The vast majority of South Africans think that people should be allowed to say whatever they like, so long as they do not incite violence. This insight comes from a Social Research Foundation (SRF) survey of 1 004 South Africans conducted in June 2025.

In that survey participants were asked the following: “People should be allowed to say whatever they like, so long as they do not incite violence against any individual or group. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?”

When answering that question, participants could agree strongly or agree somewhat or disagree strongly or disagree somewhat.

Amongst all participants, 80.3% agreed either strongly or somewhat, whereas 19.4% disagreed.

Across lines of race, 82% of black South Africans and 71% of white South Africans agreed strongly or somewhat with the statement.

Similar unanimity existed across all other lines of race, home language, income, education, employment, and party affiliation.