Tribute to Mr Jeremiya Bhekinkosi Makhoba (9 March 1939 to 25 June 2023)
The death of 84-year-old Mr Jeremiya Bhekinkosi Makhoba on 25 June 2023 brings with it a distinct sadness. Instead of living the last few years of his life enjoying the peace and tranquillity of his rural homestead in the farming community of Ophondweni, sitting under his favourite guava tree outside his front door, he spent […]
Gooseberry Grandmother’s Daughter
Today we celebrate Human Rights day in SA and those heroes and sheroes committed to achieving human and environmental rights in our country, even at the cost of their lives. This sensitive new documentary, made by filmmaker Julie Laurenz, is about Fikile Ntshangase, the 63 year old woman who was shot dead in her home […]
Prevent Coal Prospecting in Fuleni on the Boundary of the iMfolozi Wilderness Area
For almost 10 years, the Fuleni community has stood strong and united in defence of their land against numerous coal mining threats. The first onslaught was by Ibutho Coal in 2014, which Fuleni courageously defeated. Fuleni is now being threatened by Imvukuzane Resources. On 2 February 2023, the department of mineral resources and energy (DMRE) […]
TRIBUTE TO GOGO MARIA NDLOVU
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 […]
ZAC’s Devastating Pollution Dam Breach
This is the third 50|50 documentary programme that exposes the dishonesty that characterises Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC), not only currently but for much of its existence. When the lies start at the top, it soon becomes the culture of an organisation where everyone defaults to being dishonest, especially when in a corner.
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 […]
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 […]
Unforgettable Fikile’s Golden Dream
By Sheila Berry 2021 was to be the year of jam making in Ophondweni. Not any jam but a very particular jam with the name of Qhomqhom in Zulu. This is the name given to gooseberries that grow in abundance in this part of KwaZulu Natal. Fikile had been very excited when she first saw […]