Parliament, Tuesday, 22 September 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment today reviewed its performance for the 2025/26 financial year and adopted its 2026/27 annual performance plan, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening oversight, accountability and public participation in advancing South Africa’s environmental rights and sustainable development agenda.
The committee noted with satisfaction that it achieved nine of its eleven planned targets during the 2025/26 financial year and exceeded its annual meeting target, convening 29 meetings against a planned minimum of 20. Oversight and accountability remained the committee's strongest area of performance, demonstrating Parliament’s commitment to ensuring that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and its entities remain responsive and accountable to the people of South Africa.
The committee’s oversight work contributed to several notable developments in the environmental sector. These included improvements in audit outcomes across the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and its entities, enhanced implementation of environmental programmes, progress in addressing human-wildlife conflict through interventions relating to the Mawana elephants, improved operations at state nurseries, declining rhino poaching levels, and strengthened community beneficiation initiatives linked to conservation areas.
The committee also observed positive developments in visitor numbers and revenue generation within national parks, botanical gardens and other conservation institutions.
Despite these achievements, the committee acknowledged that South Africa continues to face significant environmental challenges that require urgent and sustained intervention. These include deteriorating air quality in pollution hotspots, climate change impacts, weak waste management systems, biodiversity loss, invasive species, habitat degradation, underperforming forestry resources and delays in implementing strategic programmes such as the Oceans Economy Master Plan.
The committee remains concerned that improvements in governance and administration have not always translated into measurable environmental outcomes and improved quality of life for citizens.
The committee further noted that environmental governance cannot be achieved in isolation. Persistent coordination challenges between national departments, provinces, municipalities and public entities continue to undermine effective implementation. Strengthening intergovernmental collaboration and ensuring that environmental programmes deliver tangible benefits on the ground will therefore remain a central focus of the committee’s oversight programme.
Looking ahead, the committee’s 2026/27 annual performance plan emphasises strengthening oversight of the department, its entities and other institutions with shared environmental responsibilities. Key priorities include improving air-quality monitoring and environmental law enforcement, advancing climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives, overseeing climate finance commitments, supporting sustainable forestry and fisheries development, promoting biodiversity conservation and monitoring the implementation of Operation Phakisa programmes within the oceans, biodiversity and waste economy sectors.
The committee will continue to advocate for the realisation of Section 24 of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and wellbeing. Particular attention will be given to addressing environmental pollution, improving waste management, supporting the establishment and functionality of fire protection associations, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources and enhancing participation by communities in environmental value chains and economic opportunities.
During the 2026/27 financial year, the committee intends to convene a minimum of 20 meetings on priority environmental matters, undertake oversight visits, strengthen collaboration with other parliamentary committees on cross-cutting issues, engage with stakeholders on key sector challenges, monitor the implementation of international environmental agreements, and participate in international parliamentary engagements focused on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development.
The committee also plans to implement the Robben Island clean-up campaign as part of Parliament's contribution to promoting greener institutions and environmental awareness.
The committee believes that environmental protection and sustainable development are not mutually exclusive. Effective environmental governance can support economic growth, create jobs, strengthen climate resilience and improve the quality of life of communities. Through robust oversight, constructive engagement and evidence-based recommendations, the committee will continue to hold institutions accountable while supporting initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable development.
The committee remains committed to ensuring that South Africa’s forests, fisheries and environmental resources are managed sustainably for the benefit of present and future generations and that environmental rights become a lived reality for all communities.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, MS NQABISA GANTSHO.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson of the committee please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender (Ms)
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: sugovender@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour