Colloquium at the Department of Law, North-West University

At a colloquium at NWU in September 2025 the Wild Law Institute submitted two formal abstracts for potential peer-reviewed publication, marking a significant step toward establishing an academic foundation that will strengthen the initiative’s legal credibility. In these academic forums, the Wild Law Institute presented the legal rationale for recognising Hoerikwaggo as a living entity with inherent rights, situating the initiative within the broader planetary polycrisis and the rapidly evolving global Rights of Nature movement. This included reference to the emerging role of international courts after a ground-breaking judgement which explored Rights of Nature as legal tools to halt and reverse ecological collapse.

These engagements generated dialogue with academics, legal practitioners, and policymakers, allowing the team to explore core arguments and gather critical insights. Should peer-reviewed publications arise from this process, they will play an important role in bolstering legitimacy, informing future legal strategies, and shaping policy development at municipal, provincial, and national levels.

Presenting Table Mountain legal personhood at the University of North West.