CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION RELEASES THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD 2026
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Local Government Report Card 2026 provides an independent, non-partisan assessment of municipal performance and constitutional accountability across South Africa. Using 100 published tests across five key pillars, it evaluates 50 municipalities and highlights the institutional factors that drive success or failure in local government. The report offers evidence-based insights into the state of municipal governance and demonstrates that effective, constitutional local government is achievable.
CHRISTO VAN DER RHEEDE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT AT THE REMGRO FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director at the FW de Klerk Foundation was invited by the Remgro Foundation to speak at their annual leadership conference. His topic focused on education, the key to a better future.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION CONFERENCE CALLS FOR PRACTICAL REFORMS TO TURN CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS INTO REALITY
The FW de Klerk Foundation today hosted a conference on achieving successful municipal service delivery, bringing together leaders from government and civil society in local government.
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 DRAFT TOWNSHIP & RURAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALISATION POLICY
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on Draft Township & Rural Economy Development & Revitalisation Policy
SUBMISSION ON REVIEWED DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on reviewed draft white paper on local government
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
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
MUNICIPAL FAILURE IS NOT INEVITABLE AND THIS REPORT PROVES IT
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Local Government Report Card 2026 argues that municipal failure is not inevitable, but the result of identifiable institutional weaknesses that can be measured and addressed. Assessing 50 municipalities against 100 objective tests, the report highlights where local government is improving, where it is failing and what distinguishes high-performing municipalities from those in decline. It offers practical, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen constitutional governance, improve service delivery and make municipal recovery measurable.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION RELEASES THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD 2026
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Local Government Report Card 2026 provides an independent, non-partisan assessment of municipal performance and constitutional accountability across South Africa. Using 100 published tests across five key pillars, it evaluates 50 municipalities and highlights the institutional factors that drive success or failure in local government. The report offers evidence-based insights into the state of municipal governance and demonstrates that effective, constitutional local government is achievable.
CHRISTO VAN DER RHEEDE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT AT THE REMGRO FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director at the FW de Klerk Foundation was invited by the Remgro Foundation to speak at their annual leadership conference. His topic focused on education, the key to a better future.
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