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
COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
MAY THE CAPE TOWN METROPOLITAN POLICE INVESTIGATE CRIME?
The ongoing crime crisis in South Africa, and particularly in Cape Town, has led to a constructive debate about the role and powers of municipal police services. While the South African Police Service (SAPS) is increasingly struggling to combat organized crime and violence effectively, the City of Cape Town has taken steps to establish its own investigative capacity.
INTRODUCING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD 2026
The Local Government Report Card 2026 provides an independent assessment of 50 municipalities across all nine provinces, measuring performance against five pillars of constitutional local government. The findings reveal a sharply uneven picture, with strong institutional leadership and sound financial management consistently linked to better service delivery and public accountability. By presenting clear evidence of what works, what fails and where improvement is possible, the Report Card equips residents, councillors and policymakers to demand practical, measurable change.
SUBMISSIONS
SUBMISSION URGENT REQUEST FOR CONFIRMATION OF PARLIAMENT’S TIMELINES, ROADMAP AND INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES FOR ERCP REPORT
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s urgent request for confirmation of Parliament’s timelines, roadmap and institutional priorities for ERCP Report
SUBMISSION DRAFT ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT COUNTERING DISINFORMATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on draft Electoral Code of Conduct countering Disinformation in Local Government Elections.
SPEECHES
2025 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT CARD LAUNCH
In honour of Human Rights Day, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Constitutional Rights Programme team will present the Foundation’s annual Human Rights Report Card which examines the extent to which the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights were practically enjoyed by all South Africans over the past year.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION LAUNCHES 2025 REPORT CARD ON CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND LANGUAGE RIGHTS
The FW de Klerk Foundation, in celebration of Heritage Day, proudly launched its Cultural, Religious and Language Rights 2025 Report Card today.
EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
MAY THE CAPE TOWN METROPOLITAN POLICE INVESTIGATE CRIME?
The ongoing crime crisis in South Africa, and particularly in Cape Town, has led to a constructive debate about the role and powers of municipal police services. While the South African Police Service (SAPS) is increasingly struggling to combat organized crime and violence effectively, the City of Cape Town has taken steps to establish its own investigative capacity.
INTRODUCING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD 2026
The Local Government Report Card 2026 provides an independent assessment of 50 municipalities across all nine provinces, measuring performance against five pillars of constitutional local government. The findings reveal a sharply uneven picture, with strong institutional leadership and sound financial management consistently linked to better service delivery and public accountability. By presenting clear evidence of what works, what fails and where improvement is possible, the Report Card equips residents, councillors and policymakers to demand practical, measurable change.
Categories
- Language Rights
- The Right to Mother-tongue Education
- Cultural Rights
- Religious Rights
- Race Relations