CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
THE WARD COUNCILLOR YOU’VE NEVER MET IS MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR LIFE
As first appeared in Sunday World. With local election turnout declining and youth disengagement deepening, too many South Africans remain disconnected from the ward councillors and municipalities that shape their daily lives. A new civic research initiative seeks to turn citizens’ experiences into evidence that can strengthen democratic participation, service delivery and municipal accountability ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
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.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
RACE, RIGHTS AND RESOURCES: ANALYSING THE UPRD BILL
The Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill, which seeks to introduce significant amendments to laws governing the exploration and extraction of petroleum resources, will have profound implications for South Africa’s energy sector and constitutional framework.
UPSTREAM PETROLEUM RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BILL SUBMISSION
UPSTREAM PETROLEUM RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BILL SUBMISSION Click here to read the submission.
BELA BILL SUBMISSION NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
BELA BILL SUBMISSION NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES Click here to read the submission.
SPEECHES
PRESIDENT DE KLERK’S SPEECH AFTER THE ADOPTION BY PARLIAMENT OF THE 1993 CONSTITUTION
PRESIDENT DE KLERK’S SPEECH AFTER THE ADOPTION BY PARLIAMENT OF THE 1993 CONSTITUTION EMBARGO: VERGELYK TEEN LEWERING CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY TOESPRAAK BY GELEENTHEID VAN AFSLUITING
SPEECH BY PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
SPEECH BY PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE SPEECH BY THE STATE PRESIDENT, MR F W DE KLERK, ON
THE DISMANTLING OF SOUTH AFRICA’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS
STRICT EMBARGO: 16:45 ON 24 MARCH 1993 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY THE STATE PRESIDENT, MR F W DE KLERK, TO A JOINT
EVENTS
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.
THE STATE CANNOT FIX MUNICIPALITIES WHILE REFUSING TO PAY THEM
Provincial departments owed municipalities R14,9 billion by December 2025, placing further pressure on already fragile local government finances. This persistent non-payment undermines service delivery, violates the principles of cooperative government and forces municipalities to finance provincial operations through unpaid accounts. National Treasury should enforce accountability and establish a targeted mechanism to deduct verified municipal debts from provincial allocations.
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.
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