Nomalungelo Gina, the Deputy Minister for Trade Industry and Competition, will be collaborating with the Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (Destea) in a concerted effort to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) in the Free State. Joining them will be a coalition of stakeholders, including the National Consumer Commission, the University of the Free State (UFS), and various consumer protection regulators.
This year’s WCRD, marked annually on March 15th, will center around the theme: “Safe Products, Safe Consumers: Fostering Accountability and Compliance.” The theme underscores the critical importance of ensuring the safety of products available in the South African consumer market, while emphasizing the responsibility of suppliers to adhere to the diverse regulations set forth by consumer protection bodies across the country.
The National Consumer Commission has underscored the significance of initiatives preceding the WCRD celebrations, which include consumer education programs and business compliance initiatives. These efforts, led by different regulatory authorities operating within the consumer space under the umbrella of the Consumer Protection Forum (CPF), aim to empower consumers with knowledge about their rights and ensure strict adherence to regulatory standards.
In addition to these efforts, the UFS recently hosted a symposium focused on addressing food safety concerns. The symposium provided a platform for discussions on the role of various stakeholders in guaranteeing that consumers have access to and consume goods that meet stringent safety standards. Through collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing platforms like this symposium, stakeholders are actively working towards enhancing consumer safety and protection in the Free State and beyond.
