In March 2018, the Commission acting in the public interest and as a representative for a complainant, approached the Equality Court seeking, among others, an order from the Court declaring certain speech, including this slogan, and written statements by the Black First Land First (BLF) party, and directed at white South African persons, as hate speech on the basis of race.

Yesterday, 6 May 2019, the Court ordered the BLF to:

•    Remove any social media posts made by BLF, using #LandorDeath within one month from the date of the order;

•    Remove the phrase “Land or Death” from wherever it may appear on BLF’s website, including from the Soweto Declaration, and to remove this phrase from clothing worn in public by their members within one month from the date of the order;

•    Issue an unconditional apology to South Africans, in writing – for using the slogan “Land or Death”. The apology must be provided to the South African Human Rights Commission for approval and be published on the Commission’s website within one month from the date of the order.

Further to the above, the Court has directed the Clerk of the Equality Court, in terms of section 21(2)(n) of the Equality Act, to submit the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions for the possible institution of criminal proceedings against BLF in terms of the common law or relevant legislation.

The SAHRC welcomes the Court’s decision on this matter.  Hate speech undermines the constitutional principles of equality, dignity and freedom. The BLF and all political parties have the potential to greatly influence public discourse and conduct and as such cannot propagate rhetoric of violence and death aimed at any group. Given the urgency of achieving social cohesion in South Africa, the Commission hopes that this ruling will go a long way to promote social cohesion and a greater awareness of the values on which our constitutional democracy is built.

The Commission calls upon all South Africans to act within the parameters of our Constitution and the law and to use appropriate mechanisms and institutions - such as the SAHRC and the Equality Courts – to seek remedies and recourse for violations of human rights.


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For more information contact Mr Buang Jones, Gauteng Provincial Manager on 078 617 0476 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.