replaced the republican constitution that had been adopted when South Africa became a republic in 1961 and was in force for ten years before it was superseded by the Interim Constitution on 27 April 1994, which in turn led to the current Constitution of South Africa, which has been in force since 1997.

Part One of this book provides a detailed account of development of the South African constitution, especially between 1985 and 1996. Part Two is a collection of key documents from South Africa's constitutional history since 1902.