Following President Ramaphosa’s Youth Day speech last week – which mostly focused on the unprecedented high unemployment rate and lack of opportunities – young small-scale fishers, along the coast, say they are concerned that government does not recognise their value as South Africans who are self-employed and trying to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their … [Read more...]
Court stops Amazon-backed development on sacred land
The R4.5-billion development at the River Club site in Observatory has been stopped, with a court ruling that the developers must “consult meaningfully” with all affected people. The interim interdict granted by Western Cape deputy judge president Patricia Goliath, will remain in place pending a review of the relevant environmental land use authorisations for the development … [Read more...]
Mpumalanga air pollution declared a violation of constitutional rights
Today environmental justice groups celebrate a landmark judgment in the #DeadlyAir case as a victory for environmental justice in South Africa with far-reaching consequences. In the judgment, the High Court has recognised the poor air quality in South Africa’s Mpumalanga Highveld region as a breach of residents’ Constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to … [Read more...]
Greater collaboration needed between Africa and Europe
As part of a global organisation that advances worldwide solutions to the climate crisis, we recognise that the sixth summit of European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) heads of state and government, taking place on 17–18 February 2022 in Brussels, presents opportunities that can potentially benefit the whole of society on both continents. There is now a greater need than … [Read more...]
Seismic court ruling another win for small-scale fishers
On Monday after “incredibly tense” court arguments, the Western Cape High Court ruled that the ban – originally issued on 7 February – on Searcher’s seismic blasting of the west and south-west coast of South Africa, stays in place. Foreign companies Searcher Geodata UK Limited and Searcher Seismic (Australia) challenged the earlier interim order directing it to discontinue … [Read more...]
Koeksister Project for Building Resilient Towns kicks-off in Saldanha Bay
Climate change. Economic and social recovery from Covid. Growing unemployment and deepening inequality. These are just a few of the issues facing South Africans today. Recent events have exposed that our towns and communities are not resilient/strong enough to cope with the economic and energy shocks (such as loadshedding), nor to deal with the extreme weather events that … [Read more...]
Environmental regulation amendments to threaten constitutional rights
Proposed environmental regulation amendments will violate fundamental constitutional rights to public participation, affecting the poor and vulnerable communities disproportionately. On the 31st December 2021 Barbra Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment gazetted a proposed amendment to the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) - the Section 24H … [Read more...]
Nuclear regulatory decision-making process lacks transparency
“It has been nearly two weeks since Minister Gwede Mantashe suspended the civil society representative on the board of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) and still the public is none the wiser as to why. Many in the energy justice space are questioning the timing of the suspension as Koeberg unit 2 is shut down. The aim of the NNR board is to ensure nuclear safety and to … [Read more...]
Nuclear protest highlights safety concerns at Koeberg
An anti-nuclear demonstration held on Bloubergstrand Beach on 16 December highlighted concerns of Capetonians about the implications of Eskom extending Koeberg’s lifespan next year. The nuclear plant reaches the end of its 40-year lifespan in 2024 but Eskom is trying to extend its operating life by another 20 years before any public consultation. The event was organised … [Read more...]
South Africa’s first climate finance deal is a promising start
Climate and environmental justice groups cautiously welcome the $8.5 billion partnership announced at COP26, but demand transparency about the scope and conditions, and accountability by lenders, beneficiaries and the South African government. The partnership between the governments of South Africa, the US, the UK, France, Germany and the EU will mobilise $8.5 billion (R131 … [Read more...]
Environmental Rights and Remedies course seeks nominations
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER)’s annual Environmental Rights and Remedies Course for environmental justice activists is a key component of CER’s activist support and training work. Developed from demand from other community partners for rights training and building on existing initiatives like groundWork’s Environmental Justice School, the Rights & Remedies … [Read more...]
Global coalition demands cage-free eggs
Today, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) joins a large-scale global cage-free campaign launched against Restaurant Brands International (RBI), owner of leading brands Burger King and Popeyes. The campaign – led by a coalition of more than eighty (80) influential animal protection non-profit organizations worldwide – urges the company to … [Read more...]
One more month to comment on internet censorship bill
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, recently extended the period for comment on the Draft Film and Publications Amendment Regulations, which align with the Films and Publications Amendment Act. Anti-censorship groups have dubbed this the “internet censorship bill” for seeking to regulate what it deems “harmful content” and to corral … [Read more...]
