The FW de Klerk Foundation has written a letter to the Minister of Health proposing that Government should build an appropriate national monument to commemorate the lives of the four million South Africans who have so far died of HIV/AIDS. By any measure, HIV/AIDS is the most serious human catastrophe that has ever afflicted the people of South Africa.  We need a suitable monument, not only to commemorate the lives of all those who have died of the disease – but also to remind us of the ongoing threat that HIV/AIDS poses to our society.

The Foundation issued the following statement in response to a request by “Die Burger” for comment on the current language debate at the University of Stellenbosch

The Council of the University of Stellenbosch has the responsibility of determining the university’s language policy.

In the Foundation’s view, the Council should, in doing so, bear in mind the requirement in section 29(2) of the Constitution in terms of which “everyone has a right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonable practicable.” 

Clearly it is practicable to do so at a university that has traditionally offered tuition in Afrikaans in a province in which Afrikaans is the principal language.

The Foundation has taken note, with shock and disappointment, of the letter and annexure of Prof Wim De Villiers to the Senate of the University of Stellenbosch.  The letter makes it clear that if the Rector’s proposals are approved by the University Council on 30 November, Afrikaans will no longer have an equal position with English at US.  So after having been assured only a few years ago that Afrikaans would be the default language, and after assurances only last year that the language would enjoy equal status with English, it now appears that Afrikaans is, for all practical purposes on its way out as a language of tuition. Under these circumstances, we must ask what confidence we can place on any assurances by the university administration?

We, the Nobel Peace Laureates and Peace Organisations, in the presence of youth from all over the world, gathered together in Barcelona from 12 – 15 November 2015, have considered issues affecting world peace – with special emphasis on the current refugee and migration crisis.

We are profoundly shocked and outraged by the barbaric killing of more than 150 innocent people in Paris on the evening of 13 November. We express our deepest sympathy and solidarity with the families of the victims and with the people of France.

Former President FW de Klerk and the staff of the FW de Klerk Foundation and its Centre for Constitutional Rights (CFCR) would like to extend their congratulations and best wishes to Archbishop Desmond Tutu as he celebrates his 84th birthday.

Twenty-one years after the establishment of our new constitutional democracy minorities have very little to celebrate on Heritage Day. The vision of a vibrant multi-cultural society with a mosaic of cultures and languages coexisting harmoniously in mutual toleration and respect has not been realised.

The Constitution makes full provision for such a society. It recognises our 11 national languages and accords them parity of esteem. It enjoins the state to develop our indigenous languages and requires government to be conducted in at least two languages at national and provincial level. It recognises the right of everyone to practise their cultures and use their languages. It accepts the right of everyone to education in the language or languages of their choice at public educational institutions.

Former President De Klerk’s views on peace – based on an extract from his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech delivered in Oslo on 10 December 1993.

“Peace does not simply mean the absence of conflict. Throughout history, there has been an absence of conflict in many repressive societies. This lack of conflict does not have its roots in harmony, goodwill or the consent of the parties involved – but often in fear, ignorance and powerlessness. There can thus be no real peace without justice, consultation or consent.

In a recent speech in Cape Town, FW de Klerk discussed the topic of why business should continue to invest in South Africa.

South Africa has not been doing well on the investment front. Since 2007, Australia has attracted more than eight times as much FDI as South Africa – and Chile, with a smaller economy, has received more than three times as much as us. This is despite the fact that South Africa has by far the greatest mineral resources in the world.

The FW de Klerk Foundation has called on the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to remove quotas based on national demographics for Coloured fishermen from its recently announced Draft Sector Specific Policies for the Allocation of Fishing Rights in a wide range of fisheries.