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CALS supports Marginalised and Affected Communities Summit

- Lee-Anne Gaertner

Robert Krause and Mazi Choshane are set to represent CALS at the Summit bringing together over 300 representatives from affected communities, workers and allies

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies will be attending the 3rd annual Marginalised and Affected Communities Summit this week. This year’s Summit brings together community representatives, workers and allies to discuss how to shape a just transition in the context of a rush for critical minerals. The Summit takes place on 10 – 11 February 2026 in Johannesburg.

The Marginalised and Affected Communities (MAC) Summit is an annual event hosted by Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), Women Affected by Mining United in Action (WAMUA) and its youth wing which together form the largest movement representing the interests of mining-affected communities in South Africa. The Summit brings together over 300 community representatives, workers and allies from around the country for a strategic gathering to build an organised network to challenge injustice in the mining sector. This year’s theme is “Towards a people-led transition” and focuses on strategies to ensure the transition to clean energy is a just transition.

Acting head of Environmental Justice Robert Krause and attorney Mazi Choshane will be representing the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) based at Wits University at this year’s MAC Summit. Robert Krause has been invited to speak on the plenary “How do the Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy and MPRDA affect communities?” at 11:00 on 11 February.  The session is set to unpack how recent developments may impact communities and what needs to change to address injustice and promote accountability in the mining sector.

“We are at an important crossroads in the mining industry,” says Robert Krause. “The transition away from fossil fuels towards a green economy means that mining companies and governments are trying to secure critical minerals. The South African government has made a commitment to ensuring that this is a just transition and that communities are not left behind, but a large gap remains between rhetoric and reality on the ground.”

“Law and policy reform processes underway will be a test of whether the interests of communities will be accorded real weight,” agrees Mazi Choshane. “Networks are key to advocating for change in a sector that has historically left communities bearing the burdens of mining without sharing in the benefits. The MAC Summit has a crucial role to play in bringing communities together and forging a community-led strategy for change.”

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