CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
LETTER FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT ON FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION PARLIAMENTARY DISRUPTION RESEARCH
The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the Presidency’s response to its research on the financial and constitutional cost of parliamentary disruptions. The Foundation’s analysis shows that disrupted sittings can cost taxpayers thousands of rand per minute while weakening Parliament’s duty to hold the Executive accountable. Following the Presidency’s encouragement, the Foundation will now engage Parliament directly on stronger accountability, consequence management and respect for South Africa’s constitutional institutions.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS FAILING SOUTH AFRICANS – HERE IS HOW WE FIX IT
For millions of South Africans, the Constitution promises open, accountable and responsive government, dignity, equality and access to basic services like water. Yet for many communities, those promise collapses at local government level. Water taps run dry, refuse is not collected, potholes are permanent and corruption goes unpunished.
SECURING THE FOUNDATION OF PROSPERITY: WHY SOUTH AFRICA MUST EXPAND, NOT ABOLISH, PROPERTY RIGHTS
Three decades after South Africa’s transition to a non-racial democracy, the country’s unresolved land question remains one of its most volatile political and economic fault lines. Recently, calls to abolish private land ownership have resurfaced with renewed vigor. Promoted by political figures such as Mzwanele “Jimmy” Manyi and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), this populist rhetoric advocates for the elimination of private property in favour of total state ownership or state trusteeship.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
PETROLEUM PARITY: FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SUBMITS COMMENTS ON UPSTREAM PETROLEUM RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BILL
The FW de Klerk Foundation submitted a comprehensive written submission to Parliament on the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill.
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE LAWS AMENDMENT BILL SUBMISSION
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE LAWS AMENDMENT BILL SUBMISSION Click here to read the submission and here to view Annexure A.
GILAB’S INTELLIGENCE INTRUSION FLAGGED
On 7 February 2024, the FW de Klerk Foundation voiced its concerns regarding the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill during Parliament’s public hearings.
SPEECHES
PRINCIPLES OF FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION
PRINCIPLES OF FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION SPEECH BY MR F W DE KLERK AT COVENTRY CATHEDRAL, COVENTRY, ON 2 SEPTEMBER 1997 This great cathedral is a
FW DE KLERK SPEECH ON THE ADOPTION OF THE 1996 CONSTITUTION
FW DE KLERK SPEECH ON THE ADOPTION OF THE 1996 CONSTITUTION TOESPRAAK DEUR ADJUNKPRESIDENT F W DE KLERK, GRONDWETDEBAT, 8 MEI 1996 Vandag bereik ons
PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK’S CONCESSION SPEECH
PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK’S CONCESSION SPEECH TOESPRAAK VAN DIE STAATSPRESIDENT, MNR F W DE KLERK, OP DIE VERKIESINGSUITSLAG 2 MEI 1994 Four years and three
EVENTS
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.
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