Protecting the Public Interest in South Africa
Students from the University of the Witwatersrand protest over tuition fees in April 2021 after thousands were denied registration because of outstanding fees. Photo by: Edward Molopi, SERI
Public Interest Legal Services include litigation, advocacy and other methods employed by public interest legal organisations to effect change and make a positive impact on lives of vulnerable and marginalised people in South Africa.
This site is a space to find public interest legal organisations, learn about the methods they use to bring about social change, and follow the impact that these organisations have made in South Africa.
Featured Issue: Social Security
Section 27(1)(c) of the Constitution provides for the right to social security: “Everyone has the right to have access to social security, including, if they are unable to support themselves and their dependents, appropriate social assistance.”
Activists picket outside the National Department of Social Development offices in Pretoria in April 2021 calling for the extension and increase of the Social Relief of Distress Grant. Archive photo: Masego Mafata, GroundUp (CC BY-ND 4.0)
NEW SECTOR RESEARCH
Two new research reports in the PILS sector have recently been released
- Social Justice Sector Review Report: Critical Reflections on the Social Justice Sector in the Post-Apartheid Era
- Public Interest Law Organisations in South Africa: Models, Impact and Sustainability
Latest News
5
Nov
The short answer It’s illegal for an employer to deduct UIF and not pay it over. Report this to the Labour department or the CCMA....
4
Nov
The grant has reduced child hunger, but 1.2-million more children are short of food than in 2019 By Marecia Damons The Child Support Grant reaches over...
4
Nov
Human dignity has no nationality, says Judge Adams By Tania Broughton Judge Leicester Adams has granted an interdict against anti-immigrant group Operation Dudula. Members of Operation...
4
Nov
The short answer You qualify for permanent residence in terms of section 26 (a) of the Immigration Act, you can apply at Home Affairs, though...
17
Sep
The short answer Generally you can only apply for citizenship through naturalisation if you’ve only lived in South Africa until you were 18, but you...
6
Sep
I tried to register my son a month after he turned 18 for an SRD grant but the website says his ID and grant is already active....
More news
PILS Organisations - An Interactive Map
The interactive map below introduces a range of public interest legal service organisations in South Africa. Click on the menu to the left to zoom in on social justice organisations and the community advice offices in each province, or use the search to find organisations.
Click on the top-left icon on the map to expand it to full-screen, and press escape to exit full-screen.