The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) recently made a number of requests for information in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), following its growing concern about government’s latest push for further nuclear energy projects. According to Safcei’s Francesca de Gasparis, it is the public’s right to have access to key … [Read more...]
Nuclear goes ahead, despite omission from NDC
Nuclear was not part of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC document)which our country submitted to COP21 ahead of the conference. Yet now we are going ahead with nuclear? Ahead of COP21 in Paris last year, civil society met with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to give input into the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution for South Africa (INDC). … [Read more...]
Bold new actions could save rhinos from extinction
The rhino is being hunted into extinction and could disappear forever unless we act now. Shocking new statistics show more than 440 rhinos were brutally killed last year in South Africa alone - a massive increase on five years ago when just 13 had their horns hacked off. In the coming days EU environment ministers will consider bold new actions to save these amazing creatures … [Read more...]
Proposed seed laws to restrict Farmers’ Rights
In this briefing, Mariam Mayet from the African Centre for Biosafety brings to the attention of small-holder farmers, the proposed amendments by the South African government (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) to its Plant Breeders Rights Act concerning the issue of Farmers Rights. The proposed legislation will have far reaching implications for the rights of … [Read more...]
Help protect us from secrecy
In November 2011, the National Assembly passed the Secrecy Bill, ignoring a monumental public outcry. It was a sad day for South Africa's democracy, and it became known as Black Tuesday. The battle now moves to The National Council of Provinces and President Zuma, who both must approve the Bill before it becomes law. We must keep challenging this draconian bill and taking … [Read more...]
