Warm, Loving and Wise…These three words best describe Gogo Ndlovu according to the GET research team who are interviewing elders in Somkhele to learn what life was like in the area as far back as the 1930s. Sadly, on the afternoon of 16 November, Gogo Ndlovu passed away, a couple of weeks after she had […]
Continue readingTag Archives: MCEJO
Community Rights Vindicated against Unscrupulous Department of Minerals and Energy and “Egregious” Mining Company
This article was first published on the website of All Rise – Attorneys for climate and environmental justice Judgment in the long-standing matter of MCEJO and Others v Minister of Minerals and Energy and Others was handed down on the evening of 4 May 2022. In her well-reasoned 48-page judgment Judge Bam finds in favour […]
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South African government urged to take bold steps to empower our Constitutional Rights to a healthy environment
JOINT PRESS RELEASE: 25 October 2021On Friday, 22 October, in remembrance and support of environmental activist and campaigner, Fikile Ntshangase, a group consisting of environmental justice activists, NGOs and community members, from the area surrounding a controversial coal mine, marched on the anniversary of her murder. The march was in support of the #DefendTheDefenders and […]
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Unforgettable Fikile
By Sheila Berry Mam Fikile Ntshangase was a shero who paid with her life for her strong belief in justice and integrity. It took 6 bullets from a hired assassin’s gun to silence this 63-year-old woman who unflinchingly spoke out against corruption, illegal actions and acts of betrayal. Fikile’s name means “arrived” in Zulu and […]
Continue readingMEDIA RELEASE:MINING RIGHT FACES GROWING OPPOSITION
29 April 2021 [See below for Contacts.] MINING RIGHT FACES GROWING OPPOSITION The Gauteng High Court has accepted the intervention of four new applicants in the review of Tendele coal mine’s contested 212km2 mining right issued in 2016 by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). Pretoria, Gauteng – Judgment was received on Wednesday, 28 April […]
Continue reading50|50 Documentary – ZAC Mining
The 50|50 team visited Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC) on the Western border of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, near Ulundi, in August 2020 and filmed this documentary about the impacts of coal mining on the rivers and water in the region and the devastating consequences for communities, their livestock, wildlife and biodiversity. The extent of the dishonesty that emerges is a shocking indictment of the mining sector. The documentary is a tribute to Thanda Zulu who had the courage and tenacity to persist in drawing attention to the injustices in his community.
A Threat More Deadly than Covid-19
Keeping safe against Covid-19 is a challenge in Somkhele, where lack of water is a serious issue, but how do you protect yourself against a hail of bullets through your kitchen and bedroom windows after dark where your children are in bed asleep? On Friday, 24 April 2020, a grandmother and her family in Ophondweni […]
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MEDIA RELEASE – Critical High Court Application pushes for mining sector compliance
Wednesday, in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, a strong legal team is determined to ensure the right to appeal the dismissal of GET & MCEJO’s application exposing Tendele coal mine’s lack of compliance with environmental laws and the Constitution, and to ensure the mining sector complies with the law. MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Critical […]
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Law Applies to All – except to Tendele
Two hundred members of the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (MCEJO) from Somkhele and Fuleni, in Zululand, held a peaceful but powerful demonstration outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday to draw attention to their strong opposition to the Tendele coal mine accused of operating without the required authorisations concerning environmental impacts, management of toxic […]
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Media Release – Summary of Proceedings: Tendele/Somkhele Coal Mining Case
The application brought by The Global Environment Trust (GET) and members of Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organization (MCEJO) against Tendele Coal Mining (PTY) LTD, on 24 August 2018 in the Pietermaritzburg Supreme Court has been heard. Judgement to be handed down in about 3 months PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: Our day In court: Our senior counsel, […]
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