CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
WHY DIVERSITY MATTERS
Diversity can be a mechanism for nation-building, because it can strengthen social cohesion and opens up economic value chains.
THE ROLE OF MUNICIPALITIES IN PROMOTING OUR HERITAGE
South Africa’s cultural and linguistic heritage depends on public spaces where communities can learn, gather and pass traditions from one generation to the next. Municipalities have an important role in maintaining the local facilities and public spaces that help make these constitutional rights meaningful in everyday life. As Heritage Month and the local government elections approach, communities should demand clear accountability for how these spaces are maintained, funded and protected.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION WELCOMES SPEAKER’S RESPONSE ON PARLIAMENTARY DISRUPTIONS
The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the Speaker of the National Assembly’s confirmation that its submission on parliamentary disruptions has been shared with the National Assembly Rules Committee. The Foundation’s research highlights both the constitutional and financial costs of disruptions that undermine Parliament’s oversight role. It calls for consistent enforcement of the rules, appropriate penalties and clear feedback on how its recommendations will be taken forward.
PODCASTS
THE CONSTITUTION IN ACTION: YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY
16 October 2025 @ All Day. –
Ismail Joosub and Amirah Hassim, members of the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Constitutional Advancement Programme, are joined by Advice Chuma (Founder of the Swakoteka Foundation) to discuss student activism, how young voices are treated in local government, how to get the youth involved in our democracy, the difficulties facing Johannesburg and the reality of coalitions at the local government level.
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: COALITION GOVERNMENT #2
14 October 2025 @ All Day. –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Constitutional Rights Programme team, Daniela Ellerbeck and Lusanda Mahkuntsu, are joined by Tony Leon (former leader of the Democratic Alliance). Together, they explore the 14-day period the Constitution allows for the formation of a national government and what the events leading up to the establishment of South Africa’s 2024 Government of National Unity reveal about the Constitution, the country’s political culture, and the future of coalition governance.
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: ACHIEVING AN INCLUSIVE ECONOMY #2
13 October 2025 @ All Day. –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, Daniela Ellerbeck, Ismail Joosub and Christo van der Rheede discuss the intersection of law, policy and inclusive economic growth in South Africa with the Foundation’s current interns, Amirah Hassim and Sonia Twongyeirwe.
SUBMISSIONS
SUBMISSION ON THE WATER SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the Water Services Amendment Bill.
WHY MUNICIPAL PERFORMANCE MATTERS – AND HOW BETTER RULES COULD FIX LOCAL GOVERNMENT
South Africans live with the consequences of municipal collapse every day – from water outages to uncollected refuse and crumbling infrastructure. The Foundation’s submission on COGTA’s Draft Regulations sets out how performance management can be rebuilt on constitutional values like accountability, openness and responsiveness. The Foundation proposed reforms that give communities a real voice, ensure lawful oversight, and create clear lines of responsibility so that municipalities can get back to delivering the services people depend on.
SUBMISSION ON THE DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the Draft amendments to the Local Government: Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations.
SPEECHES
CULTURAL AND LANGUAGE DIVERSITY AND NATIONAL UNITY
OPENING STATEMENT OF FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE CONFERENCE ON UNITY IN DIVERSITY, RADISSON HOTEL, GRANGER BAY, CAPE TOWN, 28 FEBRUARY 2008
DEMOCRACY AND CIVIL SOCIETY
SPEECH ON CIVIL SOCIETY BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE FIRST GLOBAL FORUM ON NEW DEMOCRACIES: TAPEI, 24 JANUARY 2008 Ultimately, the
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FORM OF DEMOCRACY
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS (3 MINUTES) BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE FIRST GLOBAL FORUM ON NEW DEMOCRACIES, TAIPEI, 24 JANUARY 2008 The initiative
EVENTS
WHY DIVERSITY MATTERS
Diversity can be a mechanism for nation-building, because it can strengthen social cohesion and opens up economic value chains.
THE ROLE OF MUNICIPALITIES IN PROMOTING OUR HERITAGE
South Africa’s cultural and linguistic heritage depends on public spaces where communities can learn, gather and pass traditions from one generation to the next. Municipalities have an important role in maintaining the local facilities and public spaces that help make these constitutional rights meaningful in everyday life. As Heritage Month and the local government elections approach, communities should demand clear accountability for how these spaces are maintained, funded and protected.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION BOARD CONFIRMS RESIGNATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MR CHRISTO VAN DER RHEEDE
FW de Klerk Foundation Board Confirms Resignation Of Executive Director Mr Christo Van Der Rheede
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