Rob Hutchinson

Rob Hutchinson is the Chairman and founder of Dear South Africa, an organisation dedicated to promoting and facilitating public participation in South Africa’s democratic processes. His journey into civil activism began after a nearly 20-year career in advertising and design, where a growing passion for social issues and the rise of social media led him to engage more actively in societal matters, particularly politics and governance.

In 2012, during the controversy surrounding Gauteng’s e-Toll system, Rob saw an opportunity to coordinate resistance against the system, which had sparked widespread discontent across various sectors of society. He founded Proudly e-Tag Free, which quickly gained significant support from over 280,000 citizens across multiple social media platforms. Daily protests on highway overpasses in Gauteng added to the movement, sending a clear message against e-Tolls. A collaboration with OUTA (the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance) amplified the resistance, and Rob became one of the founding directors of an organisation addressing broader issues of tax abuse.

A few years later, after leaving the organisation, Rob established Dear South Africa. The organisation's focus shifted to empowering public participation in South Africa’s governance, a crucial process often overlooked by citizens and the government alike. During this period, Rob was approached by the political party COPE and elected Deputy Secretary General of its top leadership. However, after a brief but educational stint in politics, Rob realised that the bureaucratic nature of politics and its inefficacy in solving societal issues did not align with his values. He resigned from his political role and devoted his full efforts to Dear South Africa.

Under Rob’s leadership, Dear South Africa has grown significantly, with over 1.2 million subscribers, 200+ completed campaigns, and numerous collaborations with civil organisations. With a vision for a coordinated civil society that brings about change, accountability, and transparency, the future of Dear South Africa remains promising and is a cause close to Rob’s heart.