The FW de Klerk Foundation today released its CRL Rights Report Card for 2026, identifying significant developments affecting cultural, religious and linguistic rights while highlighting persistent implementation challenges across South Africa’s constitutional landscape.
After Nelson Mandela was elected in 1994 his government abolished racially segregated local authorities, creating ostensibly integrated municipalities. Today these range in size from Johannesburg, the commercial capital, to units like Mpofana that comprise a small town and rural areas. All are supposed to fund themselves through property taxes, business rates and charges for water, electricity and waste collection. The poorest also get a grant from the central government to fill any gap between revenue and expenditure.
In this article, the FW de Klerk Foundation argues that South Africa must confront abuse in religious communities without placing lawful belief under state supervision. Existing criminal, tax and nonprofit laws should be enforced properly, while faith communities strengthen voluntary safeguards and accountability. Protecting congregants must never make the exercise of religious freedom dependent on official approval.
In honour of Human Rights Day, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Constitutional Rights Programme team will present the Foundation’s annual Human Rights Report Card which examines the extent to which the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights were practically enjoyed by all South Africans over the past year.
The FW de Klerk Foundation, in celebration of Heritage Day, proudly launched its Cultural, Religious and Language Rights 2025 Report Card today.
The FW de Klerk Foundation is deeply concerned by reports that Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, misled Parliament regarding the appointment of politically connected individuals to chair the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities.
In honour of Human Rights Day, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Constitutional Rights Programme team launched the Foundation’s Human Rights Report Card 2024.
Ismail Joosub explores the President’s decision to reassign Thembi Simelane from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to the Department of Human Settlements.
As South Africa celebrates Heritage Month, we are reminded to come together and embrace our rich cultural diversity.
