CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS SACROSANCT
The FW de Klerk Foundation discusses the pro-Palestine group’s disruption of a peace prayer gathering on November 12 at Sea Point promenade was unjustified and a clear violation of the prayer group’s constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful demonstration.
VOTER REGISTRATION – AN ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITE FOR A HEALTHY AND VIBRANT DEMOCRACY
The FW de Klerk Foundation supports the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in its campaign to mobilise South Africans to register for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections this weekend, 18 and 19 November.
2023 FW DE KLERK MEMORIAL LECTURE
I am very honoured to be asked to make a few comments at this second memorial lecture of FW de Klerk. I have been asked by Elita to do it, and I was asked by Dave Steward, FW’s close friend and associate, who is the chairman of the FW de Klerk Foundation in South Africa to make these remarks.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
ARTICLE: PRIVATE LIVES AND PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES
I have never, in my entire life, had even a puff of a cigarette. True, I did smoke a cigar 29 years ago when my son was born – but like Bill Clinton I did not inhale. Although I dislike smoking I am fairly tolerant of those who are addicted to tobacco (I have little choice since my wife enjoys the occasional cigarette). Nevertheless, I am happy that people may no longer smoke in planes, restaurants and other public places. I also believe that government should be commended for its vigorous anti-smoking campaign – which has cut smoking by 50% in the past 20 years.
ARTICLE: THE CHALLENGE OF DEMOCRACY IN DIVIDED SOCIETIES
The deepening turmoil in Egypt provides some sharp lessons on the potential pitfalls of winner‐takes-‐all democracy in deeply divided societies. Democracy is in essence a convention in terms of which competition for political power is resolved by elections - rather than by violence. Participants agree that the party or parties that win the election can form the government and rule the country for a prescribed period until the next election.
ARTICLE: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP 2013: A CULTURE OF PEACE
This year ‐ on 30 July - we celebrate International Day of Friendship. The day is based not only on the recognition of friendship in the general sense but also the relevance and importance that friendship is something more and noble, and embodies a valuable sentiment in the lives of human beings around the world.
SPEECHES
EVENTS
BELA BILL ORAL SUBMISSION TO PARLIAMENT
On 7 March, Ismail Joosub, the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Legal Officer, made an oral submission to Parliament on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (the BELA Bill).
GAS GOVERNANCE: FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION RAISES CONCERNS ON GAS AMENDMENT DRAFT BILL
The FW de Klerk Foundation has submitted detailed comments on the Gas Amendment Draft Bill to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
FW DE KLERK INAUGURATION SPEECH
SPEECH BY PRESIDENT FW DE KLERK FOLLOWING HIS INAUGURATION AS THE SECOND EXECUTIVE STATE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA 20 SEPTEMBER 1989 In my first public
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