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ARTICLE: IMPRESSIONS OF THE (FIRST) DIALOGUE ON PROPERTY, LAND REFORM AND SECTION 25

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The National Forum for Dialogue on Land Reform, held at the at the end of March in Johannesburg, was the first of many public dialogues on the land question, more specifically whether section 25 of the Constitution should be amended to enable expropriation without compensation (EWC). The Dialogue was organised – at the request of the (ANC members of the) Constitutional Review Committee – by the Gordon Institute for Business Science (GIBS), Roelf Meyer’s In Transformation Initiative and the Nelson Mandela University. Most organisations and individuals were invited at very short notice: in the case of the FW de Klerk Foundation, the invite came less than a week before the Dialogue took place. The agenda boasted a notable slate of speakers on the most topical issue confronting South Africa. Despite initial concerns about who was invited and who not, the Foundation  –  whose theme for 2017/18 is Land and Property – took the opportunity attend the two-day meeting. Ivor Jenkins, one of the organisers, confirmed that the event was organised in a very short space of time, and that some organisations had erroneously not been invited in time, but in the end those who really wanted to attend, could do so. 

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STATEMENT: WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA

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I remember Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as a fearless person, with a strong personality, who never hesitated to speak the truth as she saw it. For that I have admiration. There is also the dark side of her reputation and history, which one does not delve into at a time such as this. 

I remember from my personal experience, a common humanity. She for example, attended the funeral of the late Marike, my first wife. My wife Elita and I also went to visit Winnie after her great-grandchild died in the car accident, and she welcomed us so warmly. There was a humanity to her that deserves great appreciation.  

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STATEMENT ON WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA

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The FW de Klerk Foundation was shocked to hear the news of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s death. She was one of the dominant figures over the last 20 or 30 years in South Africa and was regarded by the ANC as the Mother of the Nation. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was larger than life. She was always outspoken, sometimes controversial and will be much missed by her followers and by her friends.

The FW de Klerk Foundation would like to convey their condolences to her family and friends. 

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SPEECH: THE ACCOMMODATION OF CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY: A CORE CHALLENGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY FOR SOUTH AFRICA, FOR EUROPE AND FOR THE WORLD

Everywhere people are on the move.

One of the inescapable implications of globalisation is an enormous increase in the interaction between people from different backgrounds, cultures, languages and religions.   The management of the resulting cultural, language and religious diversity will be one of this century’s greatest challenges.

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ARTICLE: THE ACCOMMODATION OF CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY: A CORE CHALLENGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY FOR SOUTH AFRICA, FOR EUROPE AND FOR THE WORLD

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In a speech on 24 March in Cernobbio, Italy, FW de Klerk said that during the past 24 years South Africa had unfortunately been moving further and further away from the ideal of cultural, religious and language diversity. He called on the international community to do much more to define and protect the rights of cultural, ethnic and religious minorities throughout the world.

De Klerk was addressing the International Forum on Market Leaders and Scenarios for the 21st Century on “The Accommodation of Cultural, Religious and Ethnic Diversity: A Core Challenge for the South Africa, for Europe and for the World.”

He said that South Africa had plenty of experience in managing – and mismanaging – diversity. 

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STATEMENT: STATEMENT ON NPA REINSTATING CHARGES AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT ZUMA

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The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes today’s announcement by the current (albeit it embattled) head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Adv Shaun Abrahams, to reinstate the charges of corruption, money laundering, racketeering and fraud against former President Jacob Zuma. This brings to an end a decade of litigation over the initial NPA decision in 2009 to withdraw the charges levelled against former President Zuma. Given the uninspiring record of the NPA in the prosecution of politically-connected individuals, there is perhaps need for cautious optimism. Nevertheless, with the overwhelming public interest and the presence of a vociferous and robust civil society and the possibility of private prosecution, it is hoped that the NPA will be true to its constitutional mandate of prosecuting without fear, favour or prejudice.

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STATEMENT: TOWARDS A POSITION ON THE EXPROPRIATION OF PROPERTY (INCLUDING LAND) WITHOUT COMPENSATION

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Introduction
The FW de Klerk Foundation (FWDKF) was established to protect and promote the Constitution. This we do through the work of two Centres: the Centre for Constitutional Rights (CFCR) and the Centre for Unity in Diversity (CUD). For 2017 and 2018, the general theme of our work is Property Rights and Land Reform.

The choice of theme by the Foundation preceded the current debate on Expropriation Without Compensation (EWC), sparked by the resolution tabled in Parliament in February 2018. This is in fact testimony of the commitment of the Foundation to land reform and the institutionalisation of property rights for all South Africans.  Furthermore, we believe that the Constitution offers sufficient means and measures to effect land reform within the precepts of section 25 and we remain studiously committed to its implementation as it stands.   

As a Foundation with its two Centres, we offer this position on EWC as a contribution to the essential and ongoing debate in this regard. This position will be extended as the debate continues.

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ARTICLE: GIVE RAMAPHOSA GOVERNMENT A CHANCE, BUT …

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The new Ramaphosa Cabinet is one of promise and compromise. The Gordhans, Nenes and Hanekoms indicate that something new is possible on the economic front. The markets have also taken note, and the Rand is stronger than it was before Nene was fired. On the other hand, the Mabuzas, Dlaminis and Gigabas show that the struggle against state capture, corruption and poor governance and management is far from over.

After the recent vote on expropriation without compensation many South Africans feel discouraged and betrayed. Many thought the ANC-decision of December 2017 would never be implemented. Others were skeptical about Ramaphosa from the beginning – he, after all, inherited a divided and rotten ANC. The question is: should ordinary South Africans give the new government a chance?

My answer is: Yes, BUT …

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