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South Africa and the Utility of Naval Power
This monograph, published by the Institute for Security Studies in February 1997, examines the strategic utility of naval power for South Africa in the post-Cold War era. It consists of several papers discussing the renewal of the South African Navy (SAN) fleet, the evolving nature of global security, and opportunities for maritime cooperation in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean rims. The document highlights the SAN's struggle with obsolete equipment and funding shortages while arguing that naval power remains a flexible, benign tool for diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and the protection of marine resources and economic interests.
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Document type: Report
181030mandates-539bf707550ad7ef.pdf
This document consists of negotiating mandates and reports from several South African provincial legislatures—Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, and Western Cape—regarding the Marine Spatial Planning Bill [B 9D-2017]. The provinces generally support the Bill, which aims to establish a framework for marine spatial planning, coordinate ocean use across multiple sectors, and promote a sustainable ocean economy, while proposing various amendments related to governance, definitions, and inclusivity.
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Document type: Report
2014-05-30-fa16-ambient-aq-standards-discussion-document-30-10-2007-2ec626542db9c536.pdf
This discussion document, compiled by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), outlines the process for establishing national ambient air quality standards in South Africa under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 2004 (AQA). It analyzes the transition from source-based controls to an objectives-based approach, evaluates the limitations of previous SABS standards (SANS 1929 and SANS 69), and summarizes public and stakeholder responses to proposed standards. The document concludes by presenting a revised set of standards and a governance framework that uses tiered zones (Green, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Red) to trigger air quality management interventions.
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Document type: Report
2014-05-30-fa46-natref-submission-05-2012-018e25d4b2c23688.pdf
A June 2012 submission by the Natref refinery to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) regarding proposed Minimum Emission Standards (MES). Natref argues that inflexible national point source emission standards are impractical for existing facilities and proposes a 'bubble' approach to emissions management to ensure socio-economic sustainability and energy security.
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Document type: Report
2014-05-30-fa52-natref-submission-to-dea-10-2012-530e4ff6e1ac4773.pdf
This October 2012 submission from the Natref refinery to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) argues that the proposed Minimum Emission Standards (MES) are technically and socio-economically unsustainable for existing inland refineries. Natref advocates for a "bubble" approach to emissions management rather than a point-source approach and requests separate, less stringent limits for existing facilities compared to new plants.
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Document type: Report
annexure-a-26333ba73b763b35.pdf
A formal request sent on 29 November 2016 by the Life After Coal Campaign and other environmental organisations to the South African Minister of Energy, seeking an extension for public comment on the Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) and the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update and demanding the release of critical supporting documents.
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Document type: Statement
dd28-part-2-of-2-b1eb84283a126c63.pdf
This report details a passive sampling campaign for BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylene) conducted at the Chevron Cape Town Refinery from June 2010 to June 2011. The study monitored air quality across 12 locations to assess compliance with national and international ambient air quality standards.
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Document type: Report
fa50-letter-from-natref-to-dea-1-09-2011-35f20012a3dd2a8b.pdf
A letter from National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Natref) to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) dated September 1, 2011, detailing the refinery's air quality compliance status and proposing amendments to the Minimum Emission Standards (MES). Natref argues that the proposed 2015 SO2 limits are unachievable and requests that the DEA recognize the emissions reductions achieved through its Residual Crude Desulphurization (RCD) unit.
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Document type: Statement
pml6-1eb30a68de8bcf19.pdf
A directive from the Mpumalanga Regional Manager of the Department of Mineral Resources (implied by the Act cited) to Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd stating that their Environmental Management Programme (EMP) for mining activities in the Wakkerstroom magisterial district is non-compliant with Section 39(4)a of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act.
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Document type: Statement
BÂTIR UN MOUVEMENT DE JEUNES INCLUSIF ET INTER-RÉGIONAL POUR LA JUSTICE ENVIRONNEMENTALE
This zine documents a cross-regional exchange between young environmental activists from Africa and Europe conducted by Friends of the Earth International between 2016 and 2018. It provides reflections on environmental justice, the impact of colonialism, and the challenges of building an inclusive, intergenerational movement, while offering practical educational tools for activists.
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Document type: Guide
BÂTIR UN MOUVEMENT DE JEUNES INCLUSIF ET INTER-RÉGIONAL POUR LA JUSTICE ENVIRONNEMENTALE / CONSTRUCCIÓN DE UN MOVIMIENTO INCLUSIVO E INTERREGIONAL DE JÓVENES POR LA JUSTICIA AMBIENTAL
This report documents the outcomes of an interregional exchange between young activists from Friends of the Earth (FoE) Africa and Europe conducted between 2016 and 2018. The project aimed to strengthen the youth movement for environmental justice through 14 exchange trips, two regional meetings, and three interregional encounters, focusing on inclusivity, interregional solidarity, and the dismantling of systemic oppressions such as colonialism and patriarchy.
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Document type: Report
BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE AND CROSS-REGIONAL YOUTH MOVEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
This zine documents a series of cross-regional exchanges between youth members of the Friends of the Earth (FoE) federation in Africa and Europe conducted between 2016 and 2018. It shares reflections on environmental justice, the impacts of colonialism, and the challenges of building an inclusive movement, while providing popular education tools for dismantling systemic oppression and mapping historical interrelations.
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Document type: Report
notre climat, notre mot à dire
This guide by Friends of the Earth International explains the causes and consequences of human-induced climate change, emphasizing the concept of climate justice and the disproportionate impact on poor countries, particularly in Africa. It criticizes the failure of governments to act due to the influence of powerful corporations and proposes systemic changes to transition toward a sustainable and socially just future.
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Document type: Guide
our-climate-our-say-zulu-6e8ac5c6a84b56ff.pdf
This guide, published by Friends of the Earth International, explains the causes and impacts of climate change, emphasizing the disproportionate responsibility of wealthy industrialised nations and the severe risks faced by Africa. It criticizes government failures driven by corporate interests and proposes a systemic transition toward renewable energy and sustainable food systems.
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Document type: Guide
returning-the-spark-7-c60b99c2a8965258.pdf
This case study examines the role of electronic waste (e-waste) repair and redistribution in South Africa, focusing on The Appliance Bank as a model for integrating circular economy principles with social upliftment. It highlights how diverting e-waste from landfills through refurbishment can create jobs for unemployed men and provide affordable technology to low-income communities.
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Document type: Case study
iej-ubig-13-fact-sheet-2-9fb4f3125c70e2c5.pdf
This fact sheet by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) examines fraud within South Africa's social grant system. It argues that while the government focuses its crackdown on individual beneficiaries through automated surveillance and strict eligibility reviews, the most significant fraud by value is perpetrated by government officials and predatory third parties. The document contends that these anti-fraud measures disproportionately exclude eligible, vulnerable people—including seniors and persons with disabilities—due to flawed data and onerous compliance requirements.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Research Paper No. 340 | Systemic exclusion from a South African social assistance transfer: Drivers, impacts, and who is most at risk
This research paper finds that approximately half of the target population for South Africa's Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is excluded, with an average of 76% of those excluded being eligible. The study identifies that rapid digitalization and automation, lacking transparency and oversight, create systemic barriers to application, verification, payment, and appeal. These barriers disproportionately affect those already marginalized by digital, financial, and spatial inequalities, leading to severe hardship and hunger.
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Document type: Research paper
Workshop Report: Understanding the IPID Mandate for Addressing Police Corruption
This report details a national workshop held in September 2010 in Durban, co-hosted by the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), to discuss the mandate of the proposed Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in addressing police corruption in South Africa.
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Document type: Report
The Deeper Implications of Widespread Lawlessness in South Africa
This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the rise of lawlessness in South Africa, arguing that it is driven by government failure in service delivery and endemic corruption. The author warns that increasing violence in protests, the rise of vigilantism, and the perceived exemption of certain sectors from the law could lead to a full-scale revolt unless citizens hold the government accountable.
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Document type: Briefing
2162 ISS Monograph 117 Mozambique.indd
This report examines the patterns of forced migration from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to South Africa, focusing on the demographic shift toward a young, educated, middle-class population. It details the social dislocation these migrants face, moving from professional status in the DRC to survivalist roles in the South African informal economy, and the defensive ethnic networks they form to navigate a hostile urban environment.
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Document type: Report