CONSTITUTIONAL COMMENTARY AND EVENTS
ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS
PRESIDENTIAL POWER TO REFER BILLS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT – A CASE STUDY OF THE REFERRAL OF THE COPYRIGHT AND PERFORMERS’ PROTECTION BILLS
Daniela Ellerbeck and Alfred Mahkuntsu outline presidential powers and the progress of the Copyright Amendment Bill and Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill.
FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION AWARDS DOCTOR JOHAN “RASSIE” ERASMUS WITH THE FW DE KLERK GOODWILL AWARD
The FW de Klerk Foundation takes great pleasure in announcing that Doctor Johan “Rassie” Erasmus, national coach of the Springbok team, will be the recipient of its 2024 FW de Klerk Goodwill Award.
CABINET SHUFFLE RAISES CONCERNS OVER JUSTICE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
Ismail Joosub explores the President’s decision to reassign Thembi Simelane from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to the Department of Human Settlements.
PODCASTS
SUBMISSIONS
ARTICLE: THE 2014 ELECTION
There are a few points that we should consider in the wake of last week’s election.
The first – and most positive – is that the fifth election of our new constitutional dispensation has helped to consolidate and entrench our constitutional democracy. The elections were free and fair and were, on the whole, managed in an exemplary fashion. All those involved – the 18.6 million voters who cast their ballots; the political parties that participated and the IEC – deserve our sincere congratulations.
ARTICLE: WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2014: STOPPING THE PRESSES?
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of a UNESCO General Conference.
Since then every 3rd of May is an anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek and is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. It is an opportunity to:
- Celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;
- Assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;
- Defend the media from attacks on their independence; and
- Pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
ARTICLE: WORKERS DAY
Workers Day – earlier this week – provided us with an opportunity to assess the state of employment and labour relations in our country.
The picture does not look good.
According to StatsSA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the 4th quarter of 2013 unemployment was at 24.1%. If one includes discouraged work-seekers the unemployment (expanded definition) rate jumps to 34%.
SPEECHES
EVENTS
A VISIT TO CHRISTEL HOUSE – “FROM CLASSROOM TO LIFE”
On 9 June 2025, a FW de Klerk Foundation delegation visited Christel House to learn more about the no-fee education they provide for learners.
A STATE THAT FEEDS ITSELF WHILE THE YOUTH GO HUNGRY
Ismail Joosub reviews the Budget 3.0 which holds a public sector wage bill that consumes nearly a third of all government spending and accounts for around 10,5% of South Africa’s GDP – and what this means for the youth.
YOUTH DAY MESSAGE
In honour of Youth Day, Ismail Joosub and Amirah Hassim, members the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Constitutional Advancement Programme, recognise the tremendous sacrifice made by the youth of 1976 in pursuit of freedom and the current issues faced by the youth in 2025.
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