When big business interests are put before public interest, good governance and our very democracy are at stake. [1] https://www.businessday.co.za/news/health/2026-06-25-mps-plan-to-soften-restrictions-on-vapes-harshest-penalties-in-draft-tobacco-bill/  [2] https://www.afro.who.int/countries/south-africa/news/who-supports-south-africas-draft-bill-control-tobacco-products-and-electronic-delivery-systems [3] https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-07-15-unpacking-the-defences-and-deflections-around-the-resolve-communications-controversy/

Jurisdiction of the HPCSA Questions may arise as to whether the HPCSA has jurisdiction where a registered practitioner is simultaneously serving in political office. We respectfully submit that it does. Professional registration carries ethical obligations that are not suspended by election or appointment to public office. The Council has previously exercised disciplinary jurisdiction over registered practitioners serving in political office, demonstrating that holding such office does not remove a practitioner from the ethical standards of the profession. While the factual circumstances of that matter differ from those raised here, the underlying principle is clear: political office does not exempt registered practitioners from professional accountability. Accordingly, this request concerns professional conduct, not parliamentary privilege or political opinion. Why tobacco control requires particular ethical vigilance This matter warrants particular attention because it concerns tobacco control. Unlike most areas of public policy, tobacco control is governed by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), an international treaty ratified by South Africa. Article 5.3 requires Parties to protect public health policies from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry, recognising the industry's long and well-documented history of misleading policymakers, funding favourable research, creating front groups and influencing public discourse. For this reason, transparency, independence and careful management of actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest are especially important whenever registered health professionals participate in tobacco-control policymaking. Why the present circumstances warrant consideration The present request arises from the public conduct of Dr Kgosi Letlape, a registered medical practitioner, former President of the HPCSA and current Member of Parliament serving on the Portfolio Committee considering the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. The combination of these roles is significant. His medical qualifications and former leadership of the HPCSA inevitably lend additional authority and credibility to his public statements concerning tobacco regulation. That authority carries corresponding ethical responsibilities. For 10 years, Dr Letlape spoke at the annual tobacco-industry-funded Global Tobacco Nicotine Forum[1]. In 2021, he admitted that he had been consulting with the tobacco industry [2]. That same year he was appointed Commissioner for a commission funded by the Philip Morris-funded Foundation for a Smoke-Free World [3]. Dr Letlape co-founded and currently presides over the African Harm Reduction Alliance, an alliance made possible by Health Diplomates, a consultancy working with British American Tobacco subsidiary Nicoventures. Health Diplomates funded the African Harm Reduction Alliance and manages its website. Just Managing Consulting, a grantee of the Philip Morris-funded Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, produced a report for the African Harm Reduction Alliance [4]. The CEO of the African Harm Reduction Alliance is Delon Human, a South African doctor who has collaborated with British American Tobacco [5]. These publicly documented relationships raise legitimate questions about transparency, professional independence and the management of actual or apparent conflicts of interest that warrant investigation. Publicly available information raises questions regarding: • the disclosure and management of actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest arising from reported associations with organisations linked to tobacco-industry funding;  • the timing and adequacy of disclosure of such interests during parliamentary deliberations affecting tobacco industry commercial interests;  • the accuracy and completeness of certain public statements concerning the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill; and  • whether public advocacy undertaken while invoking professional authority complied with the standards of integrity, scientific accuracy, transparency and independence expected of registered medical practitioners.  These questions are not raised to presume misconduct. Rather, they are presented because they appear sufficiently important to warrant independent consideration by the statutory body entrusted with regulating professional conduct. Our request We respectfully request that the HPCSA: 1. Undertake a preliminary assessment of the matters outlined in the accompanying evidence memorandum and determine whether a formal professional conduct investigation is warranted.  2. Clarify the ethical obligations of registered health professionals who participate in public policymaking while relying upon their professional qualifications and standing.  3. Provide guidance on disclosure and management of actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest involving commercial entities whose products are the subject of public health legislation.  4. Reaffirm the profession's commitment to scientific integrity, transparency, professional independence and protection of public trust.  Conclusion The issue before the Council extends beyond one practitioner or one piece of legislation. It concerns the standards expected whenever registered health professionals participate in shaping public policy. The precedent established in this matter will influence future engagement on tobacco control and many other commercial determinants of health, including alcohol, ultra-processed foods, pharmaceuticals and emerging technologies. South Africans rightly expect health professionals to place the interests of patients and the public above commercial interests. We respectfully submit that this is an appropriate opportunity for the HPCSA to reaffirm those principles and strengthen public confidence in the medical profession. Yours faithfully, National Council Against Smoking (NCAS), South Africa South African Tobacco-Free Youth Forum amandla.mobi

We have the right to be properly informed about developments in our backyard, and the right to say NO! We, the residents of the Western Cape, have not been informed about how our lives, livelihoods, and human rights will be impacted by the Equinix hyperscale data centre being proposed in the King Air Industria site and all other future data centre developments in the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape. From Housing Assembly and Foxglove  (Objectors to the Erf 178931 rezoning and amendment to basket of rights application made to the Municipal Planning Tribunal)  The Housing Assembly’s members are communities who live in informal settlements, backyard dwellings, temporary relocation areas, rental accommodation, and inadequately constructed RDP housing. Some members even live in Gugulethu right across the road from the proposed Equinix data centre. Our communities already do not have access to water and electricity as we can barely afford to pay the current electricity tariffs and can only access clean water from one tap within about a 100sqm radius. Why do we have to wait for affordable housing, water and electricity while the City of Cape Town approves developments that will not benefit our communities? How can we allow a development like this to be built in our backyard without being informed about how it will affect our livelihoods?  Foxglove is our partner in this challenge, given their experience gained by investigating the environmental, social and governance implications of hyperscale data centre development across the globe and now in South Africa.  Sign this petition if you support our cause and would like to put pressure on the City to adhere to our demands.

We all know the frustration of waiting 3/6 months to years for a diploma application, only to be rejected over a minor error like a missing stamp or date. This is not fair, and it is delaying our futures. Joining this campaign means:     Demanding fairness: No more rejections for small mistakes that could be confirmed through the evidence provided     Fighting delays: We want a maximum waiting period of 1–2 months, not 6 months to years     Building unity: Every province faces the same struggle. Together, our voices are strong     Holding DHET accountable

South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world. Everyday, thousands of survivors are living with the effects of GBV and these survivors are also part of the audience watching our films and television shows. So stories about gender-based violence are important. They can educate, raise awareness, challenge harmful beliefs and also encourage people to speak out, but there is a difference between telling an important story and showing graphic sexual violence in ways that are sometimes unnecessary or exploitative. Sometimes, our films and television series include long or graphic sexual assault scenes that add little to the story, and filmmakers have many other ways to show the seriousness of sexual violence without forcing audiences to watch the assault itself. Through strong acting, sound, editing and careful storytelling, they can communicate what happened while protecting the dignity of survivors. This campaign is not asking filmmakers to stop telling stories about gender-based violence, we understand that these stories matter and deserve to be told. Instead, we are asking the industry to think more carefully about how these stories are told, because sexual violence should never be used simply to shock audiences, create entertainment or develop a character. Recent public conversations on social media have shown us why this issue matters. The discussion surrounding allegations made during the production of Red Ink, involving actors Bonko Khoza and Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, sparked debate about how intimate scenes are filmed and whether enough is being done to protect actors and while the facts of that case remain disputed, it has reminded many South Africans that filming sexual violence comes with serious responsibilities. Survivors of sexual violence also deserve to be considered. Watching a graphic assault scene can be upsetting or retraumatising, especially when viewers are not given clear warnings about what they are about to see. Better content warnings and more thoughtful storytelling would allow people to make informed choices about what they watch. This campaign is about responsible storytelling, not censorship. We are not asking filmmakers to avoid difficult topics. We are asking them to tell these stories in ways that are ethical, respectful and survivor-centred. Our entertainment industry has the power to influence how society understands gender-based violence, and by reducing unnecessary graphic sexual assault scenes and adopting survivor-centred standards, filmmakers can continue telling powerful stories without turning trauma into entertainment. Survivors deserve to see their experiences treated with dignity, care and respect. Every film, every television series and every decision behind the camera shapes how millions of people understand sexual violence. If we stay silent, nothing changes. If we speak up today, we can encourage an industry to tell these important stories with dignity instead of exploitation. Survivors deserve to see their experiences treated with care, respect and humanity, not used as entertainment. You have the power to change how these stories are shown. Sign this petition and help us call on South Africa's film and television industry to adopt more responsible, survivor-centred standards for portraying sexual violence. Together, we can show that powerful storytelling never has to come at the expense of human dignity.

Right now, Treasury is considering how to tax alcohol for the next 10 years. This will mean increased taxes to reduce consumption and harm from alcohol. But the alcohol industry is fighting back to protect its profits. If enough of us come together, we can send Treasury a clear message that they must put people before profit.   Alcohol causes harm in so many ways. From fueling violence to clouding people’s judgment so much that they end up drinking and then driving or committing crimes. Alcohol misuse burdens our public health system, diverts police and traffic enforcement resources,  and increases social welfare costs.   Alcohol tax can be used to help fix the damage that alcohol causes. This means that more money can be put in the public services purse to help deal with the harm that alcohol causes.   That extra Fund tax can be used for: 1.  Jobs and for community programmes - We have a high unemployment rate as a country; our youth are idle, with nothing to do in their communities because community programmes are scarce. The tax collected can not only create jobs but also fund community, sports and recreational programmes that young people can engage in instead of drinking.  2. Treatment centres - There aren’t enough public rehabilitation centres in this country to match the level of alcohol use that happens. Even when people want to stop drinking, there are simply not enough places they can go to for support. We need to build more treatment centres, and the tax can be used for this. Let us come together to save our communities from the harm that is caused by alcohol.  Let us come together to save our communities from the harm that is caused by alcohol. 

Carotone has been scientifically proven to have high levels of a dangerous ingredient called hydroquinone [2]. Yet Takealot hosts it on its platform for people to buy. Many people don’t question the quality of the products they buy on the Takealot website because of how it markets itself. Carotone has been banned in the UK, US and other countries [3], but in South Africa, it is paraded online even though it's not safe to sell it to people without a prescription. Takealot must remove Carotone as soon as possible and ensure that all products listed on its platform are safe and legal to sell. We cannot allow Takealot to profit at the expense of people’s health. Judging by reviews dating back to 2022, it's clear that Carotone cream has been sold on Takealot for years, meaning they have been getting away with it for far too long. Some media houses have been blowing the whistle on the sale of harmful products on platforms like Takealot [1], yet nothing has changed. But we can stop this by signing this petition and ensuring that Takealot sells products that are vetted, legal and not harmful to people. [1]  Skin-lightening whitewash: Global and domestic bans of cosmetics containing mercury prove to  be skin-deep, by Tony Carnie for Daily Maverick, 15 February 2021 [2] FDA Warns Consumers of Skin Products Containing Mercury and/or Hydroquinone by U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 06 January 2026. [3] Product Safety Report: Carotone Clarifying Cream (2501-0012g) by the UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards, 14 February 2025.

Why Your Voice Matters Violence against women and girls remains one of the greatest human rights challenges facing Africa. Every woman and girl deserves to live free from violence, discrimination and fear. Laws that affect millions of women and girls should be built through transparency, participation and careful scrutiny. They should strengthen the protections that African women have already fought for, not create uncertainty or weaken existing rights. That is why African women have spent decades fighting for stronger laws and greater protection. African women deserve the strongest possible legal protections against violence. Good laws are built through dialogue, accountability and public participation.  Taking time to improve this Convention is not delaying justice; it is helping to ensure that justice is stronger, more effective and more enduring for future generations. By signing this petition, you are calling for a better Convention, a more transparent process and a stronger future for the rights of women and girls across Africa. Our Message  Pause. Listen. Strengthen the Convention. Then Ratify.  #PauseForPurpose  Learn more: https://aucevawg.org  

Right now, millions of young South Africans are locked out of opportunity simply because they cannot afford data. The problem: Data poverty = Job poverty  In South Africa, 1GB of data costs more than a loaf of bread. For unemployed youth in townships and rural wards like Thabazimbi, this means choosing between buying food or applying for a job online. 62% of South Africans say they cannot afford enough data to look for work. Government and companies now post 90% of jobs online. But if you don’t have Wi-Fi or data, you will never see them. At the same time, many people in our communities still rely on word-of-mouth and community notices for information. A physical job board brings opportunity directly to the people. The impact: This will change lives in every ward   1.  Jobs: Free Wi-Fi means a young person can apply for 10 jobs in a day instead of 1. Job boards mean even people without smartphones can see EPWP, municipal, and local business vacancies. 2.  Education: Learners and students can do research, submit assignments, and apply for NSFAS and bursaries without spending their grant money on data. 3.  Access to services: People can access SASSA, Home Affairs, and health information online for free. 4.  Small businesses: Spaza owners and street vendors can do online banking, marketing, and orders without data costs eating into their profit. This is about dignity and equality. Right now, opportunity only exists for people who can afford data. That is unfair.

The government will soon make a decision on the BIG policy, and we have a chance to act! We’ve already got the ANC over the line for saying they commit to a livable, dignified income for all – now we need to hold them to account until their promise is a reality.

Thousands of South Africans enrolled in the War on Leaks Programme to gain skills that would help protect our country's water resources and improve local service delivery. Many graduates successfully completed their training and are ready to contribute, yet a significant number say they have not had access to practical workplace opportunities or employment related to the programme. At the same time, many communities continue to experience water leaks, ageing infrastructure and water losses. This petition calls on the Minister of Water and Sanitation, the CEO of Rand Water and Municipal Managers to engage with War on Leaks graduates, review the programme's employment outcomes and strengthen pathways to practical experience and suitable employment opportunities. We believe that trained graduates are a valuable resource that can support municipalities and water institutions in addressing water infrastructure challenges. By signing this petition, you are supporting a call for accountability, dialogue and practical solutions. Public support can encourage decision-makers to meet with graduates, consider the concerns that have been raised and explore fair, transparent opportunities for qualified participants to contribute their skills where they are needed. Together, we can advocate for stronger water services, better use of trained skills and meaningful opportunities for War on Leaks graduates. Fix the Leaks. Create the Jobs. Build the Future.

Join this campaign because the proposed MyCiTi monthly pass increase from R1 000 to R1 500 will place an unfair burden on workers, learners, parents and low-income commuters who rely on public transport every day. For many families, an extra R500 per month is not a small increase — it can mean less money for food, electricity, school needs and other basic household expenses. Public transport is not a luxury. It connects people to work, school, clinics, government services and economic opportunities. When public transport becomes unaffordable, it pushes working-class communities further away from opportunity and deepens inequality. That is why commuters and communities must stand together and say clearly: R1 500 is too much. By signing and sharing this petition, we can build public pressure on the City of Cape Town, the Mayor, the MMC for Urban Mobility and City Council to take this issue seriously. Decision-makers are more likely to act when they see that the public is organised, united and speaking with one voice. This petition is therefore a tool to force the City to consider our demands: suspend the increase, review the fare structure, engage affected communities, and introduce affordable commuter relief for workers, learners and low-income passengers. The more people sign, the stronger our collective voice becomes.