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
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PARLIAMENT’S CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND FASTER ACTION ON SCHOOL SANITATION
The FW de Klerk Foundation notes with concern Parliament’s Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries’ criticism about the Department of Basic Education’s communication on school sanitation. The Foundation shares Parliament’s concern that government must present an accurate picture of the challenges that remain. Parliament’s oversight visits to schools in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West found that many learners still use unsafe toilets and attend schools without reliable water. No child should face these conditions.
MODERN VOTING IS NOT ENOUGH IF MUNICIPALITIES REMAIN OPAQUE
South Africa is modernising the voting process through online registration, mobile tools and accessible election information. But after voters elect municipal councils, many still struggle to access clear, reliable information about service delivery, budgets, complaints and audit findings. This article argues that the 2026 local government elections must be about more than voting: Municipalities must open up, report back and account.
SUBMISSIONS
SUBMISSION ON REVIEWED DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on reviewed draft white paper on local government
SUBMISSION ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES INFRASTRUCTURE AGENCY SOC LIMITED AMENDMENT BILL
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Amendment Bill
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
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PARLIAMENT’S CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND FASTER ACTION ON SCHOOL SANITATION
The FW de Klerk Foundation notes with concern Parliament’s Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries’ criticism about the Department of Basic Education’s communication on school sanitation. The Foundation shares Parliament’s concern that government must present an accurate picture of the challenges that remain. Parliament’s oversight visits to schools in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West found that many learners still use unsafe toilets and attend schools without reliable water. No child should face these conditions.
MODERN VOTING IS NOT ENOUGH IF MUNICIPALITIES REMAIN OPAQUE
South Africa is modernising the voting process through online registration, mobile tools and accessible election information. But after voters elect municipal councils, many still struggle to access clear, reliable information about service delivery, budgets, complaints and audit findings. This article argues that the 2026 local government elections must be about more than voting: Municipalities must open up, report back and account.
Categories
- Language Rights
- The Right to Mother-tongue Education
- Cultural Rights
- Religious Rights
- Race Relations