President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to the Preventing and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, otherwise known as the Hate Crimes Bill, the Presidency announced on Thursday.
The legislation "prohibits offences of hate crimes and the offence of hate speech and the prosecution of persons who commit those offences".
"This legislative measure gives effect to South Africa's obligations in terms of the Constitution and international human rights instruments concerning racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in accordance with international law obligations," read the Presidency's statement.