CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION URGES PARLIAMENT TO MEET LEGAL OBLIGATIONS FOR ELECTORAL REFORM
The FW de Klerk Foundation has formally written to Parliament to request urgent clarity on the programme, process and timelines for finalising its consideration of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel’s (“ERCP”) consolidated report.
THE COST OF COLLAPSE: HOW MUNICIPAL DYSFUNCTION IS DISMANTLING THE VAAL TRIANGLE’S ECONOMY
Spending two days in this municipality exposes the stark reality of its collapse. The former heartbeat of the South African economy has been reduced to a dilapidated landscape scarred by massive, neglected potholes and failing public utilities. Residents are left to navigate a complete infrastructural mess, a reality made all the more frustrating by the nearly R700 million that was spent on municipal employee overtime between 2019 and 2025, despite consistently worsening service delivery.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION RELEASES DOWNLOADABLE PDF VERSION OF “WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT ANYWAY?” – THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION GUIDE 2026
The FW de Klerk Foundation and its partners have released the free downloadable PDF version of Whose Responsibility Is It Anyway? The Local Government Election Guide 2026. Written in clear and accessible language, the guide explains local government, voter registration, municipal accountability and the importance of participating in the 2026 local elections. It is the first instalment of a three-part civic-education series designed to help South Africans move from registration to informed participation and continued accountability.
PODCASTS
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: SOUTH AFRICA’S FOREIGN POLICY
5 May 2023 @ 12:00 am –
This episode of The Constitution@Work focuses on South Africa’s foreign policy and the impact it may have on international relations. Steven Gruzd, Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs, joins FW de Klerk Foundation Chairperson Dave Steward, Manager of Constitutional Programmes….
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: THE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT CARD TOP 10 THREATS
16 March 2023 @ 12:00 am –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, Tyla Dallas FW de Klerk Foundation Manager of Constitutional Programmes is joined by Dave Steward FW de Klerk Foundation Chairperson and the Foundation’s team of interns – Wilmore Tendai Chisiiwa, Ismail Joosub and Rosa Sommer – to discuss its latest annual Human Rights Report Card for 2022 which will be released on Human Rights Day…
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION
30 January 2023 @ 12:00 pm –
This episode of The Constitution@Work focuses on the upcoming FW de Klerk Foundation annual conference on Thursday, 2 February which will explore the important role that journalists, Chapter Nine Institutions, NGOs and the Courts have played – and will continue to play- in ensuring that South Africa remains a constitutional democracy….
SUBMISSIONS
THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION COMMENTS ON COALITION BILL, URGES PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE
The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill 2024.
COALITION BILL NOT PERFECT, BUT IMPORTANT TO STAY IN CONVERSATION
Daniela Ellerbeck, Constitutional Rights Programme Manager, reviews the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ bills that proffer solutions to address the problem of shaky municipal coalitions – the Coalition Bill and the General Bill.
SUBMISSION ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MUNICIPAL STRUCTURES AMENDMENT BILL 2024
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, 2024.
SPEECHES
GROOTE SCHUUR, BEINF PRESIDENT AND RETIREMENT
SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO BENCHMARK SPORTS GROUP GROOTE SCHUUR, CAPE TOWN 5 APRIL 2006 It is
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AFTER 11 YEARS
SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK: CAPE TOWN, 1 DECEMBER 2005 FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AFTER 11 YEARS Eleven years have
RWANDA: MEMORY, RESPONSIBILITY, JUSTICE, THE FUTURE: A SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE 6TH WORLD SUMMIT OF NOBEL PEACE LAUREATES; ROME, 25 NOVEMBER 2005 RWANDA: MEMORY, RESPONSIBILITY,
EVENTS
A VISIT TO LADLES OF LOVE
This year, Ladles of Love is one of a few selected non-governmental organisations that received financial support from the FW de Klerk Foundation in recognition of the excellent work they are doing and the valuable contribution that they make towards fulfilling the constitutional rights of vulnerable groups, such as children. The funds for these organisations were raised through the 2025 Nedbank SA Charity Golf Day, a yearly event of which President De Klerk is a Life Patron
THE YOUTH HAVE REGISTERED. NOW GIVE THEM A REASON TO VOTE
Young South Africans responded strongly to the first voter-registration weekend, with people aged 16 to 29 accounting for 80% of all new registrations. But registration does not automatically translate into trust or turnout, particularly when young citizens face severe unemployment, declining services and limited confidence in local government. Political parties must now earn their votes through credible candidates, measurable ward-level commitments and transparent accountability.
XENOPHOBIA IS NOW A TRADE POLICY PROBLEM, NOT JUST A LAW-AND-ORDER ONE
Xenophobic violence is no longer only a domestic law-and-order concern; it is placing South Africa’s regional trade relationships, diplomatic credibility and continental standing at risk. With billions of dollars in trade flowing between South Africa and its neighbours, even limited disruption caused by consumer backlash, logistical delays and declining trust could carry serious economic consequences. South Africa must therefore combine lawful migration enforcement with decisive prosecutions, diplomatic engagement and firm protection of constitutional order.
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