Many South Africans across the country celebrated the Constitutional Court’s decision to decriminalise the private use of dagga. Last month, the Court confirmed that by making the private use of marijuana by adults a criminal offence, the law breached the constitutional right to privacy. In the euphoria that swept the nation after the ruling, many people misinterpreted or misunderstood just precisely what the judgement meant and what the legal parameters are. There are a few essential things you need to know about the legalisation of dagga in South Africa before lighting your next

With a fragile economy and many citizens living paycheque to paycheque, paying rent is a priority for most South Africans to ensure they have a roof over their heads. But in times of great financial strain, it’s often not possible or realistic for some to sacrifice a significant portion of their income to pay rent. And while the law is on the side of landlords to claim arrears and cancel lease agreements, it also protects tenants from illegal removals. The key, of course, is knowing your rights when facing an eviction.

It a source of frustration and irritation for many South Africans: an annoying marketing phone call from a “private number” trying to sell you an upgraded cell phone plan or insurance package. And even after declining the offer politely, a persistent agent forces you to hang up, leaving you to wonder how on earth they got your number in the first place. Well, this is the world of telemarketing, where companies make it their business to compile databases containing the personal information of hundreds and thousands of people. This information is

With recent release of the latest crime statistics in South Africa, which revealed that 56 people are murdered every day, it’s clear that criminal activity in the country is on the rise. And when it comes to the most feared crime, a survey showed that house burglaries or home invasions topped the list. According to Africa Check, in 2017/18, 228,094 house

The workplace can be an inspiring and fulfilling space, and bosses and managers can serve as influential mentors for employees who want to develop in their respective careers. However, there are also many instances of people in senior roles abusing their power, discriminating against and mistreating employees. Fortunately, South African labour laws offer protection, and as the Labour Relations Act points out “every employee has the right not to be subjected to an unfair labour practice.” What defines an unfair labour practice? Before an employee claims that they have been subjected to

The law is simply not doing enough for rape survivors in South Africa. According the 2016/2017 crime statistics, over 100 people are raped every day in our country, and that’s just based on the attacks that are reported. This means that the number of people being brutally violated adds up to tens of thousands every year. In general, violent crime in South Africa is rife and horrific, but the prevalence of sexual assault and violence has led to South Africa being dubbed “the rape capital of the world”. This is

Life can be unpredictable, and often circumstances outside of our control lead to unfortunate outcomes, such as being retrenched or being let go because of company restructuring, for instance. Naturally, many people literally cannot afford to be unemployed for an extended time, and with job scarcity on the rise, it is becoming more and more difficult to transition from one job to another. Being unemployed can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful. To help reduce the potentially devastating effects of not having an income, South Africa has an Unemployment Insurance Fund from

Across the globe, men, on average, are paid more than women in most industries and business sectors. And it comes as no surprise that South Africa, which is rife with inequality, is also guilty of not paying men and women equally. What does the pay gap currently look like? In 2017, the World Economic Forum compiled a report based on gender-based pay disparity in 144 countries worldwide. It focused specifically on four major sectors: health‚ economics‚ politics, and education. The report revealed that South African men make approximately R6600 more than women monthly.

Protests have long been a part of South Africa’s fabric: in the past, gatherings and demonstrations played a significant role in overthrowing the oppressive government; and currently, protests are effectively used to bring attention to issues such as service delivery and access to education, amongst others. South Africans’ right to take to the streets to march, demonstrate or present petitions is protected by the Constitution. This right is linked to other political rights, including freedom of expression and association (which means the right to associate with a cause, idea, or organisation).