Civil Society Calls on Chief Justice to Act Against Expanding Use of Gagging Orders

Twenty-three leading civil society and media organisations have written to Chief JusticeMandisa Maya to express grave concern over the recent gagging order imposed onOpen Secrets. These organisations must surmise what the contents of that order are Open Secrets isprohibited even from sharing the court order or discussing any details such as the dateit was granted,…

Media Advisory: Peaceful, United Protest over Johannesburg’s Water Crisis

Date: Saturday, 1 November 2025Location: Outside the Johannesburg Council Chambers Johannesburg residents, community organisations, and civil society groups will hold a peaceful protest on Saturday, 1 November 2025, outside the Johannesburg Council Chambers to demand urgent action on the city’s worsening water crisis. Non-political movement:Organisers have called on participants to refrain from wearing political party…

Civil society stands together to safeguard historic University of Fort Hare

Following the recent harrowing destruction and arson at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), over 30 organisations based in the Eastern Cape, and over 140 organisations and individuals across the country, have come together to reclaim andsafeguard this historic institution, and call for democratic values to be restored and upheld. These organisations and individuals are…

Pressure on Israel to free Marwan Barghouthi and all Palestinian political prisoners must be intensified

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation urges the South African government and members of the public to intensify the call for the immediate and unconditional release of Marwan Barghouthi and all Palestinian political prisoners. Recent reports indicate that Barghouthi (66) was beaten unconscious with several of his ribs broken while being transferred between two Israeli prisons. He…

Joburgers Stand Together for Water: United Call for Action Amid Deepening Citywide Crisis

Johannesburg, South Africa – United by frustration and a shared demand for justice, residents, community organisations, and civil society groups across Johannesburg have come together to demand urgent action to end the city’s worsening water crisis – a crisis they describe as a “human rights and economic emergency.” In a formal letter sent to Executive…