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

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

“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

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

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to end the South African Post Office’s (SAPO) monopoly over reserved postal services, labelling the current model as “outdated, dysfunctional, and economically unjustifiable.”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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

Free SA, the Foundation for the Rights of Expression and Equality, has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa today to urge him to repeal this harmful legislation. This follows their recent condemnation of President Ramaphosa for signing the Expropriation Act into law.  In the wake of the assent of this troublesome piece

The Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free SA), a non-profit organisation dedicated to upholding democratic principles and promoting civic engagement in legislative issues, has written a letter to the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, to raise serious concerns about the harms posed by the Basic Education Laws