Free SA Responds to (Lack of) Job Stats
The Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free SA) expressed deep concern over the latest labour market figures released by Statistics South Africa, which show that the official unemployment rate has returned to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, with the total unemployed exactly where it was a year ago. The expanded unemployment […]
Power to the People: Free SA Tables Landmark Constitutional Amendment to Cut Waste, Open the Economy, and Decentralise Policing
Free SA has drafted its proposed Power to the People Constitutional Amendment Bill which is to be submitted to Parliament at the end of May. This is in response to Parliament’s call for proposed amendments to be submitted until 31 May 2025. Free SA is calling on all South Africans to support its bold, practical […]
Free SA’s Says There’s Very Little to Celebrate this Workers’ Day
“While politicians celebrate Workers’ Day with slogans, we at Free SA are asking a more serious question: where are the jobs?” Free SA spokesperson Reuben Coetzer. As South Africa marks Workers’ Day on 1 May, Free SA stands not with the elites in regalia or the podiums heavy with empty slogans, but with the 12.2 […]
On Freedom Day, Free SA Warns: South Africa’s Freedoms Are Under Siege
As South Africa commemorates Freedom Day this Sunday, Free SA urges the public to reflect not only on the progress made since 1994—but also on the freedoms we are now at risk of losing. While this day honours our hard-won democracy, civil liberties, and human rights, the reality in 2025 is sobering: an increasingly authoritarian […]
SAPO Monopoly Must End: Free SA Calls for Urgent Liberalisation of Postal Services
Free SA has submitted a formal appeal to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to end the South African Post Office’s (SAPO) monopoly over reserved postal services, labelling the current model as “outdated, dysfunctional, and economically unjustifiable.” The submission comes amid mounting evidence that SAPO is unable to fulfil its universal service obligations, despite decades of […]
Free SA Raises Alarm Over Dangerous Draft Regulations Threatening Private Security Sector
The civil rights organisation and public participation platform Free SA has issued a strong warning against proposed amendments to the Firearms Regulations under the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, calling the draft regulations “vague, unworkable, and a serious threat to public safety.” The organisation, which facilitates public participation in policymaking, reported that over 12 000 public […]
Voting Opens for Free SA Young Leaders Awards: Empowering South Africa’s Changemakers of Tomorrow
Free SA is proud to announce that public voting has officially opened for the inaugural Young Leaders Awards, a landmark initiative aimed at recognising and uplifting South Africa’s most inspiring young trailblazers. These awards honour exceptional young South Africans under the age of 35 who are making transformative contributions across five key areas: business, civil […]
Free SA Condemns Regressive Tax Measures in 2025 Budget and Calls for Transparent, People-Centred Fiscal Policy
That this budget was passed without the consensus of all coalition partners, reveals a worrying disregard for democratic collaboration and public accountability. The Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free SA) expressed deep concern over the regressive fiscal measures introduced in South Africa’s 2025 Budget, particularly the increase in Value-Added Tax (VAT), passed yesterday […]
Free SA Secures Victory for Public Participation as Government Withdraws Unlawful Hemp and CBD Food Ban
Civil society has claimed a significant victory for public participation and democratic accountability after the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, announced the withdrawal of contentious regulations banning the sale, importation, and manufacture of food products containing hemp and cannabis. The reversal comes in the wake of mounting pressure from Free SA and other stakeholders, […]
Free SA Calls for a Renewed Commitment to True Non-Racialism on Human Rights Day
As South Africa prepares to commemorate Human Rights Day, Free SA is calling for urgent action to uphold non-racialism as a foundational principle of the Constitution, rather than allowing it to be reduced to mere rhetoric. In its latest report, Non-Racialism: Empty Filler or Constitutional Cornerstone?, Free SA highlights how racial classification and race-based policies continue […]
