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Free SA ready to take the fight to court if ‘unlawful’ National Minimum Wage increase is not withdrawn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 […]
Free SA Demands Immediate Withdrawal of ‘procedurally unlawful, irrational, and invalid’ Minimum Wage Hike
“If the Minister fails to act, Free SA will take legal action to challenge the decision and hold the government accountable.” — Reuben Coetzer, Spokesperson for Free SA Free SA has sent a formal letter of demand to the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the unlawful 4.2% […]
Free SA Welcomes Budget Postponement, Warns Against VAT Hike
Free SA welcomes the decision to postpone the national budget speech amid fierce opposition to a proposed VAT hike. This moment marks a critical shift in South African politics—proof that Parliament is no longer a rubber stamp for bad policies and that reckless tax increases will no longer be pushed through without consequence. The delay […]
Drop in SA Unemployment rate Welcomed, But Sustainable Solutions Must Focus on the Private Sector
South Africa’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for Q4 2024 shows a marginal decline in unemployment, with 132,000 more people employed and 20,000 fewer unemployed, bringing the official unemployment rate down from 32.1% to 31.9%. While Free SA welcomes any progress in tackling unemployment, this slight improvement does not change the fundamental crisis that […]
Public outcry over State Enterprises Bill: Free SA urges SAns to resist State Capture 2.0 during public participation process
The Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free SA) has registered its concerns regarding the proposed National State Enterprises Bill, which it suggests will usher in ‘state capture 2.0’. The organisation has submitted a detailed parliamentary submission (see attached) outlining the risks contained in the Bill as part of the public participation process which […]
US-South Africa Tensions: Economic Reform is the Only Viable Path, says Free SA
As South Africa once again finds itself entangled in the fallout of global political disputes—this time amid tensions involving US President Donald Trump, the ANC-led government, and lobby groups, the Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free SA) is urging the Government of National Unity (GNU) to abandon its failing economic ideology in favour […]
Free SA Responds to the 2025 State of the Nation Address: More Promises, No Real Reform
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) has once again reinforced a troubling reality: government is committed to repeating the same failed policies while ignoring the structural reforms necessary to rescue South Africa from economic stagnation, governance failures, and declining public trust. No Real Commitment to Local Government Accountability The announcement of […]