CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION RELEASES THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD 2026
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Local Government Report Card 2026 provides an independent, non-partisan assessment of municipal performance and constitutional accountability across South Africa. Using 100 published tests across five key pillars, it evaluates 50 municipalities and highlights the institutional factors that drive success or failure in local government. The report offers evidence-based insights into the state of municipal governance and demonstrates that effective, constitutional local government is achievable.
CHRISTO VAN DER RHEEDE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT AT THE REMGRO FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director at the FW de Klerk Foundation was invited by the Remgro Foundation to speak at their annual leadership conference. His topic focused on education, the key to a better future.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION CONFERENCE CALLS FOR PRACTICAL REFORMS TO TURN CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS INTO REALITY
The FW de Klerk Foundation today hosted a conference on achieving successful municipal service delivery, bringing together leaders from government and civil society in local government.
PODCASTS
THE CONSTITUTION IN ACTION PODCAST: WOMEN’S MONTH X MONEY SMART WEEK 2025 DISCUSSION
28 July 2025 @ All Day. –
In honour of Women’s Month and in support of Money Smart Week 2025, the Constitutional Advancement Programme team hosted a roundtable discussion featuring Thando Malinga, Amirah Hassim, Nadia Adam (FAB Foundation Founder) and Kamvakazi Myataza (Project Youth SA Board Member).
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: COALITION GOVERNMENT
28 July 2025 @ All Day. –
In the latest episode of Constitution@Work, the FW de Klerk Foundation team – Christo van der Rheede, Daniela Ellerbeck and Ismail Joosub – is joined by Prof William Gumede to discuss how to achieve stable coalition governments. This timely conversation marks the recent first anniversary of the establishment of the 2024 Government of National Unity (“GNU”).
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: A CLOSER LOOK AT US TRADE TARIFFS
17 July 2025 @ All Day. –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, Daniela Ellerbeck, Ismail Joosub, Christo van der Rheede and Sonia Twongyeirwe explore the potential effects of President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs on South Africa’s economy. They also highlight the critical role of negotiations and emphasise the need for South Africa to diversify its trade partners and export products to better navigate changing global dynamics.
SUBMISSIONS
URGENT REQUEST BY THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION FOR PROCESSING OF ERCP CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON ELECTORAL REFORM AHEAD OF 2029 ELECTIONS
The FW de Klerk Foundation makes an urgent request for processing of ERCP consolidated report on electoral reform ahead of 2029 elections.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SUBMITS COMMENTS ON IPID DRAFT REGULATIONS
The FW de Klerk Foundation has submitted formal comments on the Draft Independent Police Investigative Directorate Regulations, 2025, and warns that key provisions threaten the IPID’s independence.
SUBMISSION ON THE DRAFT INDEPENDENT POLICE INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTORATE REGULATIONS 2025
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the Draft Independent Police Investigative Directorate Regulations 2025.
SPEECHES
LEADERSHIP IN A MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT – BUILDING BRIDGES IN A DIVIDED WORLD
SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE INTERLAKEN ALPEN SYMPOSIUM: INTERLAKEN, SWITZERLAND, 22 JANUARY 2008 LEADERSHIP IN A MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT – BUILDING
SOUTH AFRICA ON THE EVE OF THE ANC’S POLOKWANE CONFERENCE
SPEECH OF F W DE KLERK AARDKLOP 25 SEPTEMBER 2007 Harvard, 7 November 2007 AN END OR A BEGINNING: LEADERSHIP EN ROUTE TO
FW DE KLERK RESPONDS TO CHARGES THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN GROSS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
STATEMENT BY F W DE KLERK ON RECENT PRESS REPORTS CAPE TOWN, 26 JULY 2007 Last Friday a report appeared in the Mail & Guardian
EVENTS
MAY THE CAPE TOWN METROPOLITAN POLICE INVESTIGATE CRIME?
The ongoing crime crisis in South Africa, and particularly in Cape Town, has led to a constructive debate about the role and powers of municipal police services. While the South African Police Service (SAPS) is increasingly struggling to combat organized crime and violence effectively, the City of Cape Town has taken steps to establish its own investigative capacity.
INTRODUCING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD 2026
The Local Government Report Card 2026 provides an independent assessment of 50 municipalities across all nine provinces, measuring performance against five pillars of constitutional local government. The findings reveal a sharply uneven picture, with strong institutional leadership and sound financial management consistently linked to better service delivery and public accountability. By presenting clear evidence of what works, what fails and where improvement is possible, the Report Card equips residents, councillors and policymakers to demand practical, measurable change.
SUBMISSION URGENT REQUEST FOR CONFIRMATION OF PARLIAMENT’S TIMELINES, ROADMAP AND INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES FOR ERCP REPORT
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s urgent request for confirmation of Parliament’s timelines, roadmap and institutional priorities for ERCP Report
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