CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
THE FUTURE OF AGOA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SOUTH AFRICA: A CONSTITUTIONAL AND ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
Ismail Joosub examines the current state of The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), its implications for South Africa and how these factors intersect with constitutional and economic advancement.
SOUTH AFRICA’S CONTROVERSIAL MINISTERS – A CONSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS
Ismail Joosub investigates controversial members of Cabinet in the Government of National Unity, taking into account the demands of the various parties to it.
BALLOTS BEYOND BORDERS: THE IMPACT OF WESTERN ELECTIONS ON SOUTH AFRICA AMID GROWING GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS (PART 4)
Siyakudumisa Zicina considers the future of the United Kingdom and South Africa’s relation, concluding the series which considered the impact of Western elections on South Africa.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
ARTICLE: THE IDEOLOGICAL BLINDNESS TO THE ECONOMIC DAMAGE OF EXPROPRIATION WITH NIL COMPENSATION
The deadline for comments on the draft amendment bill on section 25 of the Constitution (the so-called Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill) is fast approaching. Numerous organisations are busy putting their comments in writing. The majority of these will oppose it, while committing themselves to the urgent need for land reform in terms of the present Constitution.
ARTICLE: IT’S STILL TOO EARLY TO SAY THAT IT’S GAME OVER FOR PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA
In a recent article, I wrote about five trends that will characterise 2020. These five are:
- Greater centralisation and State control by the ANC government on the actions of South Africans;
- Better investigations, charges and prosecutions by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks.
- The gradual but definite erosion of government institutions’ ability to govern, manage, maintain and provide basic services;
- The ongoing infighting within the ANC and its alliance partners (and accompanying attacks on President Ramaphosa); and
- The stagnant economy (with the possibility of a downgrade lurking).
In the past week, the focus of the media and citizens has specificially been on the infighting in the ANC (no. 4 above), which was influenced and even driven by Eskom’s problems (no. 3 above).
ARTICLE: FIVE TRENDS TO UNDERSTAND AND MANAGE 2020
At the start of a new year, we all reflect on the year ahead, what we want to do, what we are excited about, and what we are afraid of. What about the country – politics, the economy and our social life? It is impossible to make predictions, but one can describe certain trends, which are accompanied by certain events and their possible consequences.
Broadly, there are five trends that emerged during 2019 that will significantly impact the political and socio-economic landscape in 2020 – and which can help one to understand and cope with the year.
The first is a growing trend of centralisation and state control (read ANC control) of various aspects of South African society. There are currently four pieces of draft legislation (most of which were recently published by the ANC-controlled Parliament before the December holidays) that have one thing in common: greater and/ or absolute control over important national issues, which do not necessarily need State control or that should not be controlled because it is in the private domain according to constitutional requirements.
SPEECHES
SPEECH: 2 SEPTEMBER 1997, PRINCIPLES OF FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION
SPEECH: 2 SEPTEMBER 1997, PRINCIPLES OF FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION This great cathedral is a most fitting venue for the consideration of questions relating to forgiveness and
EVENTS
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH FINANCIAL LITERACY: SECURING THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
Ismail Joosub explores the intersection of financial literacy with constitutional rights and its broader impact on South Africa’s future.
MEET OUR INTERN: ALFRED SIBUSISO MAHKUNTSU
The FW de Klerk Foundation is pleased to have Alfred Sibusiso Mahkuntsu, a University of Cape Town LLM student, on board as an intern.
THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION COMMENTS ON GENERAL MUNICIPAL BILL, OPPOSES EXTENDING TIME TO RECTIFY IRREGULAR APPOINTMENTS
Daniela Ellerbeck, the Foundation’s Constitutional Rights Manager, reviews the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ General Municipal Bill.
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