Expropriation Act Myth Busting: With LRC's Cecile van Schalkwyk
In January 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Act into law. This Act is an effort to align expropriation legislation with section 25 of the Constitution and to replace the outdated 1975 Expropriation Act, which was promulgated long before South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
While the power to expropriate land for a public purpose — such as building a dam or a road — is a function held by most governments around the world, the signing of the Expropriation Act has ignited both national and international responses.
The controversy surrounding the Act appears to be driven by the inclusion of “public interest” as a valid reason for expropriation, as well as the possibility that nil compensation may be paid in limited circumstances. Some have described the Act as a race-based law aimed at expropriating farmland held by white owners, or as a mechanism for arbitrary land seizures. This rhetoric has even prompted international reactions, including an executive order by US President Donald Trump to halt all funding to South Africa.
But what is fact, and what is fiction?
In this episode, the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) looks at what the Expropriation Act actually says and attempts to dispel some of the myths surrounding it. The podcast seeks to provide a balanced and accurate analysis of the powers granted to the state under the Act, aiming to combat the misinformation that has shaped much of the public response.
Join us as LRC’s Cecile van Schalkwyk breaks down the facts, clarifies misconceptions, and brings expert insight into one of the most hotly debated legislative developments in South Africa.
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Transgender Rights and Corporate Accountability: Brent’s Fight for Justice
Transgender Rights and Corporate Accountability: Brent’s Fight for Justice | Legal Resources Radio 🎙️
In this episode of Legal Resources Radio, we bring you the powerful story of Brent Janse van Vuuren—a transgender man who was excluded from the 2025 CrossFit Open, not because of his performance, but because of who he is.
After participating in the 2024 Open with no issue, Brent was suddenly barred from competing as a recreational athlete. CrossFit, a global fitness brand, had quietly changed its policy to exclude all trans athletes from participation.
This episode explores what it means when multinational companies bring discriminatory rules into countries like South Africa, where equality, dignity, and the right to identity are protected by our Constitution.
We speak to Brent about his journey, his passion for CrossFit, and how it feels to be told he doesn’t belong—simply for being himself. We also unpack the broader legal and human rights implications of policies like these and how we can hold corporations accountable.
🎧 Tune in, learn, and stand with us in the fight for justice.
🗣️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support our work.
#LegalResourcesRadio #TransRightsAreHumanRights #BrentSpeaks #JusticeForAll #CorporateAccountability #CrossFitInclusion
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South Africa: A Surveilled State (Part 2)
In this episode of Legal Resources Radio, we continue our deep dive into South Africa’s surveillance landscape, shifting our focus to one of the most controversial surveillance tools today—facial recognition technology (FRT). Our host is joined by Murray Hunter, a public interest advisory expert from ALT Advisory, a Bertha Fellow, and a Ruth First Fellow, whose work focuses on communication surveillance, data protection, and digital rights.
Together, they unpack what facial recognition technology really is, debunking the Hollywood myths of flawless crime-solving systems and revealing the harsh realities of its implementation in South Africa. While this technology is often introduced under the guise of crime prevention, Murray explains why its effectiveness is highly questionable—especially given its well-documented biases against people of color, its inaccuracies, and the risks it poses to fundamental rights and freedoms.
We also explore the growing role of private companies in driving facial recognition adoption, how global tech firms are exporting this technology to South Africa, and why our government’s attempts to build its own biometric database remain a cause for concern. Beyond the technical and legal challenges, we discuss the historical and political implications of mass surveillance in a country with a legacy of apartheid-era state control.
With crime being a major concern for many South Africans, there’s an increasing push for security-first solutions like facial recognition. But does it actually reduce crime, or does it merely shift it elsewhere? And at what cost to our civil liberties?
Join us for this thought-provoking discussion as we critically assess whether South Africa is truly becoming a surveillance state—or simply a state being surveilled.
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South Africa: A Surveilled State (Part 1)
In Part 1 of South Africa: A Surveilled State, Prof Jane Duncan delves into the complexities of surveillance intelligence in South Africa, shedding light on the lack of comprehensive legal protections for citizens' privacy. This episode explores the risks posed by unchecked surveillance practices and the urgent need for stronger laws to safeguard our rights in an increasingly monitored society. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of technology, security, and human rights in South Africa.
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Political Microtargeting
Welcome to Legal Resources Radio! In this episode, we dive into the intriguing and sometimes alarming world of political microtargeting—the use of data-driven advertising to influence voter behavior.
Joining host Kimal Harvey, a Candidate Attorney at the Legal Resources Centre, are two remarkable guests: Dr. Charlene Kreuser, Attorney at the Legal Resources Centre, and Joseph Theuri Gitonga, Lead Data Scientist from Strathmore University. Together, they unpack the complexities of ad tech, explore its role in online political campaigning, and reveal findings from their groundbreaking report.
Key questions explored in this episode include:
-What is political microtargeting, and how does it work?
-How are South African political parties leveraging ad tech to shape campaigns?
-What data is being collected, and are our privacy rights being violated?
-How does South African legislation, such as POPIA, compare to international standards in regulating microtargeting?
-What can be done to protect voters and ensure accountability in this evolving digital landscape?
Joseph shares fascinating insights from his computational analysis of Facebook’s ad data, revealing how ads are categorized, the topics they address, and who they target. Meanwhile, Charlene discusses the legal implications, gaps in current laws, and the urgent need for legislative reform and enhanced digital literacy.
Whether you’re a legal professional, a data enthusiast, or simply curious about how technology shapes politics, this episode offers an enlightening and thought-provoking conversation.
Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and follow us on social media @LegalResourcesSA for more insights from the world of social justice and advocacy!
In a world increasingly shaped by technology, the Legal Resources Centre's Democratising Big Tech dives into critical conversations at the intersection of technology, law, and human rights. From the shadowy underbelly of misinformation and disinformation to the pervasive threats of surveillance, hacking, and cybersecurity, this initiative unpacks the pressing issues that impact communities worldwide.
We explore topics like:
- The ethical and legal implications of surveillance technology and spyware.
- How misinformation and disinformation campaigns influence elections, media, and society.
- The systemic challenges of online discrimination, sexism, and xenophobia.
- The balance between privacy rights and national security in the digital age.
Through expert interviews, real-life stories, and legal insights, Democratising Big Tech aims to shed light on how individuals and communities can navigate, challenge, and transform the digital revolution to ensure accountability, transparency, and equity in Big Tech.
Join us to unpack the big questions surrounding Big Tech and chart a path toward a more just, equitable digital future.
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