CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER RISING XENOPHOBIC MOBILISATION
The FW de Klerk Foundation has expressed concern over the growing escalation of xenophobic mobilisation and anti-immigrant intimidation in parts of South Africa. While acknowledging legitimate concerns around undocumented migration and border management, the Foundation stresses that immigration enforcement must remain lawful, constitutional and state-led. The Foundation warns that vigilantism, collective punishment and hate-driven exclusion threaten human dignity, social cohesion and the rule of law.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION MARKS 30 YEARS SINCE THE ADOPTION OF SOUTH AFRICA’S CONSTITUTION
Today marks thirty years since the Constitutional Assembly adopted South Africa’s Constitution. The Assembly was South Africa’s first democratically elected, non-racial parliament and reflected diverse political views.
SOUTH AFRICA FINALLY HAS AN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES. NOW WHAT?
South Africa’s appointment of Roelf Meyer as ambassador to the United States marks more than a routine diplomatic posting – it signals the restoration of constitutional statecraft at a time of strained bilateral relations.
PODCASTS
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS WITH ADVOCATE PAUL HOFFMAN
16 September 2022 @ 12:00 am –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, Director and Head of Projects at Accountability Now Advocate Paul Hoffman joins FW de Klerk Foundation Chairperson Dave Steward and Manager of Constitutional Programmes Tyla Dallas for a discussion on the accountability of public officials, looking specifically…
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: THE IMPACT OF THE BASIC EDUCATION LAWS AMENDMENT BILL ON LANGUAGE RIGHTS IN SA
14 September 2022 @ 12:00 am –
In this series of The Constitution@Work, FW de Klerk Foundation Chairperson Dave Steward and Manager of Constitutional Programmes Tyla Dallas discuss the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (“BELA Bill”) and the severe impact it will have on language rights and undocumented learners in South Africa.
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: THE CURRENT THREAT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS WITH JONATHAN GRANOFF
29 August 2022 @ 12:00 am –
Thirteen years ago, the United Nations declared 29 August as the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. In honour of the occasion, the latest episode of The Constitution@Work – the new podcast series by the FW de Klerk Foundation – features Foundation Chairman Dave Steward in conversation with Jonathan Granoff on the current threat of nuclear weapons, particularly against the backdrop…
SUBMISSIONS
PARLY’S SECOND HOUSE PASSES THE EXPROPRIATION BILL
On Tuesday, 19 March 2024, Parliament’s second house, the National Council of Provinces, passed a version of the Expropriation Bill which allows for expropriation without compensation.
THE GILAB: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
The FW de Klerk Foundation outlines the problems and potential solutions to the GILAB, whilst also outlining the progression of the Bill from inception to its current form.
BELA BILL ORAL SUBMISSION TO PARLIAMENT
On 7 March, Ismail Joosub, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Legal Officer, made an oral submission to Parliament on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (the BELA Bill).
SPEECHES
HOW CAN THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITY INFLUENCE DEMOCRATIC AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN AFRICA?
SPEECH TO THE GLOBAL PANEL BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK, MUNICH, 22 SEPTEMBER 2005 “HOW CAN THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITY INFLUENCE
THE FUTURE OF AFRIKAANS EDUCATION
SPEECH BY F W DE KLERK TO THE KDA CONFERENCE STELLENBOSCH, 28 JULY 2005 THE FUTURE OF AFRIKAANS EDUCATION
THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY, JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN A GLOBALISING WORLD
SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE ACADEMIC SOCIETY OF LUND UNIVERSITY. LUND, SWEDEN 9 MAY 2005 ‘BEYOND PROSPERITY:
EVENTS
THE ANATOMY OF A MUNICIPAL MELTDOWN: THE CRISIS IN NELSON MANDELA BAY
The oversight engagement conducted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in May 2026 has laid bare a grim reality: Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Metropolitan Municipality is in the throes of a systemic collapse.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESET MUST BRING THE CONSTITUTION HOME
The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the Reviewed Draft White Paper on Local Government and argues that South Africa’s municipal crisis requires a constitutional reset rather than isolated technical fixes. The statement highlights the importance of accountable, professional and depoliticised local government that can give practical meaning to constitutional rights through reliable service delivery and responsive governance. It further cautions that reform must strengthen local democracy, municipal autonomy and public participation while restoring trust in local government institutions.
CAN TECHNOLOGY SAVE DEMOCRACY? A LOOK INTO AI AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
As South Africa approaches the 2026 local government elections, the growing role of artificial intelligence presents both democratic risks and democratic opportunities. While misinformation, synthetic media and declining public trust threaten electoral integrity, technology can also strengthen civic education, improve access to verified information and reconnect young people to democratic participation. The real challenge is therefore not whether technology can save democracy, but whether it can be responsibly used to strengthen constitutional resilience, public trust and active citizenship.
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