The University of Cape Town (UCT) recently issued a draft “Inclusivity policy for Sexual Orientation”, which is likely to set the trend for other universities and colleges (and potentially also, schools) in South Africa on the issue of human sexuality and gender identity. While the policy is presented as an […]
Author: Adv Nadene Badenhorst
Participating in global battle for life, family and honour
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to participate and represent South Africa at the Global Convention on Life, Family and Honour in Seoul, South Korea. The Convention, which was convened and financially covered by the Body of Christ in South Korea, brought together Christian advocates from around the world […]
Parliament to consider compulsory licensing of pastors, churches in June
The CRL Rights Commission has indicated that its final report on the “Commercialisation of Religion and Abuse of People’s Belief Systems”, which recommends broad-scale regulation of religion in South Africa, will be presented to parliament in June. At this stage the presentation to parliament will have no immediate legal effect. […]
Free to say ‘gay is not okay’?
John Qwelane’s case is an important one for freedom of speech writes Advocate Nadene Badenhorst in this special report on the issues and implications of this high-profile hate speech hearing. After many years, the controversial case of Qwelane v Minister for Justice & Others finally came before the Johannesburg High […]
Say “no” to regulation of religion before February 28!
In October 2016, the CRL Rights Commission released its Report on the “commercialisation” of religion and abuse of people’s belief systems. The Report recommends the broad-scale regulation of religion in South Africa, including the compulsory registration and licensing (depending on doctrine) of all religious institutions and religious practitioners. The deadline […]
Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill fraught with problems
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development recently released the long-awaited and very controversial Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill. (The Bill is available for download at http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/invitations/invites.htm). In essence, the bill creates two new criminal offences in South African law, namely “hate crimes” and “hate […]
Freedom of religion and speech facing one of greatest threats yet!
See Opinion by Ron Steele This week has seen the State proposing two pieces of legislation which arguably pose one of the greatest threats to religious freedom (including the autonomy of the Church to govern her own affairs) and free speech in South Africa yet! If we do not take […]
CRL report on regulation of religion delayed
In last week’s Gateway News, we reported on the recent meeting with religious and traditional leaders to discuss the outcome of the CRL Rights Commission’s investigation into the ‘commercialisation’ of religion and abuse of people’s belief systems, and in particular the Commission’s proposed regulation of religion. At the meeting, the […]
CRL Commission moves quickly to regulate religion in South Africa
On Tuesday (October 11), Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) joined 50+ religious and traditional leaders invited to a meeting at the CRL Rights Commission, to discuss the Commission’s findings and recommendations following its recent controversial investigation into the “commercialisation” of religion and abuse of people’s belief systems in […]
Church appeals SAHRC’s Report on spanking in the home
On Wednesday, March 30, Joshua Generation Church delivered its appeal against the findings and recommendations of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in ‘the spanking case’, to the SAHRC. The Church’s appeal follows a finding by the SAHRC in January 2016, that spanking in the home violates children’s and […]