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The National Research Conference Report details a two-day event held on 1-2 December 2025 in Johannesburg, focused on 'Reimagining Developmental Local Government'. The conference served as a platform to showcase findings from the COMPACT project—a European Union-funded initiative implemented by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI), SALGA, and Integrity Action—which aimed to enhance accountability and public participation in 12 South African municipalities. The report covers discussions on citizen participation tools, gender and youth inclusion, innovative municipal practices, performance monitoring, and the implementation of Citizen-Based Monitoring (CBM).

This policy brief examines the intersection of municipal and traditional authority land management in South Africa, specifically focusing on case studies from the Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province. It analyzes the hierarchical structures of traditional councils, the complex process of land development applications, and proposes innovations like the RECA model to mitigate land invasions and improve cooperative governance.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing several environmental and community organisations, has requested the urgent intervention of the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) regarding the environmental authorisation of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) project. The CER argues that the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) is not the lawful competent authority due to a conflict of interest and that the project's scale and transboundary implications require national-level oversight under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

This document is a formal appeal submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) on behalf of four appellants—Earthlife Africa, groundWork, the Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa, and Dzomo La Mupo—to the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET). The appeal seeks to set aside Environmental Authorisation (EA) No. 12/1/9/2-V79, granted on 23 February 2022 to the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SOC) Ltd (MMSEZ). The EA allows for the site clearance of 3,863 hectares of indigenous vegetation and the development of bulk infrastructure in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. The appellants argue that the EA is unlawful due to procedural irregularities, a lack of authority by the decision-maker, failure to assess cumulative and climate impacts, and the disregard of cultural heritage and water scarcity issues.

A mandate letter dated 23 March 2022 in which Bobby Peek, Director of groundWork, authorizes the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to lodge an appeal under Section 43 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) against the environmental authorization granted to the Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (SOC) Ltd.

A mandate letter dated 17 March 2022 from Phillipine Makoma Lekalakala, Director of Earthlife Africa, authorizing the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to lodge an appeal under section 43 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) against an environmental authorisation granted to Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (SOC) Ltd.

A mandate letter from Dzomo La Mupo authorizing the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to appeal an environmental authorisation granted to the Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (SOC) Ltd for its Southern Site project in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province.

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 September 2021 Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report (FEIR) for the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ). The CER argues that the EIA process is unlawful, procedurally irregular, and based on inadequate specialist assessments, concluding that the project's negative impacts on climate, water, and health outweigh its projected benefits.

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.

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.

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.

This Final Scoping Report details the environmental assessment for the southern site of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Limpopo, South Africa. The proposed development aims to establish a heavy industrial hub focused on energy and metallurgy, including plants for steel, ferrochrome, and thermal power generation. The report identifies significant environmental risks, particularly regarding water scarcity in a semi-arid region, potential biodiversity loss within the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, and the need for extensive bulk infrastructure. It outlines the regulatory framework, preliminary impact assessments, and a Plan of Study for the subsequent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) phase.

A budget vote speech delivered by Minister Shabangu on 2 June 2011, outlining the Department of Mineral Resources' budget for the 2011/12 financial year, regulatory reforms to the MPRDA and Mine Health and Safety Act, the launch of a state-owned mining company, and specific environmental interventions regarding the Karoo and derelict mines.

This research paper examines local adaptation strategies to climate variability within a communal irrigation scheme in the Vhembe District of South Africa's Limpopo Province, emphasizing that adaptation responses are socially differentiated.

A letter from the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment & Tourism to Delta Built Environmental Consultants granting a final extension until 31 January 2021 for the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for a proposed metallurgical cluster in the Musina-Makhado SEZ.

The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries confirms that the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) is the competent authority for the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone infrastructure application. The Minister notes that concerns regarding climate change, air pollution, and water availability are included in the EIA Plan of Study. The Ministry rejects the need for a Strategic Environmental Assessment and maintains that the public participation process met legal requirements.

The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) has granted environmental authorisation for the establishment of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) South Site. The authorisation specifically covers the clearance of indigenous vegetation, installation of bulk services infrastructure, and fencing for a metallurgical cluster, reducing the project footprint to 3,862 hectares.

This statement from the Violence Prevention Forum, published by the Institute for Security Studies, argues that South Africa requires ethical leadership and a commitment to violence prevention to achieve a just and inclusive peace. It highlights a disconnect between a pervasive public narrative of violence and the reality that most South Africans desire unity and are actively working to improve their communities through local interventions.