CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
ABDULLAH IBRAHIM: A JAZZ ICON OF INTERNATIONAL STATURE
Abdullah Ibrahim’s influence extends far beyond the distinctive sounds of District Six, the townships, and the broader narrative of Africa’s struggle against injustice. Through his compositions, he endowed African jazz with symphonic depth and elevated it to the international stage. His legacy lives on in the communities where he laid the groundwork for the next generation of jazz musicians. It lives on across both local and international stages. It lives on in every musician who pays tribute to him by interpreting his music as their own.
THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION URGES PARLIAMENT TO ACT ON R1 BILLION MILITARY HOSPITAL FAILURE
The FW de Klerk Foundation urges Parliament to act to ensure that public funds are used efficiently, economically, effectively, and transparently. The Foundation is concerned about the repair and maintenance project at Tshwane’s 1 Military Hospital. More than R1 billion has been spent, yet the project remains incomplete. Government is now considering a new facility.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION RELEASES “WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT ANYWAY?” – A NEW DIGITAL GUIDE TO THE 2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
The FW de Klerk Foundation and its partners have launched Whose Responsibility Is It Anyway?, a new digital guide designed to help South Africans, particularly young voters, navigate the 2026 Local Government Elections. The guide explains the role of local government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the practical steps required to register and vote. As the first in a three-part series, it aims to strengthen constitutional literacy, democratic participation and accountability beyond election day.
PODCASTS
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: SPECIAL DAY OF RECONCILIATION EPISODE
14 December 2022 @ 12:00 pm –
In this special Reconciliation Day episode of The Constitution@Work, FW de Klerk Foundation Vice-Chair Elita de Klerk and Manager of Constitutional Programmes Tyla Dallas are joined by two of our previous Goodwill award recipients- Danny Diliberto, (founder of Ladles of Love) and Pieter-Dirk Uys (South African performer…
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: BELA BILL PART 1
28 November 2022 @ 12:00 pm –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, we discuss the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA Bill) and the impact it will have on language and cultural rights in South Africa. CEO of FEDSAS Jaco Deacon and ACDP member of Parliament’s Basic Education Committee Marie Sukers join FW de Klerk Foundation Chairperson…
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: HATE SPEECH BILL PART 1
23 November 2022 @ 12:00 pm –
In this episode of the Constitution@Work, Legal Advisor to Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA) Daniela Ellerbeck, joins FW de Klerk Foundation Chairperson Dave Steward and Manager of Constitutional Programmes Tyla Dallas for a discussion on the Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill and the impact….
SUBMISSIONS
SUBMISSION ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT: GENERAL LAWS AMENDMENT BILL 2024
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the General Laws Amendment Bill, 2024.
GILAB PASSED BY PARLY: A SUCCESS STORY OF THE POWER OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Yesterday Parliament passed a very much reworked version of the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (‘the GILAB’) – a shining example of successful public participation.
PARLIAMENT PASSES BELA BILL
The Foundation is concerned that the BELA Bill was passed by Parliament as the Bill will infringe upon the right to education in an official language of your choice.
SPEECHES
THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE OF TERRORISM AND PERSONAL SECURITY
SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK,to THE STERN STEWART INSTITUTE, ROTACH-EGERN, 23 SEPTEMBER 2005 TORONTO, 15 NOVEMBER 2005 “THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE
CALL FOR A NEW ORGANISATION TO PRESENT A COMMON FRONT IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT
SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK TO THE AFRIKANERBOND 26 OCTOBER 2005 CALL FOR A NEW ORGANISATION TO PRESENT A COMMON
SOUTH AFRICA, 2005, SUCCESSES,FAILURES,CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
OPENING STATEMENT BY F W DE KLERK IN HIS DEBATE WITH TOKYO SEXWALE CAPE TOWN, 24 OCTOBER 2005 The New South Africa can
EVENTS
AUDITOR-GENERAL TSAKANI MALULEKE TABLED THE CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUDIT OUTCOMES 2024-25 ON 24 JUNE 2026
Overall State: The 2024-25 Auditor-General report reveals that local government has failed to achieve a turnaround, resulting in unreliable services and failing infrastructure.
A DEFIANCE OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL COMPACT: THE PERIL OF XENOPHOBIC MOBILISATION
The FW de Klerk Foundation views the ongoing escalation of xenophobic violence, intimidation, and the scapegoating of foreign nationals in South Africa with profound alarm. We write this to state clearly: such acts are not merely “community grievances” – they are a direct, violent, and unacceptable affront to the foundational values of our 1996 constitutional settlement.
CIVIL SOCIETY CALLS FOR TIME-BOUND PARLIAMENTARY ACTION ON ELECTORAL REFORM
Civil society organisations and individuals urge Parliament to act without delay to finalise its consideration of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel’s report, warning that the window to secure meaningful electoral reform before the 2029 national and provincial elections is rapidly closing.
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