CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
ARTICLE: ONLY JUST FREE AND FAIR, A MOVE TO THE CENTRE, BUT STILL IN THE MIDST OF EXTRA-PARLIAMENTARY POLITICS
Democratic South Africa’s sixth general election has come and gone. Before reflecting on and interpreting the results, it is necessary to pause and consider the process that unfolded and brought us to this point. According to section 190 of the Constitution, the Electoral Commission must “manage elections… in accordance with national legislation; ensure that those elections are free and fair; and declare the results of those elections within a period that … is as short as reasonably possible”.
There was, therefore, a huge amount of preparation done for the 2019 National and Provincial Elections. During that time the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was also mandated by the Constitutional Court to ensure that every eligible voter had a correct home address – a task that they had not yet completed by Election Day. Concerns were registered beforehand about the IEC’s capacity and its budget. Concerns had also been raised about the number of voters who had registered. Despite the IEC’s best efforts, only 27 million of the 36 million eligible voters registered. A further concern was the low rate of youth registration, especially in the category 18 to 36 years.
ARTICLE: THE ELECTION FIGHT IS OVER, LET RECONSTRUCTION AND COHESION COMMENCE
Election day has come and gone, and we are still standing. While the snaking queues and goodwill of previous years was not visible yesterday, early estimates indicate that of the 26.8 million people who were registered to vote, at least 65% turned up at polling stations.
ARTICLE: WHAT TO DO IN THE LAST DAYS BEFORE THE SIXTH DEMOCRATIC ELECTION?
It is generally accepted that, after a period of intense political and social turmoil, South Africans are generally somewhat despondent, negative and bewildered. It is not necessary to further expand upon this – the daily dose of the latest state-capture scandal, road and flood deaths are well-known.
However, a general election doesn’t come every year. And with just two days before the election, the question is: what does one do from now until Wednesday and how does one approach the polling station on May 8, 2019? The correct answer is not, “nothing special”. Or, “I’m not going to vote”, or “I don’t know who to vote for”.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
SPEECHES
EVENTS
EPISODE 7: LEADER OF THE NP, PW BOTHA’S RESIGNATION, THE ELECTION AND HIS INAUGURATION (1989)
In episode 7 of the FW de Klerk Foundation’s exclusive biographical videos on former President FW de Klerk, viewers will learn about the events of the momentous year of 1989
THE 24TH BIRTHDAY OF THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION
The FW de Klerk Foundation was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit trust on 6 June 1999. Learn about the Foundation’s efforts thus far and its goals for the future.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION & NATIONAL FOUNDATIONS DIALOGUE INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE
The FW de Klerk Foundation is pleased to share the success of the recent inter-school debate, organised in collaboration with The National Foundations Dialogue Initiative (NFDI) and held at King David Victory Park High School on 29 May.
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