CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
STATEMENT CONDEMNING RECENT TARGETING OF MOSQUES
The FW de Klerk Foundation strenuously condemns the recent targeting of mosques in the Western Cape. The attacks on the Simon’s Town and Kalk Bay Mosques are an attack on the very foundations of our constitutional democracy, as provided for in Chapter 2 of the Bill of Rights that boldly asserts that “Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.”
The recent defacement and attacks on mosques stands in contrast to the sentiments and views of the majority of South Africans who place great value on religious respect and religious freedom. The Foundation stands with the vast majority in expressing outrage at the attack on places of worship and reverence. These attacks must be condemned but will not deter our collective commitment to building a tolerant, respectful and open society.
ARTICLE: BITING THE BULLET WITH EDUCATION OUTCOMES
The triumphant announcement of the 2016 matric results by the Minister and Department of Basic Education has subsequently been tempered as the harsh searchlight of reality has dawned.
ARTICLE: DAY OF RECONCILIATION 2016
The Day of Reconciliation was somewhat of a latecomer to the slate of negotiated and agreed on public holidays in the new South Africa.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
SPEECHES
EVENTS
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.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2020
The FW de Klerk Foundation annually hosts a conference on 2 February in Cape Town (this year’s event fell on Friday, 31 January), to coincide
ARTICLE: STAGE 6 LOAD-SHEDDING WAS THE LOW POINT OF CYRIL’S YEAR
2019 is racing to a close and one can – without fear of contradiction – say that Eskom’s Stage 6 load-shedding was the low point of President Ramaphosa’s year. It was also clear when he delivered his statement after meeting with the Eskom Board and management. And speaking of poor timing: on Monday, December 9, he wrote in his weekly newsletter to the nation about the miracle of Medupi and how impressive and imposing it is… In addition, we all remember his assurance at the beginning of the year that load-shedding at Eskom was something of the past; a promise repeated only a few months ago by Deputy President David Mabuza. And of course, many also remember that when President Ramaphosa was still Deputy President, he was in charge of the task team responsible for repairing State-owned entities (SOEs).
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