South African Wildlife-Producer Communities Demand Political Support for Sustainable Use in 2024 Elections
CASA Nature, supported by internationally recognised experts, aims to create a community learning platform linking people, nature, and the economy.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — In a historic move, wildlife-producer communities across all nine provinces of South Africa have declared that they will not vote for any political party in the 2024 general elections unless the party supports their cause for sustainable use of wild animals and plant products, including international hunting, writes Emmanuel Koro.
This unprecedented announcement came through a press statement issued by the newly formed Community Association of South Africans in Natural Resources (CASA Nature).
The formation of CASA Nature, announced in a press statement, aims to advocate for and communicate the needs of South African wildlife-producer rural communities.
The organization emphasizes the importance of benefiting from natural resources through practices such as international hunting, trade in wildlife products, medicinal plants products, and participation in nature markets, including the sale of carbon credits.
Chairperson of CASA Nature, Ms. Esther Netshivhongweni, stated, "It’s the only independent and non-politically influenced community voice for advocating for the significant conservation and socio-economic benefits of the current and future generations arising from the sustainable use of our natural resources."
The organization is backed by South African Constitution Section 24 and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, allowing them to demand benefits from community economic opportunities related to carbon credits, international hunting, the space economy (clean energy and space technology), and the growing biological diversity credit sector.
CASA Nature called on all political parties to clarify their positions on sustainable use of South African natural resources in the run-up to the 2024 general elections.
The press release stated, "They should put these issues on their political campaign agenda to show whether they stand with or against CASA Nature’s call for immediate sustainable use commitment."
The organization expressed concern that the current political party manifestos are silent on issues related to the sustainable use of natural resources, including international hunting, trade in wildlife products, and the harvesting of medicinal plants for conservation and development.
Ms. Netshivhongweni stressed the universal nature of CASA Nature's modules, saying, "While we have eight member states leading the development, these modules are for use by all the 55 member states of the African Union."
CASA Nature also urged the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE) not to rush the consultation process on the current white paper on conservation and sustainable use, emphasising the need for communities to understand the implications of proposed changes.
The organisation recommended a more inclusive and thorough consultative process, citing the Mpumalanga Bushbuck Ridge meeting as an example of a rushed process that failed to empower communities effectively.
CASA Nature, supported by internationally recognised experts, aims to create a community learning platform linking people, nature, and the economy.
Ms. Netshivhongweni emphasized the urgent responsibility to design the platform, stating, "Without benefits from natural resources, not a single community is going to see the need to conserve them."