NSPCA welcomes long-awaited reform for lion captivity breeding ban

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CAPE TOWN - The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has  welcomed the announcement by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, on the imminent publication of the Lion Prohibition Notice banning new captive lion breeding facilities.   This long-awaited reform marks a pivotal milestone in dismantling an industry built on systemic cruelty, reflecting years of legal action, public advocacy, and inspections by the NSPCA. The prohibition confirms what the NSPCA has long exposed: the captive lion industry has operated largely unabated for decades, inflicting severe animal welfare violations, damaging South Africa’s conservation reputation, and flouting constitutional obligations to protect sentient beings. While limited to new facilities, this ban sends a clear signal that the commodification of lions for tourism, hunting, and the bone trade is no longer defensible. The NSPCA’s decade-long investigations have laid bare the industry’s brutality. O...

Joburg’s Westpark Cemetery nears capacity, SEE burial alternatives



EMMARENTIA -  Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) has announced that Westpark Cemetery, a key burial site since 1956, will reach full capacity by May 2025. With only four months left, the cemetery is now limiting burials to 15 interments a week.

JCPZ acknowledges the emotional and cultural significance of burials and is committed to supporting families during this challenging time. As urban populations grow and burial space diminishes, the city faces increasing pressure to manage its cemetery resources sustainably.

To address this, JCPZ is exploring additional City-owned land for new cemeteries to meet demand over the next 40-50 years. It is also advocating for policy changes to improve burial space efficiency and resource management. Residents are encouraged to review the draft cemetery, parks, and nature reserve bylaws available at:​ Cemeteries and Crematoria.

ALTERNATIVE BURIAL OPTIONS 

JCPZ urges residents to consider sustainable alternatives to ease pressure on​ burial space:

Reopening graves: Families can reuse existing graves for multiple interments, reducing costs and preserving space.
Cremation: A space-saving and environmentally friendly option, increasingly chosen by residents.
Mausoleums: Above-ground chambers allow multiple family burials in a single space.
For first-time burials, families are directed to three active cemeteries with sufficient capacity for the next 30-40 years:

* Olifantsvlei Cemetery (southern Johannesburg)
* Waterval Cemetery (Midrand)
* Diepsloot Cemetery (northern Johannesburg)

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