Environmental movement in South Africa

The environmental movement in South Africa traces its history from the beginnings of conservation and preservation groups in the late 19th century, to the rise of radicalism amongst local ecologists and activists.

The early environmental movement in South Africa was primarily made up of conservation groups whose membership was dominated by affluent whites.

[1] Many of these groups advocated for forms of fortress conservation that were used to justify forcibly removing Black South Africans from their land.

"[2] Since the early days of the environmental movement, protection of wildlife and natural landscapes has been a major area of focus, however as the environmental movement has become more justice-focused, it has shifted from advocating for fortress conversation policies to endorsing community-based conservation strategies, which have been implemented in some areas with varying degrees of efficacy.

[3] Some environmental groups have addressed the intersections between the environment, urban living conditions, and occupational health and safety.

[6] These new mines employed a primarily Black workforce, shifting the Native population from relying on subsidence agriculture for their livelihoods to becoming dependent on wage labor.

Sulfuric acid from mines also leads to pollution of surrounding groundwater, which for many communities is an important drinking water source.

The issue is connected to debates surrounding climate change and the country's transition to renewable energy since the majority of the nation's electricity currently comes from coal fire power plants.

[3] However significant problems remain with the water system including broken or failing infrastructure, a lack of upkeep, and corruption in municipal governments.

[2] Earthlife Africa (ELA) is a South African environmental and anti-nuclear organisation founded in August 1988, in Johannesburg.

After the end of apartheid, many radical environmentalists were absorbed into the governing African National Congress (ANC), while some chose to continue pursuing activism or advocacy through non-governmental organizations.

[2] Lack of transparency and public participation in government decision making remain a source of conflict between environmental organizations and political officials.

The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), which passed in 1994 promised increased service delivery that would meet the needs of all people.