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to end the South African Post Office’s (SAPO) monopoly over reserved postal services, labelling the current model as “outdated, dysfunctional, and economically unjustifiable.”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 […]
Free SA ready to take the fight to court if ‘unlawful’ National Minimum Wage increase is not withdrawn
The Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free SA) has taken legal action against the Minister of Employment and Labour, Hon. Nomakhosazana Meth, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the unlawful 4.2% increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The wage hike, gazetted on 4 February 2025, was implemented without public consultation, parliamentary oversight, or […]
President Ramaphosa Must Make Drastic Cuts to Cabinet to Improve Governance and Slash Costs, says Free SA
Free SA has officially delivered a proposal to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa, calling for a significant reduction of the country’s bloated cabinet from 77 to just 26 executive members. The current cabinet structure—one of the largest and most expensive in the world—costs taxpayers over R1 billion annually in salaries, […]
Government’s Ban on Hemp and CBD in Food Challenged: Free SA Demands Transparency and Public Consultation
Civil rights organisation Free SA has formally demanded answers from the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, regarding the recently published Regulations Relating to the Prohibition of the Sale, Importation and Manufacture of Foodstuffs Containing Any Part of the Plant or Component Derived from the Genus Cannabis Sativa L, Hemp, Hemp Seed Oil or Hemp Seed Flour (Government Gazette […]