Annual Conference 2025 – Environment and Justifiable Limits on Development

Hosted by the Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and People’s Rights, School of Law, University of Venda

Dates

• 8 October – Student Conference
• 9-10 October – Annual Conference
• 11 October – ELA AGM; Excursion to the Nwanedi Resort

Theme

When is development justifiable?

  

We will publish a call for abstracts and registration form soon

Please save the date and join us for insightful inputs from:

• leading, globally recognised environmental law academics.
• activists seeking to defend the environment in Limpopo, such as Living Limpopo and the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve.
• practising lawyers in the environmental law space.
• the broader scientific community focused on the relationship between development and the environment.

The ELA is committed to bringing together diverse voices in pursuit of the protection, promotion and fulfilment of the environmental right. Our conferences offer a rare opportunity to connect with a complex and growing community in the environmental governance space.

Conference highlights

For the first time the ELA is hosting its conferences in the Limpopo Province, in collaboration with the Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and People’s Rights, School of Law, University of Venda. Our exciting collaboration draws attention to an often peripheralised, highly significant part of South Africa. Here are some facts about Limpopo:

• It is 125 754 km², a land area larger than many countries, including Portugal and Malawi.
• Its population is around 5 million people.
• It is home to some of South Africa’s most important biodiversity, including in the Mopani; Vhembe; Capricorn; Waterberg; Sekhukhune districts.
• The “Big Tree” or Sagole Baobab is located near Thohoyandou in Vendaland, Limpopo. It is a massive baobab tree considered the largest in South Africa, with a trunk diameter of 10.8 meters and a circumference of 32.89 meters.
• The Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone is planned in Limpopo, and is currently subject to a legal challenge given its proposed clearance of between 3868ha-8000ha of pristine land in Limpopo in preparation for the development of a 3 300 MW coal-fired power station and other heavy industrial activities.

Excursion to Nwanedi Resort: 11 October

Our conferences showcase the complexity of Limpopo: its beauty and the benefits and risks of economic development. On 11 October, we will visit the Nwanedi Resort. This stunning resort is situated inside Nwanedi Nature Reserve, a protected area in the northern part of Limpopo. It is located about 20 km east of Tshipise and 35 km north of Thohoyandou.

The Nwanedi Nature Reserve includes a part of the wooded foothills of the Soutpansberg Range. It is located in the centre of the majestic Venda Mountains in the northern parts of Limpopo. Further, varied landscapes, rich diversity of animals, and the awesome Nwanedi and Luphephe dams characterise this resort. It features a spectacular waterfall, known as Tshihovhohovho Falls. The Nwanedi Nature Reserve is in the Soutpansberg or “Tha-vhani ya muno” (mountain of salt) which is in the traditional area of the Venda people. And, it is rich in plant diversity with Yellowwood trees, twelve Acacia species, including Fever Trees, Giant Cabbage Trees, Proteas and ancient Tree Ferns.

Conference organising committee

The members of the conference organising committee are:

• Dr Melanie Murcott, Chairperson of the ELA, Associate Professor, UCT
• Prof. Ademola Oluborode Jegede, Limpopo Representative of the ELA, Director, Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples’ Rights, School of Law, University of Venda
• Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, Treasurer of the ELA, Lecturer, NWU
• Nicola Irving, Vice-Chairperson of the ELA, Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright
• Mikaella Bodeux, Secretary of the ELA, Attorney, Warburton Attorneys
• Margot Slabbert, Social Media Manager of the ELA
• Saritha Marias, Secretariat of the ELA, Personal Assistant, Office of the Dean, NWU
• Cornelia Van Graan, Lecturer, Department of Public Law (Criminal Procedure), School of Law, University of Venda
• Ndzumbululo Mulaudzi, Intern, Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples’ Rights, Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law, University of Venda

Related:

UNIVEN School of Law facilitates another successful Corporate Governance Training Community Engagement and Outreach Project Corporate Governance Training Workshop