The ANC has pulled out of a public debate on the protection and defence of the constitution as it did not see the value of discussing subjects which did not pose "key institutional, policy and political challenges".

The debate, hosted by the Helen Suzman Foundation, was attended by representatives of Cope, the DA, ID, UDM and academics.

Notifying the foundation of the ANC's decision not to participate, spokeswoman Jessie Duarte wrote that if one looked "beyond the rhetoric, objectively" there was no threat to the country's constitutional order or to the rule of law.

"Certainly, we should all stand ready to protect and defend our constitution.
"But to suggest, as this debate would, that the constitution is somehow imperilled is to misdirect our attention and our energies," Duarte wrote in a letter to the foundation on Tuesday.

"The more relevant question as regards the constitution is whether we have made sufficient progress towards realising the socio-economic rights contained in chapter two of the constitution.
"What progress have we made since 1996 in realising the right of all South Africans to housing, health care, food, water, social security and education?
"That, we would submit, is the debate we should be having."