Creative by Nature

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT HEARS LANDMARK CASE ON WILDLIFE WELL-BEING

Stepping into South Africa’s apex court is always a profoundly moving experience. Built on the historic site of the Old Fort Prison Complex in Braamfontein, the Constitutional Court stands as a symbol of South Africa’s transition from oppression to constitutional democracy. It is a space shaped by some of the country’s most influential jurists, from Arthur Chaskalson and Pius Langa to Dikgang Moseneke and Edwin Cameron, whose jurisprudence has fundamentally transformed the understanding of dignity, equality, justice, and constitutional accountability in South Africa.

On 26 May 2026, the Constitutional Court heard what may become one of the most consequential environmental and ethical matters in modern South African jurisprudence. At the centre of the dispute lies a deceptively simple issue - the inclusion of the concept of “well-being” within the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA). Yet beneath that single word lies a far deeper constitutional question: whether South Africa’s biodiversity governance framework will continue evolving in line with constitutional jurisprudence recognising that animals, including wild animals, are sentient beings with intrinsic value whose well-being matters.

The matter before the Court - South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association v Speaker of the National Assembly and Others (CCT 270/24) - concerns an attempt by hunting industry interests to strike down the “well-being” provisions incorporated into NEMBA.

The South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SAHGCA) argued that Parliament failed to facilitate meaningful public participation before incorporating wildlife “well-being” provisions into the legislation. According to SAHGCA, the final wording of the definition changed after the public participation process and therefore violated sections 59(1)(a) and 72(1)(a) of the Constitution, which require Parliament to facilitate public involvement in legislative processes.

SAHGCA contends that the definition of well-being was changed after the public participation process and that this amounts to a failure to comply with the constitutional obligation to facilitate public involvement in legislative processes. It further argues that because the impugned provisions rely on the definition of well-being, the alleged defect invalidates the broader legislative amendments.

The EMS Foundation intervened in the proceedings as the fifteenth respondent, represented by Advocate Ian Learmonth and environmental law firm Cullinan and Associates, opposing the challenge and defending the inclusion of wildlife well-being within South African environmental law.

The EMS Foundation argued that the changes made during the legislative process were not materially different from the concepts already subjected to years of public consultation and therefore did not invalidate Parliament’s public participation obligations. The Foundation further argued that the application was not brought timeously and that striking down the well-being provisions would be entirely inconsistent with current constitutional jurisprudence regarding the protection of animals.

The EMS Foundation’s view is that it would be entirely inconsistent with existing constitutional jurisprudence and current policy relating to wild animals if the immediate striking out of the well-being provisions is granted, leaving South Africa’s framework biodiversity legislation devoid of any meaningful provision recognising the well-being of non-human animals.

The hearing was marked by sustained and probing engagement from the Constitutional Court bench. Throughout proceedings, the Judges repeatedly interrogated the central issue of materiality: whether the amendments complained of by SAHGCA were truly so significant that they invalidated Parliament’s public participation process and rendered the legislation unconstitutional.

READ our full statement:

https://emsfoundation.org.za/constitutional-court-hears-landmark-case-on-wildlife-well-being/

©️EMS Foundation 2026

Nature Club at Grow Parkhurst 🌿✨ Incredible Edible Parkhurst

Etherealize.inc and Grow Parkhurst are offering a Nature Club class little nature explorers and their grown-ups 🍃🎨

Spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful Grow Parkhurst grounds, connecting with nature, and enjoying a little bit of nature arts and crafts together. The idea is to create a fun, creative outdoor space where kids can learn, explore, get messy, and enjoy the magic of nature 🌱

📍 Grow Parkhurst near the tennis courts at Verity Park.
🕒 Wednesdays | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

It's not too late to join the next one!

To join the next one contact 072 159 6426

A portion of workshop fees go toward looking after Verity Park and the surrounds, a project by:
Parkhurst Residents and Business Owners Association

Happening now at Grow Parkhurst 🌿✨

Etherealize.inc and Grow Parkhurst are offering a Nature Club class little nature explorers and their grown-ups 🍃🎨

We’ll be spending the afternoon exploring the beautiful Grow Parkhurst grounds, connecting with nature, and enjoying a little bit of nature arts and crafts together. The idea is to create a fun, creative outdoor space where kids can learn, explore, get messy, and enjoy the magic of nature 🌱

We’d absolutely love to extend complimentary access to you to come and experience a class with us 💚

🧢 Please bring:
• A hat
• A water bottle
• Something comfy that can get a little messy

📍 Grow Parkhurst
🕒 Wednesdays May | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

It's not too late to pop in, or join the next one!

To join the next one contact 072 159 6426

Proceeds go toward looking after Verity Park and the surrounds.

Incredible Edible Parkhurst

Can't wait to see you soon ✨️ 🌼

HELP MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN! ✨ We’re looking for local legends to join the 2026 Parkhurst Village Fair Crew.

Whether you have a specific skill or just want to lend a hand, we need you! Date: Saturday, 3 October. Scan to sign up by 31 May or email [email protected]

The Roles:

Creative Souls: Photographers & Videographers
Event Orchestrators: Entertainment & Stage Management

The Support Squad: Welcome Crew & Child Minders

Services in Kind: Waste Collection, Bar Tenders, & Car Guards

Thanks from Sniffari Park!
Thanks to everyone who shared feedback!
Whether positive or negative, your input is valued and helps shape Sniffari to meet the community’s needs.
More on our soft launch soon—watch this space!
Get in touch if you’re interested in the opportunities on the poster.
Questions: [email protected]

Look out for the:

*Arts and Crafts — Nature Club 🌿🎨* at Grow Parkhurst

an immersive learning and creative experience

create your own natural paints and dyes
create recycled paper
explore the GrowParkhurst grounds
use organic materials to create expression art and esthetical art practices
support wildlife and biodiversity through organic art

Grow • plant • explore nature • create

*Wednesdays*
*3:00pm – 4:00pm*
📍 *GrowParkhurst*
*Ages 6- 12*
*R250 per class*

A portion of each ticket sale donated to PRABOA to support upkeep in and around Verity Park ✨️

Etherealize.inc
arts and crafts nature club
I Love Parkhurst
GrowParkhurst/ Incredible Edible Parkhurst

*Book now*
https://forms.gle/ZTsYTmE7KBZu2vob7

Contact us on all socials
inc
Contact Zahraa 072 159 6426
Find us on quicket - Etherealize.inc

Immersive holistic learning through play and creative expression

✏️🌱 🎨 ✨

*presenting the self studio by Etherealize.inc*🎨

an immersive learning and creative experience

*EQ Building Art Classes for Teens*

Emotional Intelligence is, simply put, a set of skills that can help us navigate life.

Explore these skills through safe, expressive spaces.

Learning to understand yourself, and the world around you.

art • play • creativity • expression

Engaging topics like:
the self
our emotions
goal setting
understanding people
and our environment

*Fridays*
*3:00pm – 4:30pm*
*📍 Grow Parkhurst*🌱
*R250 per teen*
*Ages 13-18*

A portion of each ticket sale donated to PRABOA to support upkeep in and around Verity Park ✨️

Etherealize.inc
the self studio
I Love Parkhurst
Grow Parkhurst / Incredible Edible Parkhurst

Book now :
https://forms.gle/ZTsYTmE7KBZu2vob7

Contact us on all socials
inc
Zahraa at 072 159 6426

Immersive holistic learning through play and creative expression

✏️ 🎨 ✨

IT TAKES A VILLAGE! ❤️✨Help us build the magic from the ground up! We are looking for "in-kind" donations to support your Parkhurst Village Fair operations.

What we need:

🎨 Creative Supplies: Paints, paper, pens, crayons, pastels, pin boards and art materials.

🧼 Essentials: Toilet paper, hand soap, hand sanitizer.

🧹 The Garden Crew: Spades, rakes, brooms, wheelbarrows

🦺 The Safety Team: Traffic cones, Danger Tape, Rebar, Walkie Talkies, PPE, Caps, Hats, Reflective Vests, Gloves and Name Badges, Signage and Easels.

Got items to spare? Every bit helps PRABOA keep this fair "by the community, for the community.

Scan to express your interest by 31 May or email [email protected]

Join our friends Jozi Trails Management Company to learn about biodiversity in urban spaces:

This website was made specifically for Johannesburg, South Africa, and we would like anyone else wanting the same thing for their city to work with us to make that happen.If you are interested, sign up for the launch and reach out afterwards so we can work together and make one for your city too.

Why join?
You’ll get early access to:

✓ A growing library of practical tools and resources
✓ Insights from collaborations in South Africa, Colombia and Mexico
✓ Opportunities to connect with a wider network of practitioners and cities

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026

Location: Online Event

Register: https://biodivercitycollective.org/launch/

Time:
Johannesburg: 4:00-5:00 PM (SAST)
Pereira, Colombia: 9:00-10:00 AM
Mérida, Mexico: 8:00-9:00 AM