CONSTITUTIONAL 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.
MUNICIPAL FAILURE IS NOT INEVITABLE AND THIS REPORT PROVES IT
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Local Government Report Card 2026 argues that municipal failure is not inevitable, but the result of identifiable institutional weaknesses that can be measured and addressed. Assessing 50 municipalities against 100 objective tests, the report highlights where local government is improving, where it is failing and what distinguishes high-performing municipalities from those in decline. It offers practical, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen constitutional governance, improve service delivery and make municipal recovery measurable.
PODCASTS
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: URBAN HOUSING RECOMMENDATIONS
14 July 2026 @ All Day. –
On this episode the focus is on a deeply structural issue that affects millions of South Africans: housing and urban reform with Daneila Ellerbeck, Lusanda Mahkuntsu and Mpone Komako and together they unpack the Foundation’s key recommendations – looking at how housing reform can help build a more inclusive and equitable society.
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: DISCUSSION ON YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS
7 July 2026 @ All Day. –
In the latest episode of the Constitution@Work, Daniela Ellerbeck, Lusanda Mahkuntsu, Mpone Komako and Ismail Joosub discuss how South Africa’s Constitution shapes the real-world experience of rights and freedoms.
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: DISCUSSIONS WITH CILLIERS BRINK ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT PART 2
21 April 2025 @ All Day. –
In the latest episode of the Constitution@Work, Ismail Joosub, the Foundation’s Constitutional Advancement Programme Manager, continues his conversation with Cilliers Brink, member of the Democratic Alliance, on local government.
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.
SUBMISSION DRAFT GENERAL PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS, 2026
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on Draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026
SPEECHES
DEALING WITH THE PAST
DEALING WITH THE PAST SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK TO THE CAPE TOWN PRESS CLUB 1 OCTOBER 2020 It is once again a
THE CONSTITUTION, STATE CAPTURE AND THE WAY FORWARD
SPEECH BY FW DE KLERK, CHAIRMAN EMERITUS OF THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION TO THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION CONFERENCE, 2 FEBRUARY 2018 THE CONSTITUTION,
THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA AT 20: THE NEED FOR REAL TRANSFORMATION
SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK TO THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION CONFERENCE ON THE NEED FOR REAL TRANSFORMATION, CAPE TOWN, 31 JANUARY 2014
EVENTS
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.
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
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
- Equality
- Non-racialism
- Gender Rights
- The Constitution
- The Rule of Law
- Multiparty Democracy
- Personal Rights
- Cultural, Religious and Language Rights
- Freedom of Expression and Political Rights
- Social and Economic Rights
- Property Rights
- Education
- Access To The Courts, Information And Fair Adminstration