Table Mountain should be seen as a being, not just an object – Environmental Attorney

John Maytham (in for Lester Kiewit on CapeTalk) speaks with Cormac Cullinan, environmental attorney, author and lead in the global Rights of Nature movement.

Listen below:

A new environmental initiative is pushing for Table Mountain, or Hoerikwaggo, to be recognised as a legal subject.

If the initiative is successful, Table Mountain will have inherent rights rather than being seen as just a piece of land, says Cullinan.

“Instead of seeing it as simply a national park or an object, if we saw it as a being with whom we should maintain good relations, it could transform our relationship to the mountain and our relationship to nature in general.”

- Cormac Cullinan, Environmental Attorney 

He adds that they are hoping this will shift the way people see the mountain, even if it is not signed into law, as the love for the mountain is what will protect it in the long run.

“The mountain is the most uniting platform we could have for the people in Cape Town. It cuts across race and class and colour and age. I think we all love the mountain.”

- Cormac Cullinan, Environmental Attorney 

A public engagement meeting is taking place in Cape Town to explore the idea at 6pm this evening at Erin Hall in Rondebosch.

RELATED: #SaveTableMountain: Community groups demand action on crime, trail decay, and funding

Interested persons are asked to arrive from 5:30pm.

Cullinan says the main idea of this meeting is to educate people about the initiative, and encourage them to join the cause.

“We are really trying to spread the idea as wide as possible, and invite interested people to participate.”

- Cormac Cullinan, Environmental Attorney 

Scroll up to the audio player for more.