Assessing the Environmental Leadership of South Africa Over Three Decades

South Africa's journey in environmental governance since the dawn of democracy has been akin to navigating through stormy seas – bouts of progress with strong environmental stewardship interspersed with periods of policy dilemmas and controversial decisions, reflecting the complexity of integrating environmental priorities with socio-economic realities.

Nelson Mandela's legacy included the crucial step of embedding environmental rights into the South African Constitution. However, the blend of sustainability within the social and economic fabric of the nation was far from straightforward. South Africa inherited a sclerotic bureaucratic framework of environmental legislation and policies, often unsuited to the task of promoting genuine sustainable development.

Under the Government of National Unity, Dawie de Villiers of the National Party was the first to carry the baton of environmental affairs and tourism. Despite his controversial hazardous waste management policy that sparked outrage, he set the foundation upon which future strides could be made.

Pallo Jordan, known for his intellectual acumen, as the environmental affairs and tourism minister evolved the portfolio to espouse sustainable development. From halting the destruction of the habitat of the Brenton Blue butterfly to pioneering the Environmental Impact Assessment regime, Jordan's tenure was instrumental in creating a participatory and inclusive environmental policy landscape.

Valli Moosa's period in office is largely viewed as a golden era for the environmental sector. From declaring war on the ubiquitous plastic bag to establishing marine protected areas and initiating pivotal international environmental discourses, Moosa's impact resonated domestically and internationally. Nevertheless, he faced criticism from civic bodies for a perceived inaction on corporate pollution.

Marthinus van Schalkwyk's tenure as minister continued the momentum by integrating various legislative tools, enriching conservation efforts and addressing critical issues such as the ivory trade and air quality management. His proactive approach secured significant landmarks in both tourism and environmental stewardship.

The formation of the new water and environmental affairs department under Buyelwa Sonjica heralded a focus on issues such as acid mine drainage and wildlife crime. While some of her efforts were shrouded in controversy, the Green Drop report under her tenure spotlighted the dire state of wastewater management in the country.

Edna Molewa, who served until her untimely death in 2018, was a fervent advocate of the environment, particularly in the global fight against climate change. Her role in the Paris Agreement and consistent efforts in combating poaching were commendable. However, she too was not immune to criticism, especially for decisions around emissions exemptions and coal mining in protected areas.

Following Molewa, the mantle passed briefly to Derek Hanekom and Nomvula Mokonyane, before Barbara Creecy took over the reins. Creecy, currently the minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment, has steered the department towards achieving a majority of its targets with a 98% budget expenditure and an unqualified audit for the 2022-23 financial year. She's played an integral role in progressing the Climate Change Bill and championed biodiversity conservation through the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Yet, challenges remain with civil society groups expressing concern over seeming contradictions between regulatory decisions and climate commitments. Decisions around Karpowership’s projects and TotalEnergies' drilling operations off Cape Point have resulted in backlash, demonstrating the ongoing tension between developmental aspirations and environmental custodianship.

The journey of South Africa's environmental policy thus far is graded a C+, capturing both the strides and stumbles of a nation's quest to harmonize the health of its environment with the aspirations of its people.