By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has partnered with the Competition Commission, Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism, and various regulatory bodies, under the umbrella of the Consumer Protection Forum (CPF), to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD).
Activities this year, under the theme of Empowering Consumers – Balancing Rights with Ethical Business Practices, will include a breakfast with business leaders in Mbombela, site visits to automotive dealerships in the Mbombela area and surrounds, as well as a seminar with students to raise awareness of consumer rights.
WCRD is an annual event celebrated globally on 15 March and dedicated to raising awareness about consumer rights and promoting fair practices in the marketplace.
During a media launch on March 10, Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism Business Regulations and Governance acting director Bonani Dube unveiled the 2025 WCRD programme, outlining the significance of Mpumalanga as host.
He explained that activities had begun, and would end with the main event taking place on March 14.
The programme includes the relaunching of the Mpumalanga Consumer Court on March 13.
“We believe the consumer court will play a pivotal role in terms of supporting and protecting consumers in our province; it is indeed one of our key highlights to revitalize this instrument to ensure consumer protection in our province,” he said.
NCC education and advocacy head Poppy Kweyama discussed the evolution of consumer rights noting that challenges still persisted despite progress made.
“Many consumers still fall victim to fraud, misinformation, unsafe products and unethical business practices. In today’s digital world, issues such as data privacy, online scams, misleading digital advertisement and unfair pricing have added new dimensions to consumer protection,” she said.
Kweyama noted that this year’s global theme for the WCRD emphasised the need to make sustainable choices accessible and affordable for all consumers, noting that the South African theme for the WCRD in South Africa resonated with challenges faced by South African consumers.
“Each year brings different challenges in the consumer protection space. It has always been . . . our mandate that no consumer should be subject to unfair and questionable practices from unscrupulous suppliers.
“It is also our view that for a harmonised market place, we need to empower consumers while nudging suppliers into complying with various consumer laws. The theme seeks to educate businesses about their legislative responsibilities, while raising awareness and education amongst consumers on their rights and responsibilities as well.”
Kweyama noted that the consumer protection space had witnessed multiple enforcement operations targeting the preventing of illicit goods and substandard food products from being sold to unsuspecting consumers, underscoring the urgent need to address the widespread issues to safeguard public health and rights.
“While the law is protecting us, it is our responsibility as consumers to stay informed, demand ethical business practices and use our collective voice to drive change.”
Meanwhile, Competition Commission advocacy head Andile Gwabeni highlighted the role of competition regulation in consumer protection, noting the role of consumer choice in competition policy.
NCC deputy commissioner Thezi Mabuza explained that competition regulation plays a crucial role in protecting consumers by ensuring that competition in markets is in the public interest.
“We do this through various tools that are at our disposal as competition authorities, and these tools are there to help us to make sure that we deal with prohibited conduct,” he said.
“These tools that we have are there to make sure that we protect consumers from excessive prices, from practices that limit their choice, and also from any conduct that distorts the markets that we have, “he added.
Mabuza noted that the partnership between the NCC and the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism aimed to promote competition in the South African economy, arguing that competitive markets had the potential to help foster a growing and inclusive economy.