Formerly known as the Department of Environmental Affairs. The DFFE is tasked with protecting, conserving, and improving the South African environment and natural resources. Alongside the DFFE, several other agencies and statutory bodies support environmental management, each focusing on specific aspects of environmental conservation, protection, and sustainable use of natural resources.
The legal mandate and core business of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) are to manage, protect and conserve South Africa’s environment and natural resources. The mandate is informed by section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996), which affords everyone the right to (a) 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.