CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION OPEN LETTER TO BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REGARDING SCHOOL PIT TOILET ERADICATION
The FW de Klerk Foundation thanks Minister Gwarube and the Department of Basic Education for their dedication to eradicating the presence of pit toilets in schools.
VERSION OF GILAB SIGNED INTO LAW – A SUCCESS STORY OF THE POWER OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The recently signed into law General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act is a success story of public participation.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION’S REFLECTIONS ON THE POST-GAUTENG BUDGET SPEECH BREAKFAST
Ismail Joosub, Manager of Constitutional Advancement, recently attended the Post-Gauteng Budget Speech Breakfast and assessed the investment priorities of the province.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
ARTICLE: MAGNA CARTA
800 years ago, on 15 June 1215, in a plashy meadow beside the River Thames in England, an event took place that would deeply affect the constitutional future – not only of the English people – but of countries throughout the world, including South Africa. On that day King John was forced by his barons to sign the Magna Carta – a document that introduced for the first time the notion that kings – and by extension governments – are ultimately subject to the Rule of Law.
ARTICLE: TYING MANDELA’S SHOELACES: NIËL BARNARD’S ACCOUNT OF THE SECRET REVOLUTION
Niël Barnard’s autobiography, Secret Revolution, provides an interesting insight into the secret negotiations between Nelson Mandela and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in 1988/89 that helped prepare the way to the constitutional transformation of South Africa.
Barnard tells us how he established the NIS despite the opposition of the state’s other intelligence agencies.
He also reveals the substantial role that NIS played in establishing secret ties with a number of African governments – often without the knowledge of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
ARTICLE: DO ONE THING FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ON 21 MAY
In 2002 the United Nations declared 21 May World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
SPEECHES
EVENTS
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS CONFERENCE ON “ACHIEVING AN INCLUSIVE ECONOMY”
The FW de Klerk Foundation, in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, hosted its Constitutional Rights Conference on “Achieving an Inclusive Economy” in Johannesburg on 24 July 2025.
TURNING A TRADE CRISIS INTO OPPORTUNITY
1 August 2025 is D-day for South Africa as a looming trade shock becomes reality: the United States is set to impose a punitive 30% tariff on South African exports. Ismail Joosub proposes how South Africa can recalibrate and cushion ourselves against such threats going forward.
ECONOMIC STAGNATION IN SOUTH AFRICA: HOW TO OVERCOME IT BY MOELETSI MBEKI
Moeletsi Mbeki recently presented at the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Constitutional Rights Conference at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre.
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