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The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) submitted a pre-budget proposal on September 17, 2021, arguing that the South African National Treasury's strategy of fiscal consolidation (austerity) is economically flawed and violates socio-economic rights. The IEJ advocates for a shift from expenditure cuts to a government-led stimulus plan, progressive tax increases, and the implementation of a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) to drive economic growth and reduce inequality.

Groundwork South Africa submitted an affidavit to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) objecting to Karpowership SA Richards Bay's application for an electricity generation licence. The objection argues that the project fails to meet the requirements of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) and the National Energy Regulator Act (NERA), citing severe environmental risks, lack of necessary permits, and the existence of cheaper, cleaner energy alternatives.

This statement by the Youth Policy Committee Gender Working Group of the South African Institute of International Affairs highlights the disparity between South Africa's progressive constitutional protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals and the lived reality of hate crimes, discrimination, and systemic violence they face.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of 'other effective area-based conservation measures' (OECMs) in Africa. It argues that OECMs, which are sites outside formal protected areas managed to deliver long-term biodiversity and socio-economic benefits, are essential for engaging local communities and achieving biodiversity targets. Through case studies in South Africa and Kenya, the document demonstrates how community-private sector partnerships can create sustainable livelihoods while protecting ecosystems, and calls for African governments to align on a community-centred conservation agenda for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for groundWork, submitted a formal objection on 18 June 2021 to the Water Use Licence (WUL) application for the Nseleni Independent Floating Power Plant (NIFPP) at the Port of Richards Bay. The objection argues that the 12-page application is 'woefully deficient and incomplete,' failing to provide necessary data on water resource impacts, climate change, and the full scope of associated infrastructure to allow for an informed decision.

This research paper examines the 'restoration economy' in Africa, using South Africa's 'Working for Wetlands' program as a primary case study. It argues that ecological restoration can support economic recovery and resilience ('build back better') if integrated with development planning and funded by a mix of public and private sources, particularly from production sectors like mining and agriculture.

This market brief, prepared by GreenCape for the City of Cape Town, evaluates green technologies and practices to sustainably intensify urban and peri-urban food production. It classifies interventions into three levels based on a modified Gliessman framework: increasing efficiency of current practices, substituting alternative practices, and re-establishing production through novel growing systems. The document provides financial viability assessments for hydroponics, aquaponics, and complete Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems, while also identifying specific investment opportunities for different farm scales in Cape Town.

This 2021 report by WWF South Africa evaluates the management effectiveness of the South African marine protected area (MPA) network using the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT-SA 3). Based on a 2018 assessment of 27 sites, the report identifies systemic deficiencies in funding, staffing, and law enforcement, while proposing a phased approach to move MPAs from priority or basic management levels to optimal effectiveness.

This report by WWF South Africa, developed with Trace & Save and Nedbank, presents a business case for sustainable, regenerative dairy production in South Africa. Based on a case study of 62 pasture-based farms between 2013 and 2019, the report demonstrates a positive correlation between the implementation of sustainability best practices and increased farm profitability, alongside a reduction in environmental impact.

Friends of the Earth International issued a statement condemning the assassination of Mama Fikile Ntshangase, an environmental activist in South Africa who opposed the expansion of the Tendele coal mine.

This research paper by Mbongiseni Buthelezi examines how the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent hard lockdown in March 2020 exposed and exacerbated existing social, economic, and political fault lines in South Africa. The author analyzes the state's response, the role of the military and police, the emergence of corruption in PPE and food relief procurement, and the evolving relationship between the government, business, and civil society.

A joint statement by several human rights and environmental organizations condemning the murder of Fikile Ntshangase, a leader in the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (MCEJO) who opposed the expansion of a Tendele Coal Mining (Pty) Ltd mine in KwaZulu-Natal.

This research paper by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) evaluates the local government fiscal framework in South Africa, arguing that the structural assumptions made in the 1998 White Paper on Local Government are fundamentally unsound and have led to widespread municipal financial distress and the erosion of the social wage.

A formal letter from the South African Water Caucus (SAWC) and affiliates to Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and other officials, demanding urgent provision of water tanks, reliable water supply, and sanitation packs for communities lacking access. The document highlights a failure by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to respond to previous requests and warns of legal action if a response is not provided by August 3, 2020.

This document consists of a practice note and heads of argument filed by Tendele Coal Mining (Pty) Ltd in the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa. Tendele is responding to an appeal by the Global Environmental Trust and others who seek an interdict to close the Somkhele Coal Mine, alleging that the mine operates without necessary environmental, land use, waste management, and heritage authorizations.

The South African Water Caucus (SAWC) issued an urgent request to Minister Lindiwe Sisulu of the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation on June 1, 2020, demanding immediate intervention for over 200 communities lacking access to water and basic sanitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An open letter from a coalition of civil society organisations to President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing concern over the potential for corruption and waste regarding South Africa's R500-billion Covid-19 relief package. The authors call for urgent transparency measures, independent monitoring, and strict accountability to prevent the diversion of emergency funds.

This guide by Natural Justice examines how COVID-19 lockdowns have been leveraged by governments and private entities to suppress environmental and land defenders, particularly in Africa, and provides strategic advice for maintaining activism and safety during the pandemic.

The South African Water Caucus (SAWC) submitted an urgent request to Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on April 30, 2020, demanding the provision of water tanks, reliable water supply, and sanitation packs for numerous communities across South Africa facing dire water shortages and sanitation failures during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The South African Water Caucus (SAWC) submitted an urgent request to Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on 22 April 2020, demanding the provision of water tanks, reliable water supply, and sanitation packs for numerous communities lacking basic water access during the COVID-19 pandemic.