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The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing Earthlife Africa, groundWork, and the Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa (MEJCON-SA), submitted a formal objection to the Department of Economic Development Environment and Tourism in Limpopo regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) metallurgical cluster. The CER argues that the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) contains fatal flaws, including insufficient public participation and missing critical data on water and energy, and asserts that the application should have been refused by the regulatory deadline of 19 May 2021.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork, Earthlife Africa, and the Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa, submitted formal objections to the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (EMSEZ). The CER argues that the EIA is fatally flawed due to procedural unfairness, inadequate public participation, and significant gaps in specialist studies regarding climate change, water scarcity, air quality, and human health. The document asserts that the project's high negative environmental impacts likely outweigh its projected socio-economic benefits and that an environmental authorisation should be denied.

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.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork, Earthlife Africa (ELA), and MEJCON-SA, submitted formal objections on 22 October 2020 to the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report (DEIR) for the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ), also known as the Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone (EMSEZ). The CER argues that the project's negative environmental and social impacts far outweigh its potential benefits and that the environmental authorisation (EA) should be refused due to severe flaws in the assessment process, conflict of interest in the decision-making authority, and significant threats to climate, water, and health.

This research paper examines the governance of Lephalale, a mining town in South Africa's Limpopo province, focusing on the intersection of local government, spatial planning, and mining companies. It argues that the Medupi power station project failed to bridge apartheid-era spatial divides due to the Lephalale Local Municipality's lack of institutional capacity and its heavy dependence on private interests, specifically the multinational corporation Exxaro.

This research paper applies Michel Foucault's 'micro-physics' of power to analyze the internal workings of the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in South Africa during a period of intense political conflict between 2014 and 2015. The author examines how an ousted mayor, Tlhalefi Mashamaite, used regimes of visibility, exclusion, and truth to discipline municipal bureaucrats and consolidate power following a violent return to office.

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.

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.

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.

This case study describes the first climate change court case in South Africa, concerning the environmental authorisation of the 1200MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provides a supplementary table of comments on the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill, 2017 [B14D-2017]. The document details proposed amendments to several South African environmental laws, including the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA), and the Integrated Coastal Management Act (NEMICMA), offering specific critiques and alternative wording to strengthen environmental protection and enforcement.

A statement from the Centre for Environmental Rights, on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, urging the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to prioritise the Climate Change Bill and accelerate South Africa's transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate severe climate risks.

This 2020 industry brief by GreenCape examines the business case for energy storage in South Africa, focusing on the role of hybrid solar PV and battery systems in mitigating the impact of severe load shedding.

This case study describes the first climate change court case in South Africa, where the non-profit Earthlife Africa challenged the environmental authorisation of the Thabametsi coal-fired power station due to the absence of a climate impact assessment.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork and Earthlife Africa, submitted formal objections on November 1, 2019, to the Final Scoping Assessment Report (FSR) for the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (also known as the Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone or EMSEZ). The CER argues that the FSR is fatally flawed due to inadequate public participation, a failure to conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), and the appointment of an incorrect competent authority. The document details severe concerns regarding the project's impact on water scarcity, climate change, air quality, and biodiversity in the Limpopo Province.

This report reviews the status of marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in South Africa, detailing the country's policy frameworks, institutional arrangements, and practical implementation of nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork and Earthlife Africa, submitted a formal statement to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries opposing the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ), also known as the South African Energy and Metallurgical Special Economic Zone (EMSEZ). The CER argues that the project's environmental impact assessment (EIA) process is fatally flawed and that the project poses severe risks to water resources, air quality, and climate commitments.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork and Earthlife Africa, has formally requested the opportunity to comment on the final scoping assessment report for the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The CER objects to the adequacy of the public participation process and the content of the scoping report, requesting that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process be paused until detailed objections are submitted.