PParliamentarliament ttakesakes a wwalkalk In this issue

groundWork is a non-profi t environmental justice service and developmental 3 From the Smoke Stack organization working primarily in South Africa, but increasingly in Southern 5 MPs do the fi re walk Africa. groundWork seeks to improve the quality of life of vulnerable people in 6 Don’t frack with the Karoo Southern Africa through assisting civil society to have a greater impact on 8 Manipulation of a desperate community environmental governanace. groundWork places particular emphasis on assisting vulnerable and previously disadvantaged 9 Six years and going strong people who are most affected by environmental injustices. 11 Supporting African mercury projects groundWork’s current campaign areas are: Climate Justice and Energy, Coal, 13 CC and health: an inseparable pain Waste and Environmental Health. groundWork is constituted as a trust. The Chairperson of the Board of 15 Community screenings of coal fi lm Trustees is Joy Kistnasamy, lecturer in environmental health at the Durban 17 Corporate SA says NO to climate policy University of Technology. The other trustees are: Farid Esack, Patrick Kulati, Richard Lyster, Sandile Ndawonde and 18 Motsepe pulls out of South Africa Jon White. 19 Toxic relationship groundWork’s STAFF ARE: Director: Bobby Peek 20 The Shore Break Deputy Director: Gill Addison Administrative Assistant: Bathoko Sibisi Waste Campaign Manager: Musa Chamane Coal Campaign Manager: Robby Mokgalaka Help us spread the word Research Manager: Rico Euripidou Twitter www.facebook.com/ Junior Environmental Health Campaign @groundWorkSA Manager: Luqman Yesufu groundWorkSA Media, Information and Publications Campaign Manager: Megan Lewis Bookkeeper: Gill Waterworth AFFILIATIONS: groundWork is affi liated to the following international HOW TO CONTACT US: organizations: 6 Raven Street Health Care Without Harm Pietermaritzburg International POPs Elimination Network P O Box 2375, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 Basel Action Network Tel: 033-342-5662 Oilwatch International Fax: 033-342-5665 Global Anti-Incineration Alliance e-mail: [email protected] Web: www.groundWork.org.za groundWork is the South African member of Friends of the Earth International CREDITS: Printed on recycled paper from Sappi Fine Papers Layout by Boutique Books – Printing by ArrowPrint

Cover: Members of Parliament are taken for a walk as part of an educational “toxic tour”, prior to a meeting with affected communities. Credit: groundWork

- 2 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 -

From the Smoke Stack Photo by FoE

by groundWork Director, Bobby Peek

I am writing this smokestack while on the road. It ask. A fi rst response, considering that there has has been a very busy period for groundWork and been less load shedding since the end of August, myself. We have just completed our 16th annual would be a positive. However, August has been general meeting. These meetings are always an a painful month for South Africa as we have seen intensive and supportive experience. the US dollar batter the Rand to more than R14 to the dollar. This must be a painful lesson for ex- From following fracking in Graaf Reinet, Karoo, Minster of Finance Pravin Gordhan, who adamantly to coal in Ermelo, Mpumalanga; from walking defended the position that the World Bank’s $3.75 with parliamentarians atop burning pools of fi re in billion loan to South Africa to build Medupi would abandoned mines to crawling in dark, dank caves be a positive step for the country. With government where young people toil to knock and scrape out having to pay the loan back in dollar denominations a livelihood in abandoned and informal coal mines – discussions at cabinet level – must be “eina”. using candles as a means of light – yes, you heard right, candles in a coal mine; from the desperation Corporate leadership blames the electricity price of Colenso as it opens its arms to the destruction of increases by Eskom for the growing job losses in coal once more, to the hope articulated by a small South Africa – a claim to which government is happy municipality in the coal-rich Highveld, that we to give credence – whereas the reality of job losses have to work on a process beyond coal if people is due to the global economic meltdown. According are going to actualise the democratic promise of to Adcorp Employment Index, South Africa lost energy for all – it has been exciting to be able to be more than 118 000 jobs in February alone this part of all of this. I feel as if I have gone through a year. As industry scrambles to make their ongoing Jack Kerouac moment “On the Road”. profi ts, there is pressure on government for all sorts of incentives, including tariffs. I am not advocating Back to reality. Sadly. After years of scandals, against tariffs on goods to protect local economies mismanagement, budget overruns and numerous in this rampant free market capitalist mode we are delays, President Zumu fi nally opened the fi rst in, but it is interesting that ArcelorMittal South – referred to as sixth – unit of the Medupi coal- Africa (AMSA) pushed for this as is documented in fi red power station. This event is “proof that Engineering News. The age of rampant profi ts are there is light at the end of the tunnel,” claimed over, so Paul O’Flaherty of AMSA claims. our President. Damn, it has been a long tunnel. In May 2007, when the fi rst building work started, At a time when profi ts need to be maintained, it it was estimated that it would take four years to will be interesting to see what corporate CEOs will build. Now, eight years later, only the fi rst unit is say. “Even in the good times, the days of making completed, and the date for completion is now 30% to 35% margins is not right,” he claims. Great around 2019. Critically, there have been budget statement. But what is right? AMSA realises it has challenges as well. Various fi gures abound, but we to give to get. What they offered was “investment are looking at around R100 billion more than the and broad-based black economic–empowerment then CEO of Eskom, Jacob Maroga, promised it (BBBEE) commitments in return for greater would take. government support”. How aptly put. I would rather say government protection; it sounds more Has Medupi benefi ted the South African economy “Mafi a-ish”. A corporate government racket at the and its people? This is the question one has to

- Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - groundWork - 3 -

expense of workers: “You protect capital and we a vague promise of an intention. But getting back will release more to the elite”. to the consultations. Just as the INDC is vague, so were these consultations. As this crisis unfolded, pressure on the system resulted in some interesting meetings, with one Off the main public transport node, hidden behind called at the National Union of Metal Workers of gates of private upmarket hotels, was where these South Africa boardroom on the 21st of August, consultations took place; well, at least the one for pulling in “labour, business and government behind Durban that I was at, which was fi fty kilometres closed doors in Pretoria”. O’Flaherty was there with away from the city centre. Here we gathered to his industrial cohort of steel makers. It was “agreed hear speeches and presentations from government that an urgent solution to the current crisis in the offi cials and there were no meaningful discussions steel industry was required and further agreed that to challenge and make input to in order to shift our any solutions found should not negatively affect government’s thinking. Strangely, even heavy fossil jobs in the downstream manufacturing industries”. fuel developments like offshore drilling for oil and Yet, after the “watershed” meeting, and the gas, as part of the Operation Phakisa, suddenly granting of tariff protection, O’Flaherty was still became a climate change programme according focusing on how to cut jobs despite promising to to KwaZulu-Natal provincial political heavyweight protect jobs in some sectors of AMSA. and MEC for Economic Development and Tourism in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, Getting back to energy, it seems that government is Mike Mabuyakhulu. So, if our government wants in for a long legal battle and community resistance a mandate from the people to take to Paris for on many grounds. Legal action is brewing around the climate negotiations, at least we should have the nuclear programme, fracking and coal a process to agree on what we disagree on. We expansions, as well as off-shore gas. A colleague should actually speak to each other. of mine said this was crazy. We need some energy so we cannot challenge every single process. But Having said this, it is critical that, as we move into then, considering the failure of the negotiators at the uncertain world of climate change, crumbling the climate change jamborees that happen every economies and political uncertainty, we need to year, maybe taking on the big elephant one bite at have more of an honest discussion with people. a time is the only way to turn the tide on climate It was this open discussion with the Labour Party change and to ensure people have access to energy members in the United Kingdom that got Jeremy that they control and produce, and which is not Corbyn, a rank left of centre outsider, to take the harmful to their health and well-being. But what is Labour Party leadership. Of all four candidates critical in this energy debate is the reality that, while who stood for elections, it was only Corbyn who we cannot shut off all fossil fuel energy now, the responded to the environmental justice questions decision makers – our governments – are not using put to the candidates by Friends of the Earth the small amount of hope and carbon space that England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI). The we have left to work on a just transition away from jury is out on what Corbyn will mean for Labour as fossil fuels. Based upon this, challenging all fossil well as the United Kingdom. But, even if Labour fuel development is correct to my mind. does wilt and disappear under the new leadership, as many suggest it will (and the powerful within the On the issue of climate, these past few months party leadership will hope for if they do not gain have also seen the South African government go control again) it is my hope that at least, through on a road show of consultations with civil society the process of changing leadership in labour, a new throughout the country. I have heard in certain sense of political power has been developed on the circles that governments and civil society from ground to be able to respond to the collapse in a other countries are surprised by South African democratic way. consultations on the INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) – basically voluntary For now – till next time. proposals by national governments to reduce the Bobby greenhouse gasses. INDC are nothing more than

- 4 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - Lead

MPs do the fi re walk

by Robby Mokgalaka During a recent “toxic tour”, Parliamentarians were made to walk over hot coals – literally As they say, there is a difference between knowing Their general reaction to the condition was a good the road and walking the road. He who walks sign that the reality was sinking home, which was the road understands it better. Believing this, exactly our intention. parliamentarians were taken by groundWork After the tour, the communities made a presentation on a “toxic tour”, walking on the dangerous to the offi cials in the form of a declaration prepared underground burning mines in the area of Witbank over three days. They consolidated their own pleas in the Highveld and witnessing fi rst hand the acid based on their challenges, such as water pollution mine drainage affecting local community water and shortage, acid mine drainage, air pollution, sources. house cracks caused by mine blasting and unjust In August 2015, coal-affected communities around relocation to make way for coal facilities. the country gathered in Witbank to address their The approach of presenting a declaration challenges to national parliamentarians. With more took the offi cials by surprise as they had not than 200 mines, many of which are abandoned, expected it, and they were impressed. They have Witbank, now called Emalahleni (the place of coal), confessed that they were expecting questions was strategically chosen to be a suitable meeting from the fl oor. After presentations made by the place for the National Strategic Meeting (NCM). communities, the government offi cials made their These abandoned mines are not fenced and are own heart-felt individual pledges to fi ght against a constant threat to children in the communities the environmental injustices they had seen. The situated nearby. Most of these mines are collapsing, parliamentarians requested a continuous working causing sink holes and thus becoming time bombs. relationship with the environmental organizations Community people digging coal for household use and affected communities to fi ght for solutions to from those mines have lost their lives in the sink the challenges. holes and some were left lame after they had their feet burnt in those holes. Critically, the parliamentarians recognised the health impact from what they saw and how people The national parliamentarians representing the spoke about their illnesses. Mr Jackson Mthembu Portfolio Committee on Environment – namely of the African National Congress, Chair of the Jackson Mthembu (Chairperson of the committee), Portfolio Committee recognised the need for other Dr General Bantu Holomisa of the United Portfolio Committee members to also be exposed Democratic Movement and the supporting staff of to this reality and promised that he would speak the committee – were taken on the “toxic tour” to the other portfolio committees and especially before the group discussion, in order to facilitate the health portfolio committee in order that they healthy discussion between communities and act soon. Dr Bantu Holomisa suggested that there parliamentarians. should be a cross-sectorial ANC study group process On the tour, the government offi cials were to consider the various responses to what had been visibly shocked and frightened by the abandoned witnessed and heard that day. underground burning mine emitting a large amount Based on the newly-created relationship with the of sulphur and other toxic substances. The mine has parliamentarians, groundWork needs to sit down been burning for more than fi fty years, leaving the with the affected communities to strategize the top part of the ground soft and ready to collapse way forward. at any time. The offi cials were even too scared to come close to the burning hole after they were warned that the ground could collapse at any time.

- Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - groundWork - 5 - Climate and Energy Justice

Don’t frack with the Karoo

Statement of the participants to a dialogue on fracking held in the Karoo town of Graaff Reinet from the 24 – 25 August 2015

The threat of fracking continues to hang over large further food insecurity and the destruction of the portions of South Africa, including the Karoo. While sense of place which the people of the Karoo value. Shell has indicated that they will not actively pursue To consolidate and expand the national and fracking, other transnational corporations continue international campaigns against the exploitative to seek exploratory licenses and the highest decision nature of the extractive industry, in particular makers hail fracking as a “game changer”. Public fracking. participation processes and the government-driven Strategic Environmental Assessment go ahead To explore opportunities to enhance the demands without meaningful inclusion of local people whose for energy and food sovereignty and transformative lives will be most impacted upon. The destructive development determined by the people of the impact of fracking internationally becomes ever Karoo. more apparent. Noting that: Thus we gathered in Graaff Reinet, led by the • The extractive industry continues to expand local community anti-fracking task teams with with impunity, disregarding the social and support of other organizations of people whose environmental destruction it causes; lives have been negatively impacted upon by the extractive industry, environmental justice • The government and developers ignore the organizations, academics, researchers and faith demands and needs of local people whose lives based organizations. The objectives of the dialogue are impacted upon; were: • South Africa and the Karoo in particular are well To strengthen the voice of the anti-fracking positioned and resourced to pursue renewable, campaign driven by local communities who will bear clean energy options; the brunt of the impact of fracking on their health we commit ourselves to continue to mobilize and environments (especially the Karoo’s precious against dirty energy, non-transformative develop- water), and will face job losses, social dislocation,

The SCLC Fracking campaign banner

- 6 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - Climate and Energy Justice

ment and in particular fracking. We will do this • An equitable access to and control over through: resources,; in particular land and water; • Actively participating in public dialogues and • A democracy shaped by local women and men; democratic assessment forums; • Access to healthy and affordable food; • Engaging decision makers at municipal, • Clean energy and affordable services for all. provincial and national levels; Statement endorsed by: • Ongoing awareness raising around the negative impact of the extractive industry, The anti-fracking task teams of the Karoo climate change and skewed power; Baviaans Land and Agrarian Reform Forum (BLARF) The Inqua tribe of the Khoisan • Pursuing alternatives that foster food and The Southern Cape Land Committee (SCLC) energy sovereignty, including renewable groundWork energy and agro-ecological food production; Earthlife Africa • Building solidarity and strengthening people- Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance led campaigns through exchanges and Highveld Environmental Justice Alliance solidarity actions. SA Green Revolutionary Council African Gidiva We will continue to support campaigns and Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) movements towards transformation: Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) • For a safe and healthy Karoo where our natural Friends of the Earth (FoE) resources and lifestyles are protected; The South African (SAFCEI)

- Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - groundWork - 7 - Coal

Manipulation of a desperate community

by Robby Mokgalaka

‘It is with toys that people are led’ – Napoleon Bonaparte

This was the situation when the consultant Eco the consultants for not translating the presentation Partners, acting on behalf of Colenso Power, tried into isiZulu was that the presentation was written in to dupe the local community that a 1 000MW coal- isiZulu; this approach clearly did not accommodate fi red power station would be good for them. It has the illiterate and old people who were present in recently come to light that Colenso Power is linked the meeting. to the ANCs Chancellor House. Colenso and many As a result, there was no meaningful participation of the small towns in north-western KwaZulu-Natal in the process by the community. This clearly have depressed economies because of early coal shows that the consultants were disregarding the extraction and the industry’s related infrastructure rights of the people to effective and meaningful around which these towns were built. When better- participation. quality coal and a larger workforce were found in the Vaal Triangle and Highveld, these areas were Survey forms were handed over to everyone by abandoned, but left with toxic coal dumpsites, the consultants at the entrance of the hall without mines and acid mine drainage. anyone explaining to the people what they were all about. People simply fi lled in the forms with a false On the 25th of July 2015, Eco Partners held a hope that they would be lined up for employment. public participation meeting in Colenso, inviting The public participation was inadequate and it was community members and NGOs as Interested and simply to rubber stamp the procedure. Affected Parties to take part in the project discussion proceedings. Traditionally, an Environmental A woman who lives in Colenso asked the Impact Assessment (EIA) meeting is meant to consultants about the chances of her community invite discussions about how a project is going being relocated from the area planned for the to impact the environment, social wellbeing and construction of the dam for the Colenso coal- health of people. Under the cloak of the promise fi red power station. Her question came out of of employment, this meeting however played to past experience. The community living within the people’s fi nancial desperation. targeted area were relocated during the apartheid era by the government to make way for white In speaking to local people at the meeting, the farmers. Through land claim processes brought message came back to groundWork that the local about during the new dispensation in South Africa ward councillors had told people to attend because the land was given back to them. The woman learnt there was a possibility of employment if the coal- that the area has been targeted for the construction fi red power station were to get the go ahead. of the dam and therefore she fears removal. She When groundWork visited some of the community also wanted to know whether or not they would members in Colenso earlier this year, we discovered be compensated for the land. Her questions were that, while members of the local community land not answered. trust were already in talks with Colenso Power, many other community members did not know All these discrepancies shown by the consultant about the project. confi rm that when you are poor you get desperate and when you are desperate you will be taken During this recent meeting, more than half of the advantage of. presentation was not translated from English into the local language of isiZulu. The reasons stated by

- 8 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - Coal

Six years and going strong

by Musa Chamane

SAWPA’s third national conference

The South African Waste Pickers’ Association their plight is ignored by their local and district (SAWPA) was formed in 2009 by about 100 waste municipalities. National government has recognised pickers who convened to agree on the formation of a SAWPA in many ways but due to weaknesses in new national movement of waste pickers. Between intergovernmental relations we have seen waste the 28th and the 30th of July this year, SAWPA pickers still facing many challenges despite the convened once again in Midrand, Johannesburg, existence of SAWPA. The majority of waste pickers for their third national meeting. This time we had come from very poor backgrounds and, together eighty-two waste pickers from every province in with unhelpful government people, this can South Africa. It involved both street- and landfi ll- sometimes dent people’s confi dence in their ability based waste pickers. The aim of the conference to change their situation. was to take stock of what has happened on the The conference reviewed the past few years in ground. The interim leadership elected in 2009 order to measure progress. One of the fi rst goals was also to be replaced by a permanent one this was recognition by government for waste pickers year. It was very impressive to have waste pickers and SAWPA as an organized movement, which has coming from provinces such as Northern Cape and been achieved with fl ying colours since government Limpopo, which were not part of the 2009 or 2013 has conducted various studies and provincial conferences. workshops with waste pickers. At the conclusion of Almost every one of South Africa’s eleven a mass march in Pretoria, in December 2014, waste languages was spoken at the conference and pickers handed in a memorandum to Minister as a result communication prior to the meeting Molewa of Environmental Affairs, opposing the proved challenging. Despite this, and the long development of an Enviroserve waste incinerator at road to travel, people joined us from all over the Chloorkop, which would result in the loss of some country. It was amazing to hear the developments 3 000 jobs. In early 2015, the Minister responded, that are taking place on the ground. Waste picker indicating that studies will be undertaken to cooperatives in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape, understand how waste pickers fi t into the waste Sasolburg in the province of the Free State, and management systems and encouraging them to Mooi River in Kwazulu-Natal all have more than attend meetings regarding this incinerator. The EIA R1-million-worth of recycling infrastructure, for the Enviroserve incinerator was stopped by the namely Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), that proponent, who claimed a shortage of money due are managed by waste pickers. In 2009, there were to a weakened Rand. When all this was reported no such organized structures of waste pickers and in a meeting there was a big applause for such an infrastructure. Since the formation of SAWPA, and achievement. as a result of continuous organizing on the ground There were also report backs on national activities by waste pickers, these successful results are the that have been undertaken by leadership, such as evidence of the hard work that has been applied. the Spanish exchange where we saw four members There are places that have not achieved much of leadership going to Spain for an exchange. progress due to a number of factors. Some waste The aim of the exchange was to also learn more pickers have failed to organize with their fellow about organic waste. They were very impressed waste pickers, while some have organized but with what they have learned on this trip and they

- Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - groundWork - 9 - Coal

hope to implement what they have learned. The The issue of middlemen dominated the conference other interesting activity was an invitation from and there were disagreements as to who and what Pope Benedict of the Roman Catholic Church who is a middleman. The middleman is someone who made strong relations with popular movements buys recyclables from waste pickers and sells the internationally. This invitation shows that SAWPA materials on to the main buyer, therefore taking has been recognised beyond South African borders. a cut out of waste pickers’ profi ts. Members were Some of the waste pickers were not aware of this much divided on this issue; some said that they news and they were thrilled with the exposure the need to do away with middlemen, while others said organization has received. there is not much choice other than to sell to the middlemen because the market is not large enough. There was a long discussion on the leadership committee and the waste pickers ended up agreeing It was made clear that there are two types of that the interim leadership should be adopted as middlemen: the exploitative ones and the non- permanent leadership. Of course, Limpopo and exploitative ones. The exploitative ones are the Northern Cape had to elect their representatives ones who do not pick waste and have unfair as those provinces were absent from the fi rst prices and make a huge profi t when selling on, meeting. The interim leadership has done a sterling while the other type is the opposite. Therefore, job according to conference delegates. The offi ce those at the meeting agreed that they will work bearers will be elected in July 2017 when this with non-exploitative middlemen and it is the meeting sits again. A decision about member’s duty of members to see that middlemen are not registration on the ground was also taken and it exploitative by demanding evidence of how waste was agreed that from August to May 2016 the fi rst is sold on. Some cooperatives have progressed round of members’ registrations have to happen. to the stage of buying recyclables from waste The registration form was adopted and it was pickers. SAWPA embraced that, but it was made agreed that the membership registration fee will be clear that these buying-cooperatives should not be R20 per member. exploitative, meaning that they must provide good prices to waste pickers and must not seek to make SAWPA is not a remote organization but works unreasonable profi ts. with other organizations, which is why the meeting invited government, the Cooperative and Policy All in all, it was a very successful meeting where Alternative Centre (COPAC) and Women in most delegates’ voices were heard in the decisions Informal Employment Globalising and Organizing that were taken by the meeting. It was good to (WIEGO) to address the congress. It was clear from see voting by members for different roles and it is members of these three groups that what SAWPA clear that the organization is maturing. Limpopo stands for and the work it is undertaking is good and Northern Cape provinces have been welcomed and acceptable. Government has invited SAWPA – on board. WIEGO has made it clear that they focus two delegates from each province – to be part of more on working with women in the informal the workshop that they are convening in October economy and therefore they will request meetings this year. with women waste pickers and SAWPA as a whole should not hesitate to send their women to COPAC informed waste pickers about the workshops or conferences. advantages of working as cooperatives and the statistics of cooperative failure shocked some The meeting was adjourned on a high note, where delegates. The waste pickers agreed with COPAC everyone wished the meeting had one or two days about the benefi ts of forming cooperatives and more to go because they had made friendships that added that in their case it’s better, as they are will result in solidarity. already working; it is unlike when people just agree to start a cooperative on something they have never done before. COPAC agreed that they do not see a high failure of waste picker cooperatives because they are already workers.

- 10 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - Coal

Supporting African mercury projects

by Rico Euripidou groundWork has a proud history of directly assisting over thirty African countries on the issue of mercury over the past ten years. The Minamata Convention is a global treaty the in participating countries with the scientifi c and objective of which is to protect human health technical knowledge and tools needed for that and the environment from the adverse effects of purpose. anthropogenic releases of mercury and mercury Participating countries will benefi t from new and compounds. It was agreed by the United Nations updated information about the mercury situation Environmental Programme (UNEP) member states in their country and from increased capacity at the fi fth session of the Intergovernmental in managing the risks of mercury. The sharing Negotiating Committee in Geneva, in January of experiences and lessons learned throughout 2013, and was adopted and opened for signature the project are also expected to be an important at a Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Japan, contribution to other similar countries. in October 2013. It was immediately signed by ninety-one countries and the European Union. Overall, the project will strengthen the African region’s capacity for identifi cation of mercury Controlling the anthropogenic releases of mercury sources and the quantifi cation of their releases, throughout its lifecycle has been a key factor in and for development and prioritizing of actions to shaping the obligations under the convention. The address mercury issues. major highlights of the Minamata Convention on Mercury include a ban on new mercury mines, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Forum on the phase-out of existing ones, phase-out dates Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining and the for mercury use in products and processes, control Minamata Convention on Mercury measures on air emissions, and the international The Convention places particular emphasis on regulation of the informal sector for artisanal and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), small-scale gold mining. which is currently the largest global source of mercury emissions and releases. Countries that Due to its persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity become Parties to the Convention that have ASGM to human and wild life, as well as its long-range in their territories are required to take steps to transport in the atmosphere, mercury has high reduce and, where feasible, eliminate mercury use prominence in both the environmental science and and releases. the public policy spheres. Mercury can produce a range of adverse human health effects, including This process reviewed the progress of participating permanent damage to the nervous system, in countries on developing national action plans particular the developing nervous system. (NAPs), and also provided a platform for dialogue on those elements of the NAPs that can benefi t Over the last year especially, we have been working from common regional approaches, including in partnership with African countries on projects to sharing of resources and coordinated governance take early action on pre-ratifi cation programmes regimes among countries in the region. The process for the Minamata Convention on Mercury. provided training on the requirements for the NAPs, Development of Minamata Convention on and helped countries understand and prepare for Mercury Initial Assessment in Africa: Ethiopia, implementation by providing scientifi c information Gambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. and tools relevant to managing the ASGM sector. This project is aimed at facilitating the ratifi cation Participants also had the opportunity to interact and early implementation of the Minamata with representatives from the Global Environment Convention by providing key national stakeholders Facility (GEF) to learn about funding opportunities

- Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - groundWork - 11 - Coal

for projects within their regions. A key output of on “Capacity Building related to Multilateral this project is to develop a step-by-step guide for Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in Africa, applying for support for GEF Enabling Activities Caribbean and Pacifi c countries” Phase 2 (ACP/ for the Minamata Convention. This guide will MEAs Phase 2). The objective of this second phase provide recommendations for how to complete of the programme is to support and strengthen each section of the offi cial GEF Enabling Activities institutional and national capacity-building for project application form when applying for NAP the synergistic implementation of the target MEA development support. clusters (chemicals/wastes and biodiversity) in ACP countries as well as assist participating countries to The April workshop, which was jointly hosted by meet the objectives of these MEAs. US State Department and the World Bank, was attended by over fi fty participants representing groundWork will contribute to the ACP/MEAs nine African governments (namely, Mozambique, Phase 2 by supporting and providing oversight to Malawi, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia, local NGOs to conduct work in these four countries Tanzania, Kenya and Zimbabwe), intergovernmental from the African region. The project goal is to assist organizations and non-governmental organizations. countries to prepare to conduct their Convention The workshop was co-organized by groundWork obligations in regard to developing National Action and National Resources Defence Council (NRDC). Plans designed to reduce mercury use and release in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), Legal review and gap analysis for Swaziland and the phase-out of mercury-added products. The overall objective of this project is to contribute to the preparation for the early ratifi cation and The mercury-added product phase-out initiatives implementation of the Minamata Convention on and ASGM national action plans created under Mercury in Swaziland, with a focus on undertaking this project will enhance the ability of the selected a legal review of Swaziland national laws, policies African countries to work toward ratifi cation and regulations. and early implementation of the Convention. Specifi cally, by the end of the project, countries’ Specifi cally, this legal review of national legislation representatives will have clarity and direction is an integral part of Swaziland’s efforts to ratify on their overall Convention ratifi cation and the Minamata Convention, and will include an implementation obligations vis-a-vis the two area assessment of the national infrastructure and specifi ed above. capacity for the management of mercury, including national legislation, and identifying challenges, groundWork is placing particular emphasis on these needs and opportunities to implement the projects to ensure that the Minamata Convention is Minamata Convention on Mercury. meaningfully implemented and enjoys widespread global support. There are already 128 signatories of Contributing to the preparation/implementation the Minamata Convention. We have every reason of the Minamata Convention, with focus on to believe that all of these countries will eventually developing strategies to implement product join the convention and our work will assist phase–out provisions and the national action African countries to implement its comprehensive plans for Artisanal and Small Scale Gold mining framework for controlling mercury pollution, and in Ghana, Tanzania, Mauritius and Nigeria. thus encouraging a holistic rather than piecemeal The overall project objective is to contribute to the approach to eliminating mercury. Furthermore, preparation for ratifi cation and implementation of this approach creates a genuine opportunity for the Minamata Convention in these four countries, improved regional coordination on cross-border with a focus on the ASGM and mercury-added issues such as mercury trade. Since all countries product phase-out provisions. Draft laws/national have the same obligations there is a strong incentive action plans to be developed may then be used as a to coordinate with neighbours on the methods model for other countries in the ACP regions. of implementation and to share information. This This project is part of the larger Food and approach will in turn strengthen the ability of each Agricultural Organization (FAO) programme country to deal with border issues.

- 12 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - Coal

CC and health: an inseparable pain

by Luqman Yesufu

We are already beginning to feel the impacts of climate change

One of the major drivers of climate change is initiative, which falls under Health Care Without greenhouse gasses (GHG) which include methane, Harm, and pushes GGHH member and non- carbon-dioxide, nitrous oxide and ozone. Unless member hospitals and institutions to address any the emissions of GHGs are reduced, the global activities that are contributing to negative climate temperature will continue to increase, impacting impacts. the planet’s physical and biological systems as Netcare South Africa, a member of the GGHH well as public environmental health. In South network and also one of the fi rst members in South Africa, climate change is a key concern as mean Africa to sign up to the 2020 Health Care Climate annual temperatures have increased by at least Challenge, has recently committed to reducing it 1.5 times the observed global average of 0.8˚C carbon footprint from energy consumption by 30% over the past fi ve decades and extreme rainfall by 2020 and 80% by 2050 based on 1990 levels. It events have increased. In addition, the country is intends to do this through direct focus on reducing currently experiencing the worst drought it has its energy usage. It has launched the Switch- had in two decades, with the Department of Water it-Off Campaign – challenging staff to reduce and Sanitation having invested over R352-million electricity consumption by actively switching off in KwaZulu-Natal to help with the immediate unused devices. This is to inculcate the habit into challenge of water scarcity. staff members as coal-based electricity remains In the context of this environmental crisis, the the primary form of energy used in their various health care industry in South Africa has a critical hospitals. One of its major achievements is the role to play in mitigating climate change impacts. completion of one of its largest solar hot water It has been well documented that hospitals expend generation plants at the Netcare Union Hospital, about twice as much total energy per square foot which saves 1,042 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day as traditional offi ce space, therefore reducing and has reduced the maximum demand on electrical healthcare’s GHG emission should be a task of supply by 75 kilovolt-ampere (kVA). This and many national importance. The interesting thing here is more sustainable practices will be shared as a case that, through the development of action plans and study on the green hospitals website. strategy to mitigate climate change, the health care The WCGH, also a member of GGHH has also sector can demonstrate further its commitment embraced the 2020 Health Care Climate Challenge, to health, because it cannot heal people in a sick specifi cally committing to reducing their energy environment. consumption at government hospitals in the The 2020 Health Care Climate Challenge offers Western Cape Province by 10% in 2020 and 30% a platform for such commitments with both the in 2030 based on the 2005 levels, which amounts private and public health systems in South Africa, to saving about 15 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide most notably Netcare and the Western Cape annually. Their primary strategy is to incorporate the Government Department of Health (WCGH), principles of green building design into their various actively involved in reducing their carbon emissions hospital projects, with special focus on engineering and promoting climate awareness strategies in their interventions such as heat pumps, more effi cient various establishments. This challenge is driven by laundry equipment and the redesigning of lighting the Global Green (GGHH) and Healthy Hospitals in their various hospitals. Due to the fi nancial

- Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - groundWork - 13 - Coal

constraints often experienced by government follows: Water at 19 600 000 litres; carbon dioxide establishments, the WCGH decided to accelerate at 557 tons; and cost at R835 000. They have “quick win initiatives” that require less capital and also set up targets for provincial hospitals in the can be implemented in the immediate future – the annual performance plan, which is monitored and so called “low hanging fruits”. evaluated in terms of water consumption, energy consumption and utilization in kWh/bed/day. This For example, they have eliminated all the coal ensures that hospitals are put under the microscope and oil-fi red boilers serving hospitals, except for as soon as they fall below the standards. Groote Schuur and Tygerberg hospitals. This has drastically reduced the GHGs from their hospitals. As the global climate negotiations take place in Paris They have installed heat pumps for hot water and at the end of this year with further commitments effi cient point-of-use electrical heating for cooking taken in 2020 by governments, the 2020 Health and autoclaves. They have also made the laundries Care Climate Challenge is an example of how real within their hospitals more effi cient in terms of change can be made by important institutions water, carbon emissions and cost. For example, within people’s immediate communities. Lentegeur Hospital has total savings per annum as

Utility savings: A case study from Groote Schuur Hospital Background information raising their morale. This in turn created a sense of ownership and commitment among staff Groote Schuur Hospital, which was opened to members before the maintenance programs the public in 1938, is positioned at the base of started. Infrastructure maintenance, such as Table Mountain and has a physical fl oor space of repairing and replacing old water reticulation, approximately 600 000m2. The hospital mainly closing off water and steam lines not in use and serves the population of the Western Cape removing disused long lines carrying hot or chilled Province, providing tertiary and quaternary water saved water consumption drastically. For care in all specialist and subspecialist disciplines, coal, the soot separators were upgraded and including emergency services. The hospital the electrical systems re-worked. The boilers are has 975 beds, admits approximately 50 000 also serviced regularly and the emissions from inpatients and attends to 500 000 outpatients boiler houses has been signifi cantly and visibly per annum, performing about 25 000 operations reduced. per year, which include heart, liver and kidney transplants. Achievements The hospital is very old, approximately seventy- Groote Schuur Hospital achieved a reduction in seven years old. This therefore means that the water consumption from 740 million litres per hospital building, if not maintained properly, year to 420 million litres per year (43% saving) will become more resource intensive, stressing by simply attending to maintenance issues. The local and bioregional materials beyond their hospital reduced coal usage from two tons per sustainable capabilities. Special focus has been hour to less than 500kg per hour (4% saving) on water and coal consumption, which were by improving effi ciencies. Other savings and very high. innovations at Groote Schuur hospital include: reuse of reverse osmosis and autoclave waste Sustainability Strategy and GGHH Goals water from fl ush water system, borehole water The Hospital management recognized through for irrigation and a drive to have all PC screens its leadership the enormous amount of money and lights switched off. Please visit the Global that was being spent on water and coal resources. Green and Healthy Hospital website at www. They identifi ed maintenance as a strategy to curb greenhospitals.net to read more about this case the cost, but fi rst they embarked on awareness- study and many others. raising among staff by educating them and

- 14 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - Coal

Community screenings of coal fi lm

by Megan Lewis HEJN mobilised and engaged community members across the Highveld on coal and health issues “It’s like when you see a bee fl ying around and you screenings in Witbank and Ermelo as they were think it’s harmless. Only once it stings you, then very central and open venues. Screenings included you feel the pain and want to do something about introductions by groundWork and HEJN, a summary it. Only when it is too late do you want to take of the main points of the fi lm and about an hour- up action. That is the bliss of ignorance.” Khensani long engagement session with the audience. The Shilubane, Treasurer of the Highveld Environmental HEJN-affi liated organization in Ermelo decided to Justice Network (HEJN), groundWork’s partner target the youth as their main audience, as they felt community based organization, explained the that the message could be taken up by the future meaning of the title of the new coal and health generation, who could also take it to their family documentary to some Middelburg residents using and neighbours at home. Despite rain and hail in this metaphor. Ermelo on the Saturday, about fi fty people still braved sitting in a tent to watch the documentary The Bliss of Ignorance was shown in isiZulu by and discuss what they had seen. HEJN and groundWork in the Highveld towns of Witbank, Middelburg and Ermelo in the last week The community screenings garnered media of July. A total of seven community screenings took coverage from local press and radio stations, which place and about 500 people attended. With a core were targeted in order to spread the word to readers group of six HEJN members, we moved through the in the communities where screenings were taking various communities in the towns equipped with place. HEJN organized most of the media work and a projector, a computer, a sound system and our this included four half-hour interviews held over the voices. Many HEJN members were there to support week on a community radio station with speakers the process and engage with the documentary, from HEJN and groundWork, one interview on a which was particularly evidenced by some lively national radio station and articles published in three discussions throughout the week. community newspapers. A month before the week of screenings, eight billboard spaces were identifi ed Good mobilisation took place on the ground by in all three towns and design artwork was erected HEJN beforehand in most of the communities and to get people speaking about coal with their friends in one case community members from Uitkyk, a and family. town which neighbours Middleburg, also attended a screening. Additionally, one of the interviewees At the last screening in Middleburg, held in a large in the documentary, from the community of school classroom, the Mayor of Steve Tshwete Local Pullenshope, attended a screening and was thrilled Municipality, Mike Masina, addressed the rest of the to watch herself and hear her story come to life audience after having watched the documentary. on the screen. It was critical having her and HEJN He committed himself and his municipal structure members from other towns at the screenings as the to working together with the community to stories told of ill-health, lack of jobs and polluted develop alternatives to coal. He recognised the water were so similar across areas. It showed concerns around pollution and health that were people that coal is a pervasive stain that has spread put forward by the documentary, and he did not over the whole Highveld area. want the people in his municipality and beyond to be suffering at the cost of such unsustainable This pre-organizing was complemented by the practices. He also sent a fellow politician to the open platform of the screenings; people were National Coal Meeting held in July. able to walk off the street and join in if they were interested which we saw happen mostly at the

- Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - groundWork - 15 - Coal

A strong and common focal point of discussion The offi cial online launch of the documentary was that arose from the screenings was that, while on the 27th of July 2015. The community screenings community members recognise and live with the held the week before were specifi cally done then effects of coal pollution, there was no clear solution as it was important that the affected communities, on how those most marginalised were supposed to those living on the “coal-face”, viewed the fi lm change this. During a meeting held with energy and before it was accessible globally. Part of the offi cial health experts prior to the week of screenings, it launch was a strong push with Friends of the was highlighted that the health-seeking behaviour Earth International on email and on social media of people living in the Highveld is often premised networks, particularly Twitter and Facebook. on the notion that certain symptoms related to According to the website and social media manager upper respiratory tract infections are considered at Friends of the Earth International secretariat, this normal. Therefore, it is critical for us at groundWork has been one of the federation’s most successful and HEJN to advocate short, medium and long- Twitter campaigns. There has also been interest in term goals in the Highveld and one of the short subtitling the documentary into German, which will term goals is for people to begin to understand prove useful, particularly as a member of HEJN is in that ill-health should be taken seriously and to Germany for a year with KOSA. visit doctors. Part of this challenge is that health It was agreed with HEJN that the documentary has care practitioners at local clinics are not adequately proven to be a useful tool in opening up discussion equipped to address environmentally related health with communities and that this must not be a concerns and therefore this is a potential mid-term once-off screening as there are many more towns goal for the organizations – to begin conscientising across the Highveld where the documentary needs the local Mpumalanga health care sector on these to be taken. It was one of the fi rst times we have issues. Part of our discussion with the communities invested so much time in producing a documentary we spoke with during the week of screenings was as a campaigning tool in groundWork, but the time about joining local HEJN organizations in order to spent has paid back double through the potential mobilise around actions challenging the local and for change it has created. We will also have launches national government structures to get rid of coal outside the Highveld as interest has peaked all over and bring on board renewable energy for people. South Africa, particularly with proposals for coal mining and coal-bed methane fracking popping up in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Khutala Workers Community Organization watch a screening at Ermelo. Credit: groundWork

- 16 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - Coal

Corporate SA says NO to climate policy

by Greenfl y Big industry has decided that South Africa should breaks for investors in “alternative fuels”, not for not do anything about climate change. This is how US leadership in rapid emissions reductions. the Chemical and Allied Industries Alliance (CAIA) The other 50% of global emissions, about 25 billion put it in a presentation to the Davis Tax Committee: tonnes of greenhouse gas a year, is more than “CAIA does not support South Africa’s continued enough to keep global warming on the boil. In that development of climate change policy, including half, South Africa’s emissions are very signifi cant that of the carbon tax.” CAIA later contradicted this in absolute terms as well as per capita terms. Only statement but maintained that reducing emissions two European countries – Germany and the UK intensity (not actual emissions) is not urgent. – have higher absolute emissions and none have This marks a new tone to what industry likes to call higher per capita emissions. Malawi, by contrast, its “contribution” to climate policy. Normally it says emits 140 times less per person. we should do something about climate change but Sasol has led the argument on the second “not this” – that is, not whatever actual measure is point, claiming that South Africa’s greenhouse on the table. At the Davis Tax Committee, “this” gas emissions are below “our international was Treasury’s carbon tax proposal. Earlier in the commitments” – that’s the Copenhagen pledge year, “this” was the Department of Environmental – and will remain so until 2022. This claim was Affairs’ process to defi ne a national carbon budget based on a chart showing Sasol’s “new emissions – a limit on how much can be emitted – and allocate outlook”. it between sectors. An “emissions outlook” sounds formal, so we All business and industry presentations to the asked Sasol for their full report. It turned out Davis Tax Committee opposed the carbon tax. there wasn’t one. There was just the chart which, They argued fi rst that South Africa’s emissions are they said, was based on “internal calculations”. globally insignifi cant and second that government’s After several exchanges Sasol said they would carbon reduction objective has already been met. send us a note on their “assumptions and data These claims look like bad maths or bad faith. sources” but emphasised that they had used “third On the fi rst point, the Chamber of Mines (CoM) party information which we are obliged to keep said South Africa’s emissions are “tiny compared confi dential” as well as offi cial data. with China, India and the USA”, even if per capita A three-page note followed. Data sources included emissions are high. Indeed, those three countries two studies commissioned by the Department of plus the European Union (twenty-eight countries) Environmental Affairs but there was no trace of account for about 50% of global emissions. The the third parties. Ever since the fall of apartheid CoM’s biggest members – Anglo, Billiton and removed the protection of state secrecy, business Glencore – dominate world trade in coal and have has used “confi dentiality” to avoid scrutiny. It also not called on Europe, India or China to reduce coal hides behind empty arguments. consumption and imports. We have responded to Sasol’s note and conclude Sasol argued that South Africa’s pledge to reduce that their fi gures don’t stand up. Readers can access emissions, fi rst made at the 2009 Copenhagen Sasol’s original presentation to the Davis Committee, climate negotiations, is “aspirational” and, as a its note on assumptions and data sources, and our developing country, it should not make any fi rm response on groundWork’s website. There is also offers at the Paris climate negotiations this year. a link to a longer version of this article carried in In the USA, however, Sasol is building a carbon the Mail & Guardian under the heading “Corporate intensive gas-to-liquids plant and has called for tax South Africa promotes carbon myths”.

- Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - groundWork - 17 - Opinion

Motsepe pulls out of South Africa

by Bobby Peek

When the going gets tough, the rich get going.

Much has been written about Patrice Motsepe; bottom of who was responsible for the death of he was once the richest black person on the six workers and for those affected by manganese African continent and probably still is. His business poisoning. acumen, his political connections, his wealth and But recently he has been in the limelight again, and his generosity have all been a media focus over this time it has been for not remaining committed the years. He in an immense person – for many to South Africa, as a true African. Well the majority people, a true South African. He often says that of media have not put it this way, rather having he worked hard and gained his wealth before the seemingly stood by him without questioning his Black Economic Empowerment process. And he is moves on closing down his smelters in Machadodorp correct. and Assmang in Cato Ridge. This has been blamed But he has been questioned. When the Motsepe on “very, very, very low” prices for electricity in Foundation was launched earlier this year Dr Jeff Malaysia and the guarantee of an electricity price Rudin, in the Mail and Guardian, had this to say increase of only 2.5% a year. Manganese ore will about his generosity: “Congratulating him for his be bought by the new venture, Sakura in Malaysia, generosity is like thanking someone who, having from Assmang and will be shipped out as ore helped himself to your bank balance, your house and from South Africa to be benefi ciated in Malaysia. its entire contents, has the charitable compassion to This strategy of exporting our raw products to be buy you a second-hand bed for the shack you and benefi ciated elsewhere is what unions oppose in your family are now forced to occupy.” South Africa, as do the South African and Zambian governments. Motsepe, the “true South African”, The letter goes on to question not so much Motsepe has just done this. but rather the dominant values of a society that “fails to ask how an individual can possibly spend R20- There is no doubt that Eskom has caused some billion? What sort of society applauds the Motsepes sleepless nights for the high energy uses such as of the world while condemning mineworkers for the smelters but, critically, the cheap electricity that their ‘greed’ and lack of ‘patriotism’ when they made Motsepe rich is no longer available and thus demand a living wage?” This was in the wake of his commitment to South Africa and the workers the then recent events of Marikana. has disappeared. However, if he remained in South Africa his operations will still be profi table, I believe, These are diffi cult questions to grapple with in a but not at the level that global corporate capital young democratic South Africa, which still has requires. So I have to then refl ect on Rudin, and much to do to make the majority of society feel can only feel dismayed that sadly Patrice is just like the warm comforting glow of stability and equal the rest of the elite in a society that applauds the opportunity that democracy should have delivered. creation of wealth, even when it means people will I have refl ected on Patrice Motsepe before on these be made poorer because of it. But then, you can pages, and I even have a few go-to presentation always create a foundation and fork out money to slides that show how hard he is with Sundowns good causes. Indeed, is this not what makes the soccer management when they fail to make the NGO sector as well? grade, but how soft he has been on his managers when their negligence has left workers dead at Food for thought from someone who shares the his Assmang facility just outside Durban. This is a same alma mater. process that still has to be fi nalised to get to the

- 18 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - Profi le

Toxic relationship

by Shannon-Leigh Landers, groundWork intern Growing up in the South Durban Basin and certain groups of people from society. These unfair witnessing, fi rst hand, the effects of a system practices are often linked to class, race and gender. premised (both past and present) on exclusion My experience at groundWork has been eye and marginalisation, inspired me to pursue a social opening. I have, in a short space of time, learned a lot science degree. Volunteering at the South Durban about the environmental injustices which continue Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and to persist in our democracy. Most importantly, I have subsequently interning at groundWork has opened learned how intertwined environmental and socio- my eyes to the grave challenges that many (largely economic justice are. They cannot exist separately. black) people still face in South Africa’s young However, sadly enough, the environment is often democracy. overlooked when mega projects are endorsed by Before engaging in environmental activism, I made government. This not only endangers the natural sense of prevalent issues facing South Africa in environment but also threatens peoples’ health and purely socio-economic terms. When I became well-being, a right afforded to all South Africans in involved with SDCEA and groundWork, I was our constitution. forced to deconstruct, and then reconstruct, my Nonetheless, on the horizon rests a glimmer of hope understanding of social development. Many people with the rise of a politics from below which is slowly often don’t include the environment in their quest changing the face of activism. An example of this for a more just and equitable society as their vision can be seen with the South African Waste Pickers’ is often short-sighted – employment is generally Association (SAWPA) and other organizations of this the primary concern. Therefore, no matter how nature which are slowly becoming the backbone bad the potential risk of the development is, the of social and environmental activism. This level of desperation to escape poverty far exceeds the agency used to reside in educated spaces and was protection of peoples’ well-being. pedagogically passed onto the working classes. But This was my experience at a recent meeting I organizations such as SAWPA are challenging the attended in Colenso in KwaZulu-Natal, where status quo and reshaping the way people engage an entire community hall was fi lled to capacity in activism. as people were informed of the prospective I have had the privilege, through groundWork, development of a coal-fi red power station. As this to marry my social science background with town is severely economically depressed, it was environmental activism. This experience has made evident that most people had one objective: to seek me realise that South Africa has a long way to go employment opportunities. This toxic relationship before we level out the playing fi elds. The current that people are enveloped in can be seen in many development model is failing and is exacerbating previously disadvantaged communities, where the plight of many South Africans. We need to peoples’ right to a safe and dignifi ed life is often redress the socio-economic ills of the past, but in overlooked in pursuit of capitalist interests by those doing so we cannot replicate past actions because pushing these projects. Yet the system has made it will cause us to reproduce unjust historical people dependent on such harmful developments, practices. We need to re-envisage our development hence the abusive cycle continues. framework and create policies that advance people The reality is that the neoliberal policy framework and don’t repress them. adopted by the present government has suffocated True freedom is more than just economic security. It any hope of progress for the masses. This is sad but is the balance of social, environmental and economic true. The new dawn envisaged has been marred by factors. When this is achieved and peoples’ right to a continuation of historical legacies and has further the latter is protected, then we can call ourselves entrenched practices that exclude and marginalise free.

- Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 - groundWork - 19 - Back Page

The Wild Coast Region is one of the most underdeveloped areas in South Africa. At the same time, it is a place with miles of breathtaking, unspoiled nature, where the Pondo people have managed to retain their traditional way of life. The Shore Break tells the story of a close-knit rural community in the Amadiba area, where two cousins become embroiled in a confl ict as a result of plans by an Australian company to open a titanium mine. A local tour guide named Nonhle is against the mine. She wants to preserve the area for the Pondo and their traditions, and protect the region through ecotourism. Her cousin Madiba sees opportunities for economic development through the opening of the mine – and he is not alone in this, as the government is also in favour of it. The divisions between Nonhle and Madiba refl ect the struggle as it is fought out at a higher level. Like a considerable section of the community, the elected Pondo king spoke out against the mine, so the government replaced him with his nephew, who supports it. Monochrome animations and stunning shots of nature provide peaceful interludes in a struggle in which manipulation and deceit are the name of the game. South Africans Ryley Grunenwald and Odette Geldenhuys directed and co- produced the fi lm, which is based on the reality of the challenges faced by the Xolobeni community. It is also, importantly, an example of the struggles fought against various forms of mining across the country by indigenous peoples. The real life proponent, Transworld Energy Mineral Resources Ltd., is a South African subsidiary of the Australian based MRC Ltd., which made its fi rst attempt to mine the shores of Pondoland in 2007. The Amadiba Crisis Committee was established in the same year in response to this attempted land grab. This is a multiple award-winning fi lm both on home soil and abroad. It is one that communities around the world facing the imposition of mines can relate to. For more information, visit the fi lm’s offi cial website at http://theshorebreakmovie.com/

- 20 - groundWork - Vol 17 No 3 - September 2015 -