World Consumer Rights Day

As the world observes World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) today, South African regulators under the Consumer Protection Forum commemorated this day at the University of Limpopo on Friday, 13 March. The Deputy Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition, Honourable Zuko Godlimpi and MEC of Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Honourable Tshitereke Matibe, led the commemoration.

The South African 2026 WCRD theme, “Turning the tide against unfair business practices”, shows the resolve of regulators, technical infrastructure institutions and Ombud schemes to tackle practices that undermine consumer rights in the market. This theme aligns with the global theme, “Safe Products, Confident Consumers.”

Attending the various events included the University of Limpopo’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor RN Madadzhe, Executive Mayor of Capricorn District, Cllr Mamedupi Teffo, law enforcement agencies including the South African Police Service, heads of various regulators, the house of traditional leaders, academia, community leaders and students.

The NCC’s Acting Commissioner, Mr Hardin Ratshisusu, in unpacking the year’s theme of World Consumer Rights Day, said: “This year’s global theme, Safe Products, Confident Consumers, calls on regulators, technical infrastructure institutions and ombuds in South Africa to heighten efforts to tackle practices in the market that undermine consumer rights. This also comes at a critical time, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution passing the first-ever United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, which is a decisive response to growing global risks posed by unsafe consumer products, particularly in the context of rising cross-border and online trade.”

The week-long activities leading up to World Consumer Rights Day highlighted the importance of collaboration within the consumer protection ecosystem. Joint enforcement inspections discovered misleading advertising tactics, hidden costs, non-disclosure of prices, unfair

contract terms, defective products and poor after-sales service. These inspections resulted in spot fines and the closure of several businesses that failed to comply with consumer laws.

The MEC for Limpopo Economic Development and Economy, Honourable Tshitereke Matibe, acknowledged the work done by the regulators and other Government departments that led to Friday’s events. He said that during the week, “Inspections conducted across the province also uncovered a warehouse containing illicit cigarettes worth approximately R25 000 000 (Twenty-five million Rand), which has since been seized following law enforcement intervention”.

Another important pillar of consumer protection is consumer education. These efforts are particularly important in rural communities and among young consumers entering increasingly complex financial and digital marketplaces.

Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi reiterated that the government, regulators, universities and civil society organisations have an important role to play in expanding consumer education initiatives. “Government must ensure that regulatory frameworks remain robust, responsive and capable of addressing new challenges. Regulators must be empowered to enforce the law effectively and decisively. Businesses must commit to ethical conduct and compliance. Civil society must continue to advocate for consumer rights. And consumers themselves must remain vigilant and assert their rights when they are violated”, Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi said.

He concluded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to building an economy that works for everyone, an economy rooted in fairness, transparency and accountability, and aligned with the values of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.