The Public Consultation Debate Behind South Africa’s Wildlife Quotas

What should public consultation look like when South Africa sets hunting quotas for elephants, black rhinos, and leopards? And when does consultation help conservation—or become a process that delays important decisions?

In this episode, Mpho Tjiane and Robbie Kroger debate the public consultation requirements surrounding South Africa’s wildlife quota system. Mpho draws on his experience as South Africa’s former deputy director responsible for CITES policy development and implementation, while Robbie challenges the process from the perspective of landowners, professional hunters, and conservation stakeholders.
The discussion explores the legal turning point that changed how quotas are determined: once quota decisions were classified as administrative actions, public consultation became a required part of the process. Mpho explains what government must consider, how public comments are assessed, and why scientific evidence remains central to quota decisions.

Robbie and Mpho also examine whether consultation requirements have improved transparency or created new opportunities for delay and litigation. They discuss how prolonged legal challenges can affect landowners, professional hunters, conservation funding, wildlife management, and South Africa’s rural economy.