Centre for Environmental Rights

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Centre for Environmental Rights Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Centre for Environmental Rights, Nonprofit Organization, 2nd Floor, Springtime Studios, 1 Scott Road, Observatory.

We are a non-profit organisation of activist lawyers who work with communities and civil society organisations in South Africa to realise our Constitutional right to a healthy environment by advocating and litigating for environmental justice.

When mine rehabilitation funds are misused, communities pay the price. ⚠️The conviction of two directors and three compa...
20/10/2026

When mine rehabilitation funds are misused, communities pay the price. ⚠️

The conviction of two directors and three companies over the misuse of R107.5 million in rehabilitation funds linked to the Optimum and Koornfontein coal mines raises serious concerns about accountability in South Africa’s mining sector.

Speaking to the Mail & Guardian, CER attorney Dimakatso Sefatsa highlights the urgent need for stronger oversight, transparency, and safeguards to ensure rehabilitation funds are protected and used for their intended purpose.

Mining companies must be held accountable for their environmental obligations. Communities should not bear the cost of failed rehabilitation.

🔗 Read the full article: https://mg.co.za/the-green-guardian/2026-10-14-gupta-linked-mine-executives-convicted-of-over-r107-5m-rehabilitation-funds/

5GW of gas. Higher electricity costs. Greater climate risks. ⚠️Civil society organisations, including the Centre for Env...
19/10/2026

5GW of gas. Higher electricity costs. Greater climate risks. ⚠️

Civil society organisations, including the Centre for Environmental Rights, are raising concerns about government's plans to procure 5GW of gas-powered electricity.

The organisations warn that prioritising expensive, imported gas over renewable energy could undermine South Africa's Just Energy Transition and leave households exposed to volatile international gas prices.

South Africa needs affordable, cleaner energy that puts people and communities first.

The law belongs to the people. And this new generation of activists is ready to use it! ✊🏽🎓After three intensive weeks o...
15/10/2026

The law belongs to the people. And this new generation of activists is ready to use it! ✊🏽🎓

After three intensive weeks of learning, collaboration and building practical legal skills, today we celebrate the Rights & Remedies Class of 2026!

From understanding environmental rights to learning how to use the law to defend their communities, these activists are leaving equipped with the knowledge and tools to turn their rights into action.

Here’s to a new chapter of community-led environmental justice!

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 💚

When communities turn to the courts to challenge decisions that threaten their environment and water resources, they are...
13/10/2026

When communities turn to the courts to challenge decisions that threaten their environment and water resources, they are exercising their constitutional rights, not abusing the law.

In a new opinion piece featured in News24, CER’s Pettavia Madibana and Bokang Galogakoe unpack the constitutional questions raised by the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling in the Mabola water-use licence battle.

At the heart of the matter is a fundamental question: should those seeking to hold government accountable be protected or penalised for exercising their rights?

Environmental protection, accountability and the rule of law are not obstacles to development. They are essential to ensuring that development is lawful, just and sustainable.

Read the full opinion: https://www.news24.com/opinions/columnists/opinion-water-licence-battle-development-without-accountability-betrays-the-constitution-20261007-0458

Litigation is not the problem. Unlawful decision-making is.“Civil society does not litigate for the sake of litigation. ...
08/10/2026

Litigation is not the problem. Unlawful decision-making is.

“Civil society does not litigate for the sake of litigation. Nor is judicial review an obstacle to lawful economic development.”

In a recent opinion piece published in Engineering News, Paul Wani Lado examines the debate around establishing a specialised petroleum court in South Africa and challenges the portrayal of environmental litigation as an obstacle to investment and economic development.

He argues that regulatory certainty cannot come at the expense of constitutional rights, meaningful public participation or environmental protection.

Rather than viewing legal challenges as barriers to development, South Africa must address the regulatory shortcomings and unlawful decisions that give rise to litigation in the first place. Investment certainty begins with lawful, transparent and accountable decision-making.

Read the full article here: https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/investment-certainty-starts-with-lawful-decision-making-2026-10-06

Meet Lethabo Ramaphakela, whose work across water justice, environmental education and youth empowerment shows the power...
07/10/2026

Meet Lethabo Ramaphakela, whose work across water justice, environmental education and youth empowerment shows the power of turning knowledge into community action.

Through her work, Lethabo is helping communities better understand their environmental rights, engage with the issues affecting them, and take action towards a more just future.

As we close our Rights & Remedies alumni countdown, we celebrate Lethabo and the many activists continuing to turn learning into action.

💧 Start where you are.

Discover more Faces of Environmental Justice:
https://rightsremedies.org.za/alumni/faces-of-environmental-justice

06/10/2026

From Emalahleni’s coal country to international recognition at Stanford University.

Congratulations to Promise Mabilo, a CER Rights & Remedies alumna and winner of Stanford University’s 2026 Bright Award for Environmental Sustainability.

Promise’s environmental justice work is rooted in Emalahleni, where communities have lived with the devastating impacts of coal pollution for decades.

For Promise, the crisis became personal when her young son developed severe breathing problems and was later diagnosed with asthma. This strengthened her determination to organise and, in 2016, she established the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action.

Through community organising and advocacy, Promise has helped amplify the voices of people affected by fossil fuel pollution and defend their constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and wellbeing.

As a Rights & Remedies alumna, Promise’s journey reflects the power of communities using organising, advocacy, and the law to advance environmental justice.

We celebrate this incredible recognition and the work that continues behind it. ✊🏾🌍

Day 2 of Rights & Remedies: The Power of Communication How do we make sure the stories and issues that matter to our com...
01/10/2026

Day 2 of Rights & Remedies: The Power of Communication

How do we make sure the stories and issues that matter to our communities are heard?

Day 2 focused on effective communication as a tool for advancing rights and access to justice. Participants explored how to:

🎤 Navigate media interviews with confidence
📱 Develop impactful digital media strategies
🤝 Build meaningful, long-term relationships with the media
📸 Use their mobile devices to take compelling photographs that tell stories from their communities

Activists also explored the power of storytelling in communication campaigns to mobilise movements and inspire change.

From shaping clear messages to capturing community experiences, the day offered practical skills to strengthen environmental justice campaigns.

✊🏾 Inform. Amplify. Mobilise. Turn knowledge into action.

DAY 1: RIGHTS & REMEDIES A new cohort of activists from across South Africa 🇿🇦 has begun the Rights & Remedies course, b...
29/09/2026

DAY 1: RIGHTS & REMEDIES

A new cohort of activists from across South Africa 🇿🇦 has begun the Rights & Remedies course, bringing together voices, experiences and struggles from communities across the country.

Over the next few weeks, participants will deepen their knowledge of environmental rights, strengthen their advocacy skills and build connections with fellow activists working for justice in their communities.

We’re excited to welcome the newest members of the Rights & Remedies community. ✊🏾

The Rights & Remedies 2026 cohort is almost ready for graduation!As we count down, we’re celebrating alumni who continu...
29/09/2026

The Rights & Remedies 2026 cohort is almost ready for graduation!

As we count down, we’re celebrating alumni who continue to turn learning into collective action.

Meet Veli Khoza, working alongside mining-affected communities to challenge pollution, strengthen participation and demand accountability.

✊🏾 Rise. Unite. Organise.

Address

2nd Floor, Springtime Studios, 1 Scott Road
Observatory
7925

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:30 - 16:30
Thursday 08:30 - 16:30
Friday 08:30 - 16:30

Telephone

+27214471647

Website

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