CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND LANGUAGE DIVERSITY

The Foundation supports all the rights and freedoms in the Constitution that protect the complex cultural, religious and linguistic diversity of South Africa’s multicultural, multi-religious and multilingual society.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS THAT PROTECT DIVERSITY
  • Section 6 (1) – Official languages
  • Section 6(2) – Development of indigenous languages
  • Section 6(3)(a) – Use of official languages by municipalities
  • Section 6 (3)(b) – Use of official languages by national and provincial governments
  • Section 6 (4) – Regulation official languages and parity of esteem
  • Section 6 (5) – The Pan-South African Language Board
  • Section 15 – Freedom of religion, belief and opinion
  • Section 29 (2) – Education in the official language of choice
  • Section 29 (3) – The right to establish independent educational institutions
  • Section 30 – The right to use the language and participate in the culture of choice
  • Section 31 – The rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities
  • Section 185 – Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities
  • Section 235 – Self-determination

MONITORING CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND LANGUAGE RIGHTS

The Foundation monitors compliance with cultural, religious and language rights by means of its
Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Report Card. 

It participates in the national debate on culture, religion and language by writing articles and submissions to Parliament,
by making speeches on these topics and by hosting conferences and seminars.

2022 CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND LINGUISTIC RIGHTS REPORT CARD

2023 CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND LINGUISTIC RIGHTS REPORT CARD

2024 CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND LINGUISTIC RIGHTS REPORT CARD

2025 CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND LINGUISTIC RIGHTS REPORT CARD

COMMENTARY AND EVENTS

ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS

SUBMISSIONS

THE ROLE OF MUNICIPALITIES IN PROMOTING OUR HERITAGE

South Africa’s cultural and linguistic heritage depends on public spaces where communities can learn, gather and pass traditions from one generation to the next. Municipalities have an important role in maintaining the local facilities and public spaces that help make these constitutional rights meaningful in everyday life. As Heritage Month and the local government elections approach, communities should demand clear accountability for how these spaces are maintained, funded and protected.

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SPEECHES

THE ROLE OF MUNICIPALITIES IN PROMOTING OUR HERITAGE

South Africa’s cultural and linguistic heritage depends on public spaces where communities can learn, gather and pass traditions from one generation to the next. Municipalities have an important role in maintaining the local facilities and public spaces that help make these constitutional rights meaningful in everyday life. As Heritage Month and the local government elections approach, communities should demand clear accountability for how these spaces are maintained, funded and protected.

Read More »

EVENTS AND CONFERENCES