CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
THE FOUNDATION CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE JUDICIARY
The rule of law is one of the Constitution’s founding values. It is accordingly most disturbing to learn that one-third of magistrates were threatened or harmed in 2021/2022.
THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE MUST BE HEARD: THE NECESSITY OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN LAW-MAKING
While South Africa is meant to be a participatory democracy, recent events have highlighted concerns about Parliament listening to the people.
CONSTITUTIONAL CROSSFIRE: LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS DURING 2023
During 2023, Parliament considered a mix of positive legislation and legislation that falls seriously short of constitutional standards.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
ARTICLE: CONFUSING RACIAL PREJUDICE WITH LANGUAGE RIGHTS
Remarks made by Prof Jonathan Jansen – Rector of the University of the Free State – in the Percy Baneshik Memorial Lecture to the English Academy of South Africa on 18 September, have caused a furore in Afrikaans cultural and educational circles. They have been widely interpreted as a call for English-only education and as a claim that “Afrikaans-exclusive or even Afrikaans-dominant white schools and universities represent a serious threat to race relations in South Africa”.
ARTICLE: HERITAGE AFTER HERITAGE DAY 2013: CULTURAL TACTLESSNESS
The recent statements made by Arts and Culture Minister, Paul Mashatile, as well as Pretoria/Tshwane executive mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa – only three days after South Africa celebrated Heritage Day – raise questions regarding their commitment to the Preamble of the Constitution to “heal the divisions of the past” and that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity”.
ARTICLE: HERITAGE DAY 2013: NOT JUST ANOTHER WALK (BRAAI) IN THE PARK?
One of the most important aspects recognised in the Constitution of South Africa, is the importance of our collective heritage and the rich cultural, linguistic and historical diversity of our people.
This includes the heritage of all our peoples – from the first nations of South Africa – the KhoiKhoi, Nama and San; our indigenous African peoples – the Zulus, Xhosas, Ndebeles and Swazis; the Tswana, Pedi and South Sotho, Tsonga and Venda; white South Africans descended from the Dutch, English, German and French settlers; our extended coloured community; to the Asians who arrived from the Dutch East Indies in the 17th and 18th centuries, and from India during the 19th century.
SPEECHES
EVENTS
THE MULTIPARTY NEGOTIATING FORUM
THE MULTIPARTY NEGOTIATING FORUM The new negotiating process comprised 26 parties with significant support and 11 organisations with observer status. It included a Negotiating Forum,
THE RESUMPTION OF NEGOTIATIONS
THE RESUMPTION OF NEGOTIATIONS The formal negotiating process was resumed in March, 1993, following extensive consultations with all the parties involved. On 5 – 6
PRESIDENT DE KLERK’S RESPONSE TO LT-GEN STEYN’S FINDINGS
PRESIDENT DE KLERK’S RESPONSE TO LT-GEN STEYN’S FINDINGS On 18 November 1992, in pursuance of Mr Justice Goldstone’s statement of 16 November, I gave
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