<P> The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act , 2000 ( PEPUDA or the Equality Act , Act No. 4 of 2000 ) is a comprehensive South African anti-discrimination law . It prohibits unfair discrimination by the government and by private organisations and individuals and forbids hate speech and harassment . The act specifically lists race , gender , sex , pregnancy , family responsibility or status , marital status , ethnic or social origin , HIV / AIDS status , colour , sexual orientation , age , disability , religion , conscience , belief , culture , language and birth as `` prohibited grounds '' for discrimination , but also contains criteria that courts may apply to determine which other characteristics are prohibited grounds . Employment discrimination is excluded from the ambit of the act because it is addressed by the Employment Equity Act , 1998 . The act establishes the divisions of the High Court and designated Magistrates ' Courts as `` Equality Courts '' to hear complaints of discrimination , hate speech and harassment . </P>
purpose of the promotion of equality and prevention of unfair discrimination act 4 of 2000
prohibits unfair discrimination by the government and by private organisations and individuals and forbids hate speech and harassment