History
Former US President John F. Kennedy served as the inspiration for International Consumer Rights Day. He became the first person in the world to raise the issues of consumer rights in a special statement he delivered to the US Congress in March 1962. The president declared, “We are all consumers. They are the greatest economic group, influencing practically all public and private economic decisions as well as being influenced by them. They are the only significant group, nevertheless, whose opinions are frequently ignored. Since 1983, March 15 has been set aside as International Consumer Rights Day to raise awareness of consumer rights and related problems.
Significance
Being a customer, one has the right to be informed about the goods or services they have acquired, including their purity, price, potency, quality, and quantity. Daily obstacles that consumers must overcome include a dearth of secure products and services. Being aware of our rights as consumers is essential if we’re going to be able to stop market abuses and maintain a secure marketplace. The goal of World Consumer Rights Day is to inform consumers of their rights through campaigns, advertisements, gatherings in public, social media, and marches. The day offers an opportunity to speak out against social injustices and market abuses, as well as to motivate initiatives to protect consumers’ rights. The event also highlights historical periods in which consumer rights have not been adequately protected.
South Africa
Many challenges facing South African consumers were identified by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition. For instance, poor-quality products and services from suppliers, a worsening energy issue that consumers get around by purchasing alternate energy sources while receiving shoddy items, faulty used cars, and no recourse when they file concerns. Thezi Mabuza, the acting National Consumer Commission (NCC) commissioner, claims that the majority of South Africans do not check their till slips or the prices of the goods they purchase from merchants to make sure they have paid the right price. Mabuza urges customers to notify the maker about subpar goods. and stresses the significance of verifying that you receive what is indicated on the packing.
View the consumer protection act here: