Groundwork South Africa
groundWork is a non-profit and non-governmental environmental justice service and developmental organization working primarily in South Africa but increasingly in Southern Africa. groundWork places particular emphasis on assisting vulnerable and previously disadvantaged people who are most affected by environmental injustices. groundWork seeks to improve the quality of life of these marginalised groups of people in South Africa through assisting civil society to have a greater impact on environmental governance.[1]
The organisation has four main campaigns, namely Air Quality, Climate and Energy Justice, Waste and Environmental Health. These campaigns are not isolated rather the work overlaps across campaigns.[2]
groundWork is the South African member of Friends of the Earth International, which is the world's largest grassroots environmental network with 74 member groups.[3]
History
groundWork was formed in 1999 in Pietermaritzburg in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.
Section 24, Constitution of South Africa
groundWork is guided by Section 24 of the 1996 Constitution of South Africa, and in particular (a) of this section.
24. (Environment).Everyone has the right:
(a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
(b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations,
through reasonable legislative and other measures
(i) prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
(ii)promote conservation; and
(iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources
while promoting justifiable economic and social development.[4]