Environmental Law Experts Convened at the University of Venda for Student and Annual ELA Conference

The Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples’ Rights (IMCHPR) of the Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law hosted the Environmental Law Association (ELA) of South Africa Conference from 08-10 October 2025 at the Research Conference Centre, University of Venda. This event, themed: The Environment and Justifiable Limits on Development (Mupo na Mikano i Tendeleaho kha Mveledziso), brought together university representatives, scholars, legal practitioners, civil society, and government entities to engage in critical issues in environmental law and governance. Representatives from eleven (11) universities in South Africa, namely, Nelson Mandela University, North-West University, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Western Cape, University of Witwatersrand, University of Pretoria, University of South Africa, University of Venda and University of Zululand presented papers at the Conference. Also, entities such as Norton Rose Fulbright, Centre for Environmental Rights, Midlands State University (Zimbabwe), Johannesburg Bar, Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council, South African Human Rights Commission, Danish Institute for Human Rights, Dauphine Université Paris, Juta Publishers, and Dzomo la Mupo contributed substantially to the eventful conference. The conference aimed to address pressing concerns such as climate change, biodiversity protection, sustainable development, and environmental justice, fostering dialogue and collaboration across sectors.

In his opening address, Professor Jegede noted that this conference followed the groundbreaking Memorandum of Association made between UNIVEN and ELA. He observed that ‘we live in a challenging and, at the same time, interesting time of triple planetary crises, where other disciplines and walks of life earnestly and continually wait on the response that the legal field has to offer.’ Yet, environmental law as a subject and its practitioners are fraught with challenges. In his view, it is urgent to save the field from neglect, as it is needed in local, regional and international lives in response to challenges such as climate change denialism, anti-environmentalism and environmental racism. He concluded that students, emerging scholars and experts offer the hope that the future is bright. He then thanked the organising team, especially Dr Melanie Murcott, Chairperson of ELA South Africa, for her support in making the event a reality.

Following the introduction, Dr Murcott introduced the guest and highlighted the diversity of participants from universities and other entities. She described careers and opportunities in the environmental law field. She advised students to use their skills, such as research, communication, and indigenous knowledge, to make a difference.
The programme featured a series of sessions with presentations from various institutions, each offering knowledge exchange, fresh perspectives on environmental challenges and solutions relevant to South African communities. These sessions are: Towards environmental justice for South African communities chaired by Professor Oliver Fuo from North-West University; and Novel Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation, led by Megan Donald from the Danish Institute for Human Rights; Tackling energy security and justice, chaired by Nonhlanhla Ngcobo of North-West University; Ecological perspectives on environmental governance led by Emily Barritt from Dauphine Université Paris – PSL; improving environmental governance in cities, chaired by Wendy Muzangaza, North West University; and Innovative approaches to preventing and controlling environmental harms, North-West University.

The student conference programme concluded with a prize-giving ceremony sponsored by Juta Publishers, celebrating outstanding student presenters and essay competition winners.

Building on the momentum of the programme of Day 1, Prof Kanyane officially opened the Annual ELA on Day 2. The official opening followed an excursion by participants to the Vuthanda Sacred Place, where they participated in a traditional engagement with the local Chief, an experiential ceremony honouring the land and indigenous heritage, setting a reflective tone for the days ahead. The formal conference, which featured the first keynote speaker, Vho Mphatheleni Makaulule, Founder and Executive Director of Dzomo la Mupo, was chaired by Professor Jegede.

Vho Makaulule delivered a deeply rooted and provocative address on the role of indigenous knowledge in achieving environmental justice. Speaking on behalf of her community-based organisation and allied eco-rights movements, she honoured the female elders and custodians of culture. Her message centred on the sacredness of indigenous life systems, which she described as ancient wisdom passed down through generations, not taught in classrooms, but lived through intergenerational learning. She emphasised that true development and environmental protection must respect indigenous boundaries, languages, and ecosystems, especially sacred forests, rivers, wetlands, and traditional agricultural practices. Her speech was a call to action: to honour the Miikano (forest clusters), protect sacred sites, and uphold the wisdom of the ancestors as a path to resilience and justice. “We cannot talk about justifiable or acceptable development if we do not go back to our original language. This language carries the intangible, which we cannot see with our eyes or touch, but is in the indigenous knowledge,” she advised and cautioned that the proposed Makhado Musina special economic zone project must respect the indigenous worldview about the environment.

Afternoon sessions featured key discussions on environmental law and governance. Robert Krause (University of the Witwatersrand) chaired the session on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Environmental Law, with presentations by Amelia Heyns on Natural Justice and Tumiso Kobolo (University of Venda). Khutso Delphus Maela (University of Venda) led the session on Extractivism and Justifiable Development, featuring contributions from Oliver Fuo (North-West University) and Adelaide Karomo (Nelson Mandela University). The day ended with a networking dinner at Khoroni Hotel, offering a relaxed space for reflection and connection.

Day 2 of the Conference featured an insightful keynote address from Megan Donald, of the Danish Institute for Human Rights. Her address explored the intersection of environmental degradation and economic, social and cultural rights, urging legal practitioners and policymakers to adopt inclusive, rights-based approaches to climate governance. Her insights sparked robust discussions throughout the day, reinforcing the urgency of aligning environmental law with human dignity and justice.

The programme continued with presentations and dialogues that built on Megan’s themes, drawing attention to the lived realities of vulnerable communities and the role of law in advancing equitable climate action.

The conference concluded with closing remarks by Nicola Irving, Vice Chairperson of the Environmental Law Association of South Africa, affirming the sector’s commitment to inclusive, rights-based environmental governance. She described how attending her first ELA conference opened the door to a vibrant community of environmental law practitioners and helped shape her focus on environmental justice and children’s rights. She encouraged junior attendees to stay engaged, affirming the value of connection, collaboration, and continued learning. She also acknowledged the effort of participants in making it to the conference and expressed appreciation for their time and intellectual contributions. Formal thanks were extended to Ismail Mahomed Centre, UNIVEN team for being a wonderful host.

Through the IMCHPR, UNIVEN continues to expand its footprint on the intersection of environmental law with human rights, positioning itself as a leading voice in advancing both environmental and human rights law in South Africa and beyond.

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University of Venda