The FW de Klerk Foundation

The FW de Klerk Foundation was established on 6 June 1999 as a registered not-for-profit organisation in South Africa. It has the following vision, mission and activities.
Our Vision
- the South African Constitution;
- national unity, reconciliation and the accommodation of diversity; and
- the legacy of President FW de Klerk and the South African constitutional transformation process.”
Our Mission
- support and promote the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the rule of law;
- work for national unity, non-racialism, reconciliation and the accommodation of cultural and linguistic diversity;
- promote and preserve FW de Klerk’s legacy and the legacy of South Africa’s constitutional transformation; and to
- support charities that care for children with disabilities and disadvantages.

Our Activities

Support our constitution
The Foundation
- promotes the values, rights and principles in the Constitution;
- monitors developments that might affect the Constitution;
- participates in the national debate on constitutional issues through the dissemination of articles, speeches and podcasts and the holding of conferences, roundtables and workshops;
- makes submissions to Parliament and Chapter 9 bodies;
- makes judicious use of litigation in defending constitutional rights in the courts;
- works with other NGOs in defence of the Constitution; and
- is able to make use of its consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in promoting human rights.
The Foundation works for unity in diversity, reconciliation and dialogue by
- monitoring developments that might affect inter-community relations;
- opposing discrimination from any quarter;
- supporting cultural, religious and linguistic rights and by working for national unity;
- participating in the national debate on inter-community relations and the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities through the dissemination of articles, speeches and podcasts and the holding of conferences, roundtables and workshops;
- presenting the annual FW de Klerk Goodwill Award to a South African citizen or organisation that has promoted goodwill;
- working for reconciliation between South Africans divided by our past; and by
- promoting dialogue between South Africans – inter alia through its membership of the National Foundations Dialogue Initiative that also includes the foundations of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, former President Thabo Mbeki, Helen Suzman, Desmond and Leah Tutu, Umlambo, Chief Albert Luthuli, former President Kgalema Motlanthe, and Jakes Gerwel.
The Foundation promotes the legacy of the late FW de Klerk through
- its project to establish the Centre for Constitutional Transformation of SA which will include a multimedia exhibition and a dedicated website;
- its project to establish the FW de Klerk Archive and Library;
- the institution of an annual FW de Klerk Memorial Lecture on 11 November every year;
- commemoration of FW de Klerk’s status as a Nobel Peace Laureate; and
- commemoration of his role in abolishing SA’s nuclear weapons;
The Foundation has, for almost 15 years, assisted organisations that care for disadvantaged and disabled children. It has raised almost R5 million, primarily overseas, for this purpose which it has channeled to the following exceptional organisations: the Cape Town Society for the Blind; Iris House Children’s Hospice; The National Institute for the Deaf; Salesian Life Choices; Studietrust; Alta du Toit School; and Woodside Special Care Centre.
Our Team

The Board of Trustees meets at least twice a year to discuss matters of policy, adopt procedures and take administrative steps as they see fit. We also have a team of interns each year that fall under the Foundation Internship Programme assisting us to achieve our goals.
Be part of the change
Different ways to get involved

Become a Supporter
All South Africans must support the Constitution. South Africa’s future freedom, political stability and economic prosperity depend…
Become an intern
Each year the FW de Klerk Foundation hosts interns from South Africa and abroad. The Foundation has a long-standing relationship…
Jobs/careers
Find out about available Job opportunities at the FW de Klerk Foundation and partner organisations.
Stay informed
We’re committed to providing regular communications on topical issues and participating in the national debates
Stay in Touch with Us
Contact Information

Head Office
- 129 Hatfield Street, Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa
- +27 (0) 21 930 36 22
- info@fwdeklerk.org