5 minutes with the Environmental Law Association 

In this month’s column De Rebus news editor Nomfundo Manyathi spoke to Peter Kantor, chairperson of the Environmental Law Association (ELA), about the organisation. 

What is the ELA?

The ELA is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote the development, teaching, application and practise of environmental law.

What does the ELA do?

The organisation consists of members from different environmentally relevant disciplines who network and share information and knowledge in the field of environmental law. 

The ELA holds an annual conference, provides regional seminars and workshops, liaises with environmental affairs departments, comments on policy and legislation and networks with other organisations in the field. 

When was the ELA established?

The ELA was established in December 1991.  

Who can become a member of the ELA?

Anyone with an active interest in the development and application of environmental law can apply for membership.  Environmental law practitioners, students and academics; environmental consultants; government officials and lawyers generally will all benefit from the activities that the ELA is engaged in.

How does one become a member?

Those interested can download an application form from www.elasa.co.za or can request a form from the secretariat. Membership fees are R 500 per year and R 250 for students, candidate attorneys and seniors.

What is the ELA’s current membership?

We currently have 150 members. 

Does the ELA have offices in each province or just a national office? 

The organisation is operated by a secretariat, which is hosted at the faculty of law of the North-West University at the Potchefstroom Campus, and an executive committee comprising representatives of different regions in South Africa and a number of ad hoc members. It has representatives in each province.

Contact information
The ELA secretariat
Tel: (018) 299 1954
Fax: (018) 299 1923
E-mail: enviro.association.sa@gmail.com
Website: www.elasa.co.za

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Nomfundo Manyathi, nomfundo@derebus.org.za