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The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party's (“MKP”) urgent application for an interdict to prevent Parliament’s first sitting tomorrow.

“The Constitution demands that Parliament must have its first sitting within two weeks of the IEC announcing the election results (on Sunday, 2 June 2024). The Chief Justice determined this sitting will take place tomorrow, Friday, 14 June 2024. No political party should be allowed to prevent these constitutional imperatives from being carried out,” said Daniela Ellerbeck, Constitutional Programmes Manager at the FW de Klerk Foundation. “Parliament governs on our behalf as citizens. We and our democracy should not be held ransom by political parties. It is imperative that the sitting continues,” Ellerbeck states.

“Parliament needs to elect a President tomorrow. South Africa’s government and people should not be held hostage by any amount of political intimidation,” concurs Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director of the Foundation. “The time has come for political parties, across the spectrum, to put South Africa first.”

The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the news that a Government of National Unity is taking shape. It is encouraged that the ANC has held strong on the point that the parties it goes into coalition with must respect the Constitution and its founding values. The Foundation has continuously called for the new government to consist of political parties loyal to the Constitution. (I.e. A Government of Constitutional Unity.)

“This is because the Constitution allows for political parties to embrace a shared vision of a vibrant, prosperous, unified South Africa. It allows the new government to build on our human rights culture of non-racialism, non-sexism, human dignity, equality and freedom. Fostering unity amongst South Africans versus sowing division. From this vision, clear key priorities, that should be common ground to all, can emerge,” van der Rheede expands.

Issued by FW de Klerk Foundation