DearSA - Have Your Say (Official)

Dear SA is urging all South Africans, from commercial farmers to household pet owners, to participate in the public consultation process regarding the newly gazetted Draft Regulations Relating to Identification of Animals. Gazetted on 6 October 2026, the proposed law mandates the "double tagging" of a vast array of animals and carries severe penalties for non-compliance, including up to two years in prison. Read more: dears.africa/news/dear-sa-ca…

New animal identification laws could affect millions of South Africans. Have your say! Government is proposing stricter identification, tagging and registration requirements for animals, including livestock, dogs, rabbits and even beehives. Animal owners could face additional costs, extensive paperwork and penalties of up to two years in prison for non-compliance. Are these regulations practical, affordable and fair, or another unnecessary burden on South Africans? Public participation closes on 29 December 2026. Have your say on the proposed regulations: dears.africa/campaigns/new-a…

Can government keep South Africans safe? What should it be doing differently to fight violent crime? Should the death penalty be reinstated? South Africans are living with unacceptable levels of violent crime. Women and children are being murdered and abused, communities are being shaken by mass shootings, and families affected by violent crime are still waiting for justice. Government has announced new measures to tackle unresolved serious crimes, forensic backlogs and unsafe public spaces. But announcements alone will not make communities safer. South Africa needs effective policing, functioning investigations, successful prosecutions and real accountability when the system fails. 📢 Have your say on what government should be doing to protect South Africans before 30 November 2026. dears.africa/campaigns/south…

Do you support the Cape Town’s new pet by-law? The City of Cape Town’s proposed Animal Keeping By-law could introduce permits and fees for every dog and cat over six months old, compulsory sterilisation unless separate permission is obtained, limits on the number of animals you may keep, and wider enforcement and impoundment powers. Animal welfare matters. Cruelty, neglect, irresponsible breeding and genuine public nuisances should be dealt with firmly. But people who already care responsibly for their animals should not be buried in permits, fees and unnecessary red tape. 📢 Have your say before 29 September 2026. dears.africa/campaigns/don-t…

🚘 POLL: Do you support raising ministers’ car cap to R1.1 million? National Treasury has increased the vehicle price cap for ministers and premiers from R800,000 to R1.1 million, even as South Africans face mounting fuel costs and economic pressure. Now it’s your turn to weigh in. Do you think this decision is justified, or out of touch with reality? 👉 Have your say here: dears.africa/polls/ministers… DearSA gives South Africans a voice on the issues that matter. Make yours heard.

In a true democracy, every citizen has the right to participate. The right to question. The right to shape the decisions that affect their lives. Public participation is not a favour from government. It is a fundamental democratic right. Those affected by decisions have the right to be involved in making them. South Africa’s Constitution recognises this. Democracy is not just about voting every few years. It is about ongoing participation, where citizens can influence policies, laws, and the future of the country. That is exactly what Dear SA exists to protect. A platform where every submission counts. Where your voice is recorded, recognised, and delivered directly into the policy-making process. Because real human rights mean more than promises. They mean having a seat at the table. This Human Rights Day, don’t just celebrate your rights. Use them. Make your voice heard: dears.africa

Huge win for public participation! Thank you to everyone who took part in our campaign on live animal exports. Because of your voices and your 3 506 submissions, we helped shift the debate and support stronger, legally enforceable animal transport standards. ✅ Applies to long-distance and sea transport of live animals, especially sheep and cattle ✅ Humane handling and health checks before transport ✅ Stricter standards and monitoring during journeys ✅ Compulsory record-keeping and veterinary oversight ✅ Reduced suffering and stronger accountability These new regulations will take effect on 12 March 2026, showing what civil society can achieve when we stand together. Thank you for speaking up and making a difference. Keep making your voice heard here: dears.africa

POLL: Have your say about the state of Johannesburg. Johannesburg is in crisis—crumbling infrastructure, failing service delivery, and growing frustration among residents. Premier Panyaza Lesufi has apologised, and President Ramaphosa has admitted to the city's challenges. But what do you think? Your voice matters! Participate now and make your opinion count. 🔗 dears.africa/polls/poll-the-… @contentcowboy

🚗 Should South Africa’s speed limits be reduced? 🚦 The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has proposed lowering speed limits across South Africa by 10km/h on all roads. The government claims this will enhance road safety and align with United Nations recommendations. But not everyone agrees. Some experts argue there’s no clear evidence that reducing speed limits will significantly lower road fatalities. 🌍 How do we compare to the rest of the world? Check out our infographic on global speed limits and tell us what you think! Is this a step towards safer roads, or just another unnecessary restriction? Share your thoughts here: dears.africa/polls/poll-shou…