Support the work of the FW de Klerk Foundation
For more information regarding donations contact info@fwdeklerk.org or scan the QR code below
LETTER FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT ON FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION PARLIAMENTARY DISRUPTION RESEARCH
Issued by Ismail Joosub on behalf of the FW de Klerk Foundation on 03/06/2026
The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the response received from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsellor to the President following our submission of research on the financial and constitutional cost of parliamentary disruptions.
Our analysis highlighted how disruptions in the National Assembly can impose significant costs on taxpayers while simultaneously undermining Parliament’s core constitutional function of holding the Executive accountable. The research estimated that a disrupted National Assembly sitting may cost taxpayers approximately R12 464,73 per minute, while a disrupted joint sitting may cost approximately R15 824,27 per minute. More importantly, every lost minute of oversight represents a lost opportunity for democratic accountability.
In its response, the Presidency acknowledged the importance of the research, agreed that disruptions carry serious financial and reputational consequences, and encouraged the Foundation to engage Parliament directly with recommendations on strengthening consequence management and deterrence measures. Significantly, the Presidency also confirmed that the Foundation’s submission would be brought to the attention of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Foundation will now act on the recommendations contained in the correspondence by engaging the Speaker of Parliament and the Leader of Government Business in pursuit of stronger accountability, effective oversight and respect for South Africa’s constitutional institutions.
Read the Presidency’s response here.
A GUIDE ON WHO DOES WHAT IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
A guide for citizens on who does what in local government
THE CCTSA WINS CULTURAL AWARD
The Centre for the Constitutional Transformation of South Africa (CCTSA) is delighted to announce that it was named winner of the Heritage, Memory and Identity category at this year’s Western Cape Cultural Affairs Awards, held in Cape Town on 9 September 2026. The CCTSA is dedicated to telling the story of South Africa’s constitutional journey. The awards, hosted annually by the Western Cape Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, recognise individuals and organisations that make a meaningful contribution to the cultural, linguistic and heritage life of the province.
STATE CAPTURE IS HOLDING BACK SOUTH AFRICA
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.