CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
RESTORING LOCAL GOVERNMENT: THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION’S CALL FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Daniela Ellerbeck outlines the Foundation’s recent submission on the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ Discussion Document on the Review of the White Paper on Local Government.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION CALLS FOR FULL ACCOUNTABILITY IN SETA BOARD SCANDAL
The FW de Klerk Foundation is deeply concerned by reports that Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, misled Parliament regarding the appointment of politically connected individuals to chair the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities.
THE SHADOW ECONOMY IS NOT A THREAT – IT IS AN UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITY
Ismail Joosub acknowledges that official labour statistics may overlook critical aspects of youth unemployment, particularly within the informal economy, and that both the private and public sectors need to pay attention to this opportunity.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
ARTICLE: A JUNK WORKERS DAY
As the country stares into junk status, the hardest hit are the poor and unemployed. Contrary to the utterances of several (uninformed and or reckless) public officials that junk status allows South Africa to set its own rules of the game, there is no good that comes from higher borrowing cost, higher rates of debt repayment and its concomitant effect on domestic allocations for social services, infrastructure development and cost of food and transport, among a myriad of impacts of a downgrade to sub-investment ratings.
The status quo stands in contrast to a vision that was outlined by the National Planning Commission in its 2011 National Development Plan (NDP). Chapter three on Economy and Employment (Vision 2030) outlined a considered strategy whereby “achieving full employment, decent work and sustainable livelihoods is the only way to improve living standards and ensure a dignified existence for all South Africans. Rising employment, productivity and incomes are the surest long-term solution to reducing inequality”.
How will the NDP’s central goal to “expand employment and entrepreneurial opportunities on the back of a growing, more inclusive economy”, be held ransom by the current incompetent and unaccountable political leadership, on whose watch the economy has slid into a tailspin, with growth levels predicted at under 1% per annum.
ARTICLE: FREEDOM DAY – IS THERE ANYTHING TO CELEBRATE?
As with other historical events, many South Africans still remember 27 April 1994 very well. A day of long voting queues and goodwill, the feeling of a new beginning. It was the birth of the “New South Africa”.
After that, many Freedom Days followed. Numerous South Africans, especially those who experienced 1994, will regard this year’s Freedom Day as the lowest point of all Freedom Days.
Why? Because we see what is happening to us in the political, economic and social arena. There is great tension in the ruling party – about the current President, but also in the leadership struggle for a new President. There is talk of corruption and state capture by government leaders and officials. We see the economy stagnate and that our country’s financial system has basically been downgraded to junk status. We experience racial tension and an apparent total lack of reconciliation and shared values.
ARTICLE: SOCIAL COHESION IN CONTEMPORARY SOUTH AFRICA
As South Africans mourn the death of a great leader in Ahmed Kathrada, the broadest consensus on both social media and the mainstream, was one that expressed bereavement for a towering man who had lived through the worst of times and the best of times but died a sad man. Why was this so, we ask? Ahmed Kathrada’s poignant letter to the President summed up his and the views of millions of South Africans. We expected more, we expected better and are now bereft.
It was a poignant start to the Centre for Unity in Diversity’s Roundtable Series – held on 28 March in Cape Town – to pause and reflect on a great man’s legacy as we gathered to reflect on our first theme for the year, “Social Cohesion in Contemporary South Africa”. The Roundtable Series is crafted to stimulate discussion and debate on core issues that flow from the constitutional premise, “United in our Diversity”, captured in the Preamble.
SPEECHES
EVENTS
SPATIAL SEGREGATION: THE INVISIBLE WALLS SHAPING SOUTH AFRICA’S YOUTH
Amirah Hassim and Thando Malinga consider how spatial segregation, instigated during Apartheid, continues to shape how young people live, learn and dream today.
A CLOSER LOOK INTO POWERING THE NATION’S FUTURE – THE IRP 2025
Amirah Hassim evaluates the R2,23 trillion Integrated Resource Plan (2025) and the potential this plan holds for the nation, especially the youth.
SOUTH AFRICA’S LAWMAKING PROCESS
Daniela Ellerbeck clarifies the, sometimes confusing, South African lawmaking process to empower each South African to be an active citizen.
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