The South African Economy Archives - FW de Klerk Foundation

FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION RELEASES THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD 2026

2026-08-04

The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Local Government Report Card 2026 provides an independent, non-partisan assessment of municipal performance and constitutional accountability across South Africa. Using 100 published tests across five key pillars, it evaluates 50 municipalities and highlights the institutional factors that drive success or failure in local government. The report offers evidence-based insights into the state of municipal governance and demonstrates that effective, constitutional local government is achievable.

CHRISTO VAN DER RHEEDE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT AT THE REMGRO FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

2026-08-04

Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director at the FW de Klerk Foundation was invited by the Remgro Foundation to speak at their annual leadership conference. His topic focused on education, the key to a better future.

BRIDGING PURPOSE AND EXECUTION: INSIGHTS FROM THE UFS BUSSINESS SCHOOL “BE WORTH MORE 2026″ORIENTATION

2026-07-27

The University of the Free State (UFS) Business School officially commenced its academic cycle with its flagship virtual student engagement and orientation experience, “Be Worth More 2026”. Gathering nearly 80 postgraduate students—including ambitious professionals embarking on their MBA, PGDip, and BML studies via Microsoft Teams, the programme set a transformative tone centred on fostering a deep sense of belonging, active participation, and long-term societal impact.

PUBLIC LAND IS A CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT, NOT A BALANCE-SHEET ENTRY

2026-07-15

The Constitutional Court’s Tafelberg judgment confirms that well-located public land cannot be treated merely as a commercial asset when it can help reverse apartheid’s spatial legacy. Where affordable housing is built matters, because access to employment, transport, education and essential services forms part of meaningful access to adequate housing. Municipalities and provinces must therefore manage and dispose of public land transparently, with genuine public participation and proper regard for its constitutional value.

LESSONS FROM THE 2026 GTAC CONFERENCE

2026-07-14

The 2026 GTAC Public Economics Conference highlighted a central truth: South Africa’s employment crisis cannot be solved by training people for jobs that do not exist. Sustainable progress requires evidence-based policy, smarter public spending and greater support for the informal, township and rural economies where millions already earn their livelihoods. Ultimately, the Constitution demands a state that protects dignity, removes barriers to opportunity and measures success by real outcomes rather than the number of programmes funded.

XENOPHOBIA IS NOW A TRADE POLICY PROBLEM, NOT JUST A LAW-AND-ORDER ONE

2026-07-02

Xenophobic violence is no longer only a domestic law-and-order concern; it is placing South Africa’s regional trade relationships, diplomatic credibility and continental standing at risk. With billions of dollars in trade flowing between South Africa and its neighbours, even limited disruption caused by consumer backlash, logistical delays and declining trust could carry serious economic consequences. South Africa must therefore combine lawful migration enforcement with decisive prosecutions, diplomatic engagement and firm protection of constitutional order.

THE STATE CANNOT FIX MUNICIPALITIES WHILE REFUSING TO PAY THEM

2026-06-29

Provincial departments owed municipalities R14,9 billion by December 2025, placing further pressure on already fragile local government finances. This persistent non-payment undermines service delivery, violates the principles of cooperative government and forces municipalities to finance provincial operations through unpaid accounts. National Treasury should enforce accountability and establish a targeted mechanism to deduct verified municipal debts from provincial allocations.

AUDITOR-GENERAL TSAKANI MALULEKE TABLED THE CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUDIT OUTCOMES 2024-25 ON 24 JUNE 2026

2026-06-25

Overall State: The 2024-25 Auditor-General report reveals that local government has failed to achieve a turnaround, resulting in unreliable services and failing infrastructure.

LETTER FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT ON FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION PARLIAMENTARY DISRUPTION RESEARCH

2026-06-08

The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the Presidency’s response to its research on the financial and constitutional cost of parliamentary disruptions. The Foundation’s analysis shows that disrupted sittings can cost taxpayers thousands of rand per minute while weakening Parliament’s duty to hold the Executive accountable. Following the Presidency’s encouragement, the Foundation will now engage Parliament directly on stronger accountability, consequence management and respect for South Africa’s constitutional institutions.

View Archived Content

FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION RELEASES THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD 2026

BRIDGING PURPOSE AND EXECUTION: INSIGHTS FROM THE UFS BUSSINESS SCHOOL “BE WORTH MORE 2026″ORIENTATION

PUBLIC LAND IS A CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT, NOT A BALANCE-SHEET ENTRY

LESSONS FROM THE 2026 GTAC CONFERENCE

XENOPHOBIA IS NOW A TRADE POLICY PROBLEM, NOT JUST A LAW-AND-ORDER ONE

THE STATE CANNOT FIX MUNICIPALITIES WHILE REFUSING TO PAY THEM

AUDITOR-GENERAL TSAKANI MALULEKE TABLED THE CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUDIT OUTCOMES 2024-25 ON 24 JUNE 2026

LETTER FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT ON FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION PARLIAMENTARY DISRUPTION RESEARCH

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