Abstract
This dissertation critically examines Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy v Sustaining the Wild Coast NPC and Others (2024 ZASCA 84) through the lens of corporate social responsibility (CSR), with a focus on consultation, community participation and environmental justice. The analysis demonstrates that extractive activities on the Wild Coast have historically amplified socio-economic disparities, marginalised local voices, and compromised ecosystems. By situating the case within the legal and ethical obligations of corporations, the study argues that genuine CSR extends beyond formal compliance, requiring meaningful and equitable engagement with affected communities and proactive environmental stewardship. The dissertation further highlights how participatory decision-making can reconcile social equity, environmental protection, and procedural legitimacy, offering a framework for more just and sustainable development practices. Finally, it critically assesses whether current CSR approaches in the Wild Coast area genuinely promote social and environmental justice or primarily serve as instruments of corporate legitimation.