30 September 2026

Our patron, former President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mr FW de Klerk, believed that even difficult differences could be addressed through discussion, mutual respect and a willingness to listen. Rather than allowing disagreements to be defined by public exchanges, we believe it is time to return to this approach: to engage directly, honestly and constructively, to understand one another’s perspectives and to seek a mutually acceptable way forward.

In doing so, our focus remains on the Foundation, its work and the legacy that we have a responsibility to preserve.

The FW de Klerk Foundation today announced that Christo van der Rheede will step down from his role as Executive Director, with his final day of service concluding on 30 September 2026.

During his leadership, Van der Rheede was instrumental in advancing the Foundation’s core mission of defending the South African constitutional order. His tenure was marked by the successful introduction of strategic, data-driven advocacy tools, notably the Cabinet Assessment Report and the Local Government Report Card, which have contributed significantly to strengthening institutional accountability and transparency.

Moving forward, Van der Rheede will shift his focus toward expanding his private business enterprises and community advancement initiatives. His wish is to dedicate and apply his more than forty years of experience and exposure in the educational, cultural, small business, agricultural and constitutional spheres to assist communities with sustainable socio-economic development and to mentor a new generation of civic leaders.

“Leading the FW de Klerk Foundation has been a profound privilege, and I am incredibly proud of the constitutional advocacy our team has delivered”, Van der Rheede stated. “As I transition into this next chapter, my focus will shift towards applying these decades of cross-sector experience to drive tangible economic empowerment, foster grassroots development and guide emerging leaders. I leave knowing the Foundation is well-positioned for continued impact.”

The Board of Directors has formally accepted his resignation and expressed its gratitude for his dedicated service, energy and leadership.

The Board of the FW de Klerk Foundation has taken note of recent comments and views on the work and focus of the Foundation by various role players, stakeholders and individuals. The Board confirms that the Foundation will remain focused on its mandate and will not serve as a platform or vehicle for alternative agendas or personal objectives unrelated to that mandate. The Board will not respond to such remarks and will continue with its work as planned within its mandate.

The Foundation remains sensitive to the ongoing debate about legacy, legitimacy, and constitutional memory in South Africa. Its mandate remains anchored in its founding documents, the Constitution, reconciliation, and the careful stewardship of a contested but consequential democratic legacy. The FW de Klerk Foundation is not a free-floating commentary platform. It is an institution of influence, advocacy, and constitutional reflection whose public posture must always be measured against the legacy of its founder and the constitutional settlement to which he made a structural contribution. Its stated objectives are not decorative phrases; they are the institutional compass by which its public interventions, governance choices and reputational conduct should be guided.

For futher enquires contact info@fwdeklerk.org