FAQ's

FOR SA is a non-profit legal advocacy organisation that works to protect and promote the right to religious freedom as guaranteed by the South African Constitution.

FOR SA engages in legal advocacy, public representation, education, and awareness initiatives to defend religious freedom rights. This includes work before Government, Parliament, Chapter 9 institutions, the courts, and in the media. Read more about what we do here.

FOR SA is faith neutral. While many matters involve Christian institutions and many leadership members profess the Christian faith, FOR SA does not promote any specific faith, doctrine, or belief system. Its focus is on protecting the constitutional right to religious freedom for all.

FOR SA is not a faith-based organisation. As a legal advocacy organisation standing for the principle of religious freedom, we are faith and doctrinally neutral. We, therefore, work to protect everyone’s constitutional right to religious freedom and the rights of all religious communities (of whatever faith persuasion) in South Africa. This is important because if the right to religious freedom is limited for one faith, it is limited for all faiths. What applies to the one must equally apply to the others.

FOR SA is registered with the CIPC as a non-profit company (NPC), under a Memorandum of Incorporation. FOR SA is also registered with SARS as a public benefit organisation (PBO) with Section 18A status, which allows us to issue Section 18A certificates to both individual and corporate donors for donations made to FOR SA. This certificate, in turn, entitles donors to certain tax deductions.

No. FOR SA is politically neutral and does not support or oppose any political party. It engages with any party or movement willing to uphold religious freedom rights.

Religious freedom is primarily protected under Section 15 of the South African Constitution, as well as related rights in sections on equality, dignity, expression, association, education, and cultural and religious community rights.

No. While legal action is sometimes necessary, FOR SA works proactively through submissions, policy engagement, education, public awareness campaigns, and support for democratic participation.

If your religious rights are threatened, contact FOR SA by completing this form on our website. We will guide you in the right direction, which may include referring you to attorneys who specialise in religious freedom law and can assist with legal proceedings. Additionally, we may be able to help you engage with the media if needed.

FOR SA makes formal submissions, representations, and presentations on proposed laws and policies that may impact religious freedom, and participates in public consultation processes.

Education is central to FOR SA’s mission. The organisation equips faith communities and the public with knowledge about their legal rights and responsibilities, empowering them to respond appropriately to challenges.

Religious freedom is foundational to a healthy democracy. It protects diversity, human dignity, and peaceful coexistence, and ensures that individuals and communities can live according to their convictions without fear or coercion.

You can support FOR SA by staying informed, engaging in public participation processes, sharing educational resources, and contributing financially to help sustain its work.

Yes. FOR SA believes it is essential for the public to understand the times in which we live and to be informed about religious freedom in South Africa, as well as the role individuals and communities play in safeguarding constitutional rights. FOR SA is available to speak at meetings or events at no cost. However, a donation or honorarium is encouraged to help support and sustain this work. Invite us to speak here.

FOR SA represents a broad range of individuals, faith communities, religious institutions, and organisations across various beliefs, including those with no faith. To date, religious leaders and organisations representing approximately 6 million people from a diverse range of churches, denominations, and faith groups have given FOR SA a general mandate to represent them on religious freedom matters. This number can vary depending on the specific issue at hand. For example, during the issue of COVID-19 lockdown regulations and their impact on the religious community, FOR SA was mandated by religious leaders and organisations representing 18.5 million people to represent them in our engagements with Government.

FOR SA is the only organisation in South Africa that has the single-minded focus of protecting and promoting religious freedom in South Africa. That said, in certain instances, there may be overlap with the work of other organisations that typically protect and promote family and community values, and/or collaboration with one or more of those organisations on issues of mutual interest. However, FOR SA’s mandate remains a narrow one – namely to protect and promote the right to religious freedom and the rights of religious communities in South Africa.

No, FOR SA is not a registered law firm and does not provide legal services. As a legal advocacy organisation focused on religious freedom, we offer the religious community in South Africa information about their constitutional rights, potential threats to these rights (such as draft legislation, regulations, policies, or court cases), and possible actions to address these issues.

Religious freedom includes the right to believe, practise, express, teach, and live according to one’s faith or beliefs, as well as the right not to believe. It also includes the freedom of religious communities to manage their own internal affairs.

Section 15 of the South African Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of conscience, religion, belief, and opinion, commonly referred to as “freedom of religion and belief.”

This fundamental human right protects not only the freedom to hold beliefs but also the right to express and live out those beliefs without fear of punishment or persecution by the State or others. The Constitutional Court has reaffirmed this right, emphasising that it includes the freedom to say what you believe and to live according to those beliefs.

Section 16 of the Constitution protects the right to freedom of expression, including religious expression. However, this right does not extend to speech that promotes war, encourages violence, or advocates hatred based on certain prohibited grounds (such as race, religion, or ethnicity) if it incites harm. This is what is referred to as “hate speech.”

This fundamental human right protects not only the freedom to hold beliefs but also the right to express and live out those beliefs without fear of punishment or persecution by the State or others. The Constitutional Court has reaffirmed this right, emphasising that it includes the freedom to say what you believe and to live according to those beliefs.

No, FOR SA is absolutely not against LGBT people. We are, however, against any ideological or political agenda—whether LGBT or otherwise—that seeks to impose itself on people and organisations of faith, silencing or preventing them from freely living out and expressing their deeply held convictions.

Section 15 of the South African Constitution guarantees the right to religious freedom, and as a legal advocacy group, FOR SA’s mandate is to protect and uphold the religious freedom rights of all South Africans, regardless of faith or belief. FOR SA remains firmly committed to defending the freedom of faith, including the right to hold and express Biblical views on issues such as the sanctity of life, human sexuality, and relationships.

FOR SA offers advice and assistance to individuals whose religious freedom rights are under threat, particularly when broader constitutional principles are involved. If you need help, please read more here.

FOR SA is not a law firm, we cannot act as your attorney or represent you in court. However, we can refer individuals or organisations whose religious rights are at risk to attorneys and advocates specialising in religious freedom law who may assist with court proceedings. It is crucial to choose legal representatives with expertise in this specific area of law. In some cases, FOR SA may become involved as a party to the case or as an amicus curiae ("friend of the court").

Yes. FOR SA collaborates strategically with like-minded local and international organisations when there is alignment on protecting religious freedom, while remaining independent in its mandate.

No, FOR SA does not have branches outside of South Africa. However, recognising that religious freedom is a global issue, FOR SA collaborates with various organisations around the world to share best practices and insights. We have also advised and assisted in the establishment of similar organisations across Africa.

How is FOR SA funded?   FOR SA relies on the support of donors and supporters who value the protection of religious freedom. As a non-profit organisation, funding enables FOR SA to carry out its advocacy and educational work. FOR SA can issue Section 18A certificates for donations made by individuals or corporates, which entitle these donors to certain tax deductions.For more detail on how to donate, see here.

You can subscribe to our newsletter or podcast to stay up to date on matters affecting religious freedom in South Africa.

Yes. FOR SA is always willing to assist the media by providing information and informed insight on issues that broadly impact freedom of religion. This includes matters such as limitations on freedom of conscience, opinion, religion and belief, religious speech and expression, the rights of religious persons and communities to assemble, associate and practise their religion, as well as parental and children’s rights. Media are welcome to contact us with any queries.