Press release: Mendelsohn case holds grave implications for UCT’s status as SA’s premier tertiary institution
On 23 and 24 October 2025 Prof Adam Mendelsohn’s review application against 2 UCT Council resolutions will be argued in the Western Cape High Court.
The basis for the challenge is that the adoption of the resolutions breached the principle of legality – they were not lawful, rational, nor taken in good faith. The one resolution requires UCT academia to boycott Israeli academia, and the other rejects the IHRA definition of antisemitism over a false interpretation of one of its terms.
The consequences on academic freedom, free speech and the financial security of UCT have already been compromised. The outcome of this case is truly significant.
News: Mkhwanazi asks parliament to conduct surveillance on journalists
During his testimony at the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee into his allegations about corruption in the police, Mkhwanazi called on parliament to request the surveillance of journalists and called for journalists who “get it wrong” to be jailed. Mkhwanazi must be regarded with considerable circumspection.
Media release: Statement by all of the Free Speech Unions about the tragic death of Charlie Kirk.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy. He devoted his life to arguing for what he believed in as eloquently as he could, always engaging with his political opponents in good faith and modelling the value of open and honest debate. Free speech cannot be allowed to die with Charlie. Now more than ever […]
News – Charlie Kirk, conservative free speech activist, murdered at a public speaking event
“Charlie Kirk murder is assault on free speech… what monster thinks young dad should die because they disagree with him?” So said Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union (UK), in response to the assassination of conservative free speech activist Charlie Kirk before a crowd of +3000 at a university gathering in Utah. It is a pivotal moment for those who believe that words alone are violence and therefore warrant a violent response. FSU SA supports FSU (UK)’s condemnation of killing someone whose very purpose was to promote debate. If we can’t debate society’s issues openly then democracy dies.
Newell, the SABC and the cowardice of silence
An SABC presenter has been removed from the broadcasting schedule at the SABC for challenging Mamphele Ramphele in an interview for likening the situation in Gaza to the Holocaust. The presenter’s job was to push back Ramphele for which she was pushed out. The SABC’s actions diminish the public’s trust in journalism to do the job required of it. The lack of support by the journalistic community makes things much worse.
“Julius Malema, a victim of hate speech. Seriously?” − Redux
Three judges of the High Court found that Julius Malema was the victim of hate speech by Kenny Kunene. Kunene repeatedly called him a “cockroach” after Malema managed to piss him off by being crass about his party. Kunene perhaps should have known that this was likely to happen and should have kept his cool. But being found guilty of hate speech is a stretch, to say the least
IRR declines National Convention invitation, says Parliament reflects “will of the people”
On 13 August the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) sent a letter to the declined an invitation (very recently) to participate in the National Dialogue. The IRR politely declined. The reasons are to be found in the attached news item in The Daily Friend (14/8/2025).
Muzzling free speech in Britain
The Online Safey Act in the UK came into force in late July 2025. Intended to protect children from pornography, self-harm and suicide, the Act has resulted in the shutting down of other subjects.
Free Speech Matters Episode 9: The National Dialogue – expensive and unnecessary
FSU SA’s Sara Gon and the IRR’s Terence Corrigan chat about President Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue. It’s a one day conference for the ANC to decide what sort of society South Africa should be. The guests are largely retired from public life and are partisan to the ANC. Everyone knows and has talked about what South Africa needs to be successful, so the ANC knows and either can’t or just won’t do it. What can come out of it that is valuable, relevant or necessary?
Free Speech Matters Episode 8: ‘Kill the Boer’ – the Constitutional Court won’t allow an appeal
Free Speech Union of South Africa’s Sara Gon interviews Advocate Mark Oppenheimer about the Constitutional Court’s rejection of AfriForum’s application to appeal the court decisions that “Kill the Boer” is not hate speech.