Can SA balance development and conservation? Insights from the National Biodiversity Offset Conference

CEO of SANBI, Shonisani Munzhedzi, DG of DFFE, Noma Tshabalala, Deputy Resident Representative at the UNDP South Africa Country Office, Gloria Kiondo and CEO of SANParks, Hapiloe Sello at the DFFE's environmental conservation conference at the DBSA on May 22, 2025.
Image: Supplied, Michael Mokoena DFFE
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) on Thursday embarked on the first day of two-day-long National Biodiversity Offset conference at the Southern African Development Bank (DBSA) in Midrand, Gauteng.
This conference was held in collaboration with the DBSA, South African Biodiversity Institute, and aimed to facilitate engagement among stakeholders and communities.
During her remarks at the conference, Director General of the DFFE, Nomfundo Tshabalala, said: "We as DFFE, working with our entities, understand that we have to strike a balance between development and conserving the biodiversity and ecosystem of our country."
DFFE director General, Noma Tshabalala addressing the DFFE's environmental conservation conference
Image: Supplied, Michael Mokoena, DFFE
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Tshabalala emphasised that people, entities, and businesses should follow protocol when dealing with land and the environment to avoid violating the regulations and causing harm to the environment.
"We have a website which will show the geographic landscape of South Africa, showing where there is development, and what it is that you're investing in as you develop an area, to ensure that you offset and you don't deplete conservation in that area," Tshabalala remarked
The department's spokesperson, Michael Mokoena, said: "Biodiversity offsetting is one of the ways in which South Africa's Protected and Conservation Areas can be expanded, thereby promoting conservation. It also helps to secure ecologically sustainable development as it mitigates the adverse impact of economic and social development on biodiversity."
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, South Africa's biodiversity is in great danger of extinction, with the National Red List assessments indicating that 10% of South Africa's birds and frogs, 20% of mammals, and 13% of plant species are threatened. The DFFE has attributed this to pollution, climate change, global warming, and the expansion of residential and industrial land.
The Convention on Biological Diversity warned: "The loss and degradation of South Africa's biodiversity has serious implications for society and the economy.
Natural ecosystems provide many essential services, such as the provision of clean water and air, prevention of soil erosion, pollination of crops, provision of medicinal plants, nutrient cycling, provision of food and shelter, as well as meeting spiritual, cultural, aesthetic, and recreational needs."
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