Socio-economic rights

Article One aims to host a series of nine education workshops bringing together activists, lawyers and experts to reflect on three decades of defending and advancing constitutional rights. Through three themed workshop series – A Queer Constitution; A deep sense of dismay: The Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry; and Derailed: PRASA and criminal networks in the State – the programme will explore key justice struggles, landmark court cases, legal submissions, and the evolution from the negotiation of the Interim Constitution to the use and current limits of Judicial Commissions of Inquiry in ensuring public accountability. These workshops aim to deepen practical knowledge of constitutional law, strengthen campaigns to realise fundamental rights, resist attacks on the constitutional order, and critically assess both victories and setbacks in the pursuit of justice. Zackie Achmat will moderate the panels as a part of his work on justice, equality and freedom since 1994.

The South African Bail Fund Trust is a non-governmental organisation aiming to address the unacceptably high number of remand detainees who are incarcerated pending trial on non-violent offences merely because they are unable to afford to post bail. These are individuals who have been judicially assessed as fit for release pending trial, but cannot raise the money necessary to secure their release.

Black Sash works towards the realisation of socio-economic rights that reduce poverty and inequality, with an emphasis on social security and social protection for the most vulnerable, particularly women, youth and children. To this end, strong, vibrant and active civic engagement is promoted, made possible by enabling organisations of civil society that include community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations coalitions and movements.

Public Interest Practice (PIP) prepared a curated database of key judgments advancing constitutional rights in South Africa from April 1994 – March 2026. PIP is in the process of preparing an online database of legislation that makes real the constitutional rights of socially and economically vulnerable people living in South Africa. It will be a comprehensive, user-friendly compilation of legislation enabling the realisation of constitutional rights, as a follow-up to the existing database of constitutional judgments. The new resource aims to support legal practitioners, advice offices, researchers, journalists, and activists by providing clear, accessible summaries of key statutes related to rights such as housing, land, social security, education, health, food, water, and a clean environment.

Gun Free South Africa (GFSA) is committed to reducing gun violence through public policy advocacy, education, awareness and community mobilisation.

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) was launched in 2000 in the wake of the public hearings of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Today, the IJR works towards its broadened vision of building fair, inclusive, democratic and peaceful societies in Africa, and increasingly further abroad, by designing relevant and carefully crafted interventions that combine research, dialogue, capacity-building, advocacy, policy advice and implementation support. We pursue this vision at the global, continental, regional and national levels.

The Justice and Activism Hub is a change tank for a time of change. We are committed to strengthening social justice struggles through connection, collaboration, coordination, convening and catalysing.

Land and Accountability Research Centre (LARC) is based in the University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Law. LARC forms part of a collaborative network, constituted as the Alliance for Rural Democracy, which provides strategic support to struggles for the recognition and protection of rights and living customary law in the former homeland areas of South Africa. LARC is particularly interested in the ways in which laws and policies frame power relations within these areas and threaten ongoing initiatives for democratic change and accountability at the local level.

Legal Resources Centre (LRC) takes informed, purposeful action to promote the transformation of South Africa into a democratic, accountable, and transparent society. Using the law as a tool, the LRC works to dismantle structural barriers to justice, dignity, and human rights, ensuring equitable and inclusive access for all.

Phuhlisani strives to assist rural citizens to secure their rights and facilitate engagement to combat poverty, landlessness and tenure insecurity. Phuhlisani is partnering with the Land and Accountability Research Centre (LARC) and the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) in a collaborative programme to strengthen land rights and land administration.

The Alliance for Rural Democracy (ARD) is a collective of civil society organisations and community groupings championing rural democracy and restorative land justice. The ARD works to challenge undemocratic practices and discriminatory laws through on the ground campaigns; test law reform through cases brought; and capacity building initiatives for rural communities and activists; participatory research and other related policy work.

The Scalabrini Centre strives to make a meaningful contribution to the cultivation of a welcoming South Africa where the rights of people on the move are realised. They envisage themselves as a key stakeholder, working with key partners, that takes action that protects and advances the rights of people on the move across the country and holds government institutions to account, whilst promoting the agency of people on the move.

SECTION27 addresses access to quality health care services by tackling the structural issues that hinder the health system’s ability to realise the right to access health care services; targeting health rights violations that impact the most vulnerable groups; and holding relevant role-players to account. The SRHR project focuses on the sexual and reproductive health rights of women, including access to abortion.

The Racial Justice calendar is an educational resource capturing key moments in the country’s journey towards racial justice, freedom, and democracy. Through daily historical milestones, the calendar offers a clear and accessible way to engage with the past and reflect on the ongoing work of building a non-racial society.

WeThePeopleSA promotes knowledge and understanding of the Constitution, its making and its impact on society. They aim to advance constitutional education through various projects, including Saturday School Constitutional Literacy Workshops for high school learners.