We are the Global Environmental Trust (PBO number 930037655, NPO number 090-813), established 7 years ago to defend important natural areas. The South African government promotes coal mining and currently hundreds of open cast coal mining operations are being proposed in sensitive rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal, notwithstanding South Africa being signatories to international protocols to decrease the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. The people in the Somkhele area face the same challenges that most traditional African farming communities in South Africa face: poverty, marginalization and discrimination, lack of support and information about legislation and their rights, and the capacity to defend their lands. Women farmers face an additional level of burden of gender discrimination; their roles and responsibilities within the family and community have been eroded and are no longer recognized. More than 52% of the households in the Somkhele area are headed by women. Impacts from coal mining adds to the pressure and communities face the risk of losing their land and their heritage through links to their scared natural sites, including the graves of respected ancestors. This project intends to raise funds to legally oppose coal mining activities that are harming the environment and communities. Two existing mines and one proposed coal mine are the focus of this project, and are all within six kilometres of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, home of the white rhino, elephant, and wild dog, which are all endangered. The communities living on this land are subsistence farmers, were once part of the wealthy agricultural kingdoms of the Mkhwanazi and Mthetwa Zulu clans, with their own indigenous cattle and sheep. Now they struggle to survive on land devastated by the impacts of coal mining. Thousands of people have been dispossessed of their tribal land, livelihoods and well being by coal mines.
Our attorneys representing have uncovered a number of administrative irregularities relating to the current mining operations and have instituted legal action in this regard. Advocates and attorneys are currently working pro bono. All funds raised through this project will be applied at public interest law rates to continue the fight in this matter and other related matters, such as a potential class action for compensation for thousands of affected individuals and families.
http://www.globalenvironmentaltrust.org/
https://youensattorneys.co.za/
https://saveourwilderness.org/
