CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
THE MADLANGA COMMISSION: DISMANTLING THE SHADOW STATE AND SOUTH AFRICA’S “STATE CAPTURE 2.0”
Since its inception in mid-2025, the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has provided a harrowing “X-ray” of South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION TO RELEASE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT CARD
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Human Rights Report Card assesses South Africans’ enjoyment of constitutional rights and presents over 30 recommendations to strengthen human rights and freedoms.
THE UNENDING TOLL OF WAR ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, reflects on the series of high-stakes conflicts that have reshaped geopolitical landscapes, fractured international alliances and, most critically, exacted a devastating toll on civilian populations that have defined the early 21st century.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
CFCR SUBMISSION ON EXPROPRIATION BILL 23-2020
SUBMISSION: EXPROPRIATION BILL 23-2020 [1] THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION [1.1] The FW de Klerk Foundation was established in 1999 to protect
ARTICLE: THE BRACKENFELL BOIL
Every now and then a boil appears on the 26-year-old face of the New South Africa. One such boil erupted on 6 October in Senekal – and another earlier this week at Brackenfell High School in the Cape. These ugly eruptions may reflect more than just a passing hormonal imbalance: they could indicate a deeper underlying toxicity that might threaten the whole body politic.
ARTICLE: Heritage Day – 24 September 2020: Uniting from a Distance
This Heritage Day we are slowly emerging from the most immediate aftermath of Covid-19 and its devastating effect on our country, economy and people.
On this day -and in a country belonging to all its’ people – South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their culture, the diversity of their beliefs and traditions.
One of the most important aspects recognised in the Constitution of South Africa, is the importance of our collective heritage and the rich cultural, linguistic and historical landscape painting the canvas of our people’s diversity. The South African Constitution unambiguously speaks to this in its’ preamble: South Africa belongs to all who live in it – united in our diversity – in the wider context of a nation and country recognising the injustices of our past; honouring those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land as well as respecting those who have worked to build and develop our country.
SPEECHES
EVENTS
THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT: PROTECTING PEOPLE AND THE PLANET
The Constitution guarantees everyone the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being, and to have the environment protected for present and future generations. Yet, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s latest Human Rights Report Card ranks the right to a healthy environment as the eighth most threatened right in South Africa.
GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT: SOUTH AFRICA’S CRISIS IN HEALTH, FOOD, WATER AND SOCIAL SECURITY
South Africa’s Constitution guarantees every person the right to have access to health care, to sufficient food and water and to social security. Yet, persistent systemic failures continue to limit access to essential services. For this reason, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s latest Human Rights Report Card rated the enjoyment of these socio‑economic rights as very poor and continuing to deteriorate.
ECONOMIC FREEDOM UNDER STRAIN: ACCESS TO WORK IN SOUTH AFRICA
The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to choose their trade, occupation or profession. However, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s latest Human Rights Report Card rated the enjoyment of this right as poor and deteriorating. Daniela Ellerbeck and Lusanda Mahkuntsu detail why in this article.
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