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
PUBLIC LAND IS A CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT, NOT A BALANCE-SHEET ENTRY
The Constitutional Court’s Tafelberg judgment confirms that well-located public land cannot be treated merely as a commercial asset when it can help reverse apartheid’s spatial legacy. Where affordable housing is built matters, because access to employment, transport, education and essential services forms part of meaningful access to adequate housing. Municipalities and provinces must therefore manage and dispose of public land transparently, with genuine public participation and proper regard for its constitutional value.
LESSONS FROM THE 2026 GTAC CONFERENCE
The 2026 GTAC Public Economics Conference highlighted a central truth: South Africa’s employment crisis cannot be solved by training people for jobs that do not exist. Sustainable progress requires evidence-based policy, smarter public spending and greater support for the informal, township and rural economies where millions already earn their livelihoods. Ultimately, the Constitution demands a state that protects dignity, removes barriers to opportunity and measures success by real outcomes rather than the number of programmes funded.
SUBMISSIONS
SUBMISSION DRAFT GENERAL PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS, 2026
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on Draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026
SUBMISSION ON DRAFT TOWNSHIP & RURAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALISATION POLICY
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on Draft Township & Rural Economy Development & Revitalisation Policy
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
SUBMISSION DRAFT GENERAL PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS, 2026
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on Draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026
SUBMISSION ON DRAFT TOWNSHIP & RURAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALISATION POLICY
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on Draft Township & Rural Economy Development & Revitalisation Policy
Categories
- Language Rights
- The Right to Mother-tongue Education
- Cultural Rights
- Religious Rights
- Race Relations