Name the four environmental narratives identified in SA.

the conservation,

the economic,

non-state actors and

local views.

What is the objective and motive for each narrative?

The conservation

The purpose of the conservation environmental narrative is to preserve the nature and maintain its ecosystem. 

The economic

The environment is primarily viewed as the raw material that can be bought and sold, where the colonises exploit the environment and the local people for their benefit. This view was presented as the socio-economic development and the transformation in the country. The motive is to sell the untapped resources for profit and the development of the poor communities.

Non-state actors

These views derived from external parties that operate independently from any form of government namely NGO. Emphases on the worth of the environment, control how communities and the government manage the environment. The motive is to preserve the integrity of the natural environment while supportive of the economic growth for the benefit of the locals.

Local community views 

The socio-political context shapes the relationship with the environment. These views reveal that colonisation or apartheid policies distorted the relationship between people and environment. 

• Do these narratives contribute to an understanding of the SA environment (look at the critique of each narrative and reflect on it to come to your own conclusion).

• What are the two main environmental discourses in SA, according to Stewart and Zaaiman? Briefly describe each one. 

Sustainable development

• It is defined as the development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. It incorporate integration of economic growth, social development and environmental protection into national, regional and international planning and decision making. It requires co-operation commitment and co-ordination of all efforts with the development partnerships. Its desired outcome is to sustain development. It emphasis on the participation of the citizen and organisation in all locality.

Environmental and social justice.

This discourse focus on the rights of the people who are treated insignificant, voiceless, powerless. It also focus on the rights of the deprived communities according to their class, gender, race, ethnicity and geographical locations.

• How does the Sustainable Development discourse link to the SA policies? Use the class readings as references from which to motivate your answer.

• The post-apartheid environmental policy frameworks incorporate principles of sustainable development and social and environmental justice. Government use sustainable development to rectify the historical inequality that was created by the apartheid regime. The link SA environmental policies to sustainability and social justice.