CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
LESSONS FROM THE 2026 GTAC CONFERENCE
The 2026 GTAC Public Economics Conference highlighted a central truth: South Africa’s employment crisis cannot be solved by training people for jobs that do not exist. Sustainable progress requires evidence-based policy, smarter public spending and greater support for the informal, township and rural economies where millions already earn their livelihoods. Ultimately, the Constitution demands a state that protects dignity, removes barriers to opportunity and measures success by real outcomes rather than the number of programmes funded.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION ON WITHHOLDING OF MUNICIPAL TRANSFERS
The FW de Klerk Foundation notes National Treasury’s decision to withhold transfers to non-compliant municipalities and Parliament’s call for their urgent compliance. These developments confirm what has become crystal clear: Many municipalities across South Africa faces a deep and persistent governance crisis.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PARLIAMENT’S CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND FASTER ACTION ON SCHOOL SANITATION
The FW de Klerk Foundation notes with concern Parliament’s Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries’ criticism about the Department of Basic Education’s communication on school sanitation. The Foundation shares Parliament’s concern that government must present an accurate picture of the challenges that remain. Parliament’s oversight visits to schools in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West found that many learners still use unsafe toilets and attend schools without reliable water. No child should face these conditions.
PODCASTS
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: ELECTORAL REFORM PODCAST #3
2 April 2025 @ All Day. –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, Daniela Ellerbeck, Shanees Nkandu and Sonia Twongyeirwe, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Constitutional Rights Programme team, are joined by Prof Theo Venter and Christo van der Rheede to discuss different electoral systems, the issues with each system and South Africa’s need, current solutions and challenges.
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: ELECTORAL REFORM PODCAST #2
29 November 2024 – 30 November 2024 @ All Day. –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, Daniela Ellerbeck, Ismail Joosub, as well as Alfred Sibusiso Mahkuntsu of the FW de Klerk Foundation are joined by esteemed guests Mmusi Aloysias Maimane (Leader of Build One South Africa, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Appropriations and the previous Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly) and Michael Atkins (Election Analyst, Author of Expert Reports which challenge the Electoral Amendment Act and an Advocate of accurate and transparent processes during elections) to discuss electoral reform.
THE CONSTITUTION@WORK PRESENTS: ELECTORAL REFORM PODCAST #1
6 December 2024 @ All Day. –
In this episode of The Constitution@Work, Daniela Ellerbeck, the FW de Klerk Foundation Constitutional Rights Programme Manager, is joined by acclaimed guests Michael Louis (Attorney, CEO of the Louis Group and Chairman of both One South Africa Movement and the Independent Candidate Association South Africa), Jan Gerber (News24 Parliamentary Journalist) and RW Johnson (Political Scientist, Lecturer at Oxford University and the Director of the Helen Suzman Foundation) to discuss electoral reform.
SUBMISSIONS
SUBMISSION ON NOTICE TO INTRODUCE CONSTITUTION TWENTY-SECOND AMENDMENT BILL (PMB BY BREYTENBACH, DA MP)
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the notice to introduce Constitution Twenty-Second Amendment Bill by Honourable Adv Glynnis Breytenbach of the DA Party.
SUBMISSION ON CONSTITUTION 22ND AMENDMENT BILL (PMB BY MANYI, MK MP)
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission regarding the proposed Constitution Twenty-Second Amendment Bill by Honourable Mzwanele Manyi of the MK Party.
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.
SPEECHES
AFRIKAANS: SECOND NATIONAL LANGUAGE CONFERENCE
TOESPRAAK OP 23 FEBRUARIE DEUR MNR F W DE KLERK BY DIE NASIONALE FORUM VIR AFRIKAANS SE TWEEDE NASIONALE TAALBERAAD Die oorkoepelende tema van
THE STATE OF AFRIKAANS IN 2007
TOESPRAAK OP 23 FEBRUARIE DEUR MNR F W DE KLERK BY DIE NASIONALE FORUM VIR AFRIKAANS SE TWEEDE NASIONALE TAALBERAAD Die oorkoepelende tema van hierdie
THE GLOBAL FORUM FOR NEW DEMOCRACIES
REMARKS BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE INITIATING MEETING OF THE GLOBAL FORUM ON NEW DEMOCRACIES, TAIPEI 26
EVENTS
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.
SUBMISSION DRAFT ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT COUNTERING DISINFORMATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s submission on draft Electoral Code of Conduct countering Disinformation in Local Government Elections.
THE 2026 CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS CONFERENCE PHOTO GALLERY
The FW de Klerk Foundation, in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, hosted the Constitutional Rights Conference in Rosebank, Johannesburg on the 29th of July 2026. The core focus was on achieving successful municipal service delivery, bringing together leaders from government and civil society in local government.
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