CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PARLIAMENT’S CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND FASTER ACTION ON SCHOOL SANITATION
The FW de Klerk Foundation notes with concern Parliament’s Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries’ criticism about the Department of Basic Education’s communication on school sanitation. The Foundation shares Parliament’s concern that government must present an accurate picture of the challenges that remain. Parliament’s oversight visits to schools in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West found that many learners still use unsafe toilets and attend schools without reliable water. No child should face these conditions.
MODERN VOTING IS NOT ENOUGH IF MUNICIPALITIES REMAIN OPAQUE
South Africa is modernising the voting process through online registration, mobile tools and accessible election information. But after voters elect municipal councils, many still struggle to access clear, reliable information about service delivery, budgets, complaints and audit findings. This article argues that the 2026 local government elections must be about more than voting: Municipalities must open up, report back and account.
A VISIT TO THE CAPE TOWN SOCIETY OF THE BLIND
The CTSB 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 and persons with disabilities. The funds dispersed in 2026 to these organisations were raised through the 2025 Nedbank SA Charity Golf Day, a yearly event of which President De Klerk is a Life Patron.
PODCASTS
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: DISCUSSIONS WITH CILLIERS BRINK ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT PART 1
18 February 2025 @ All Day. –
In this episode of Constitution@Work, Ismail Joosub, the Foundation’s Constitutional Advancement Programme Manager, sits down with Cilliers Brink, member of the Democratic Alliance, to discuss local government.
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: ELECTORAL REFORM PODCAST #7
18 February 2025 @ All Day. –
In this episode of the Constitution@Work, Ismail Joosub, Thando Malinga, Lusanda Mahkuntsu and Mpone Komako, of the FW de Klerk Foundation, discuss the importance of electoral reform before 2029, the rapidly closing window for meaningful electoral reform, the Foundation’s recent submission regarding the Draft Amendments to the Local Government Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations and the Foundation’s urgent request to Honourable Dr Leon Schreiber (MP Minister of Home Affairs), Honourable Angela Thokozile Didiza (Speaker of the National Assembly) and Honourable Mosa Chabane (Chairperson, Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs) for swift action to ensure Parliament fulfils its legal obligations, by ensuring that any necessary legislation can be processed in good time.
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: ELECTORAL REFORM PODCAST #6
1 December 2025 @ All Day. –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, Daniela Ellerbeck and Ismail Joosub, of the FW de Klerk Foundation, are joined by Mohau Lecheko and Mmusi Aloysias Maimane, leader of Build One South Africa, to discuss electoral reform.
SUBMISSIONS
SUBMISSION ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES INFRASTRUCTURE AGENCY SOC LIMITED AMENDMENT BILL
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Amendment Bill
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SUBMISSION ON THE WATER SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL
The FW de Klerk Foundation has submitted comments to Parliament on the Water Services Amendment Bill, supporting its aim to improve accountability in South Africa’s failing water sector while proposing safeguards to uphold constitutional and cooperative governance principles.
SUBMISSION ON THE WATER SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the Water Services Amendment Bill.
SPEECHES
TRANSITIONS IN A MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY: THE SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK TO THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE SYMPOSIUM BRUSSELS 4 NOVEMBER 2013 TRANSITIONS IN A MUTLI-ETHNIC SOCIETY: A SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
AFRICA TODAY AND AFRICA TOMORROW
AFRICA TODAY AND AFRICA TOMORROW SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE 30 CLUB LONDON 15 OCTOBER 2013 AFRICA TODAY AND AFRICA
THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY
THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY THE BARRY STREEK LECTURE BY FW DE KLERK CAPE TOWN, 6 SEPTEMBER 2012 THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY It’s a great honour
EVENTS
LESSONS FROM THE 2026 GTAC CONFERENCE
The 2026 GTAC Public Economics Conference highlighted a central truth: South Africa’s employment crisis cannot be solved by training people for jobs that do not exist. Sustainable progress requires evidence-based policy, smarter public spending and greater support for the informal, township and rural economies where millions already earn their livelihoods. Ultimately, the Constitution demands a state that protects dignity, removes barriers to opportunity and measures success by real outcomes rather than the number of programmes funded.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION ON WITHHOLDING OF MUNICIPAL TRANSFERS
The FW de Klerk Foundation notes National Treasury’s decision to withhold transfers to non-compliant municipalities and Parliament’s call for their urgent compliance. These developments confirm what has become crystal clear: Many municipalities across South Africa faces a deep and persistent governance crisis.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PARLIAMENT’S CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND FASTER ACTION ON SCHOOL SANITATION
The FW de Klerk Foundation notes with concern Parliament’s Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries’ criticism about the Department of Basic Education’s communication on school sanitation. The Foundation shares Parliament’s concern that government must present an accurate picture of the challenges that remain. Parliament’s oversight visits to schools in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West found that many learners still use unsafe toilets and attend schools without reliable water. No child should face these conditions.
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