Yearly Archives: 2023

LOOKING BACK ON 2023

Good News!

EIA Guide Launched in isiZulu

The isiZulu EIA Guide has been launched!  We are so proud of this extremely valuable tool for EIA practitioners and isiZulu speakers developed in collaboration with IAIAsa. It took two years to create, and we are sure it will be received with enthusiasm and used frequently in EIA processes.

We thank all those involved in the creation of the groundbreaking Guide and its distribution and hope that it is used widely by communities and by Environmental Assessment Practitioners when consulting with communities in EIA processes.

We are very grateful to the funders – IAIA and OSF-SA – who made this possible as well as to the many IAIAsa members for review and facilitation, to Wakhiwe for translation and to MCEJO for actively participating.

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Awards and Recognition

We were very proud to have won The Eco-Warrior Award at the 2023 Eco-Logic Awards held on 9 November 2023 in Cape Town. The Eco-Logic Awards, in partnership with DSTV and WildAid, showcases and supports those who provide products, services and interventions that are ‘Good for People and Planet’. The awards are an opportunity for every one of us to support and participate in building a safer, kinder and more sustainable society and environment to live in.

The awards show will be televised on People’s Weather DStv channel 180 and Openview channel 115 on 2 and 16 December at 8am / 2pm.

All Rise is also delighted to share that we have been recognised as one of the winners under the ‘Mining’ category at this year’s Mail & Guardian Greening the Future awards. We are extremely thankful for the recognition our work is receiving and even more so, to share the win with a number of inspiring organisations.  Advocating for and enhancing climate and environmental justice requires a collective stance and we look forward to continuing to work together into 2024.
Read More Here

Opportunities for Participation in the Discussion

We have had many invitations to participate in exciting and important events this year, including:

  • Presentation to UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders.

  • Presentation to UN Special Rapporteur for Toxics and Human Rights.

  • Presentation at the Symposium on Community, Psychology and Climate Justice.

  • Presenting and chairing at the Green Justice for Africa Conference at the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria.

  • Presenting and part of a panel discussion at the POLLEN conference – Political Ecology Network Political Ecology: North, South, and Beyond, 2023, University of KZN, Durban.

  • Presenting, chairing and being part of a panel discussion at the IAIAsa Conference in Mpumalanga.

Photo taken by Janet Solomon at the launch of the Climate Justice Charter Movement

  • Presenting and part of a panel discussion at International network of Civil Liberties Organizations’ (INCLO) webinar on persecution of environmental defenders.

  • Participating in a Podcast for Just Us and the Climate [link].

  • Collaborating in the launch of the Climate Justice Charter Movement.

  • Collaborating in the Animal Law Project.

  • Collaborating in the Harmonious Co-Existence with Nature Project.

  • Becoming a member of the Wildlife Well-being Forum.

  • Spending 3 days in the White Lion Heartlands with Linda Tucker.

  • Lihle spending two weeks at the White Lion Leadership Academy.
Education, Training, and Awareness

We collaborated with the Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education, whose work focuses on supporting activists and social justice formations through offering education programs. We took part in a training workshop in Durban that focused on the law and social justice, with particular regard to the question of whether the constitution is a tool for social justice and how activists can use it.

In July we facilitated a two-day EIA training workshop at Fuleni in isiZulu. The community was delighted to receive the training in their language. They told us that the training has been a great help and they now know what kind of questions to ask the developer, especially the proposed mine that wants to come to their village.

Another collaboration was with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (Alliance) where we provided training on EIA with the mining-affected community in Melmoth and the other activists.
Education, Training, and Awareness

Mpungose Climate Manifesto

A collaboration between Inkosi Thandisizwe Mpungose, the Mpungose community of Eshowe, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, and ALL RISE; has resulted in the creation of a significant Community Climate Change Manifesto.

Drafted by members of the Mpungose community at a workshop hosted by key role players, this Manifesto acknowledges the devastating effects of climate change and highlights the need for a community-driven response to this issue. Furthermore, the Manifesto outlines responsibilities and actions to be taken by the Mpungose community, as well as calls to government to make changes needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The collaboration was made possible by: ALL RISE and Bekezela Community Foundation, in partnership with the Southern Africa Trust.
CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Black Girls Rising

We are thrilled to be working with Black Girls Rising in moving forward with our collaboration with BCF and the Mpungose Traditional Authority. Three girls from different schools in Ishoweni area have been selected to be ambassadors of Black Girls Rising.

Black Girls Rising aims to raise well-informed and embodied girl leaders to be at the forefront of and take action against Climate Change. Many youth activists suffer and struggle with mental health and climate anxiety. Black Girls Rising focuses on building emotional well-being and trauma-informed Afrocentric awareness around climate advocacy. We are all so proud of being involved in this wonderful initiative and of the girls for being selected! We look forward to hearing all about their course and progress.
OPPOSING UNSUSTAINABLE PROJECTS ON BEHALF OF COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND NGOS

Tendele’s Somkhele Coal Mine

In spite of our successful judgment against Tendele Coal Mining in 2022, Tendele issued a notice to commence mining in February this year and ignored our requests to first comply with the requirements of Bam J’s judgment (complete an EIA process and obtain community consent), implement a proper Resettlement Action Plan, and comply with legal requirements contained within the conditions of the mining right and EMPr and the EIA regulations which require prior authorisation for the removal of indigenous vegetation and the building of roads (to name a few), prior to commencing.

In the eighteen months since Bam J’s judgment we have had to launch two interdict applications and request the Minister once again to suspend Tendele’s mining right. However, Tendele is determined to commence mining in the near future despite not having completed the EIA process or sought additional authorisation for new listed activities and water uses.

All Rise continues to support the courageous community members of MCEJO whose love of their land, families, community and culture keep them strong in their fight for their rights, including an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being, and for justice, including compensation for past wrongs.

For more detailed updates, please see our website.
See our comments on Tendele’s latest draft Scoping Report here.

Other Proposed Coal Mines – EIA Processes

The onslaught for coal around the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park continues, and we are participating in the following EIA process for various mining and prospecting applications:

  • Prospecting application by Imvukuzane in the Fuleni Reserve on the south-eastern boundary of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and south of Tendele’s Somkhele Mine, Area 1.

  • Prospecting application by Yengo Resources (Pty) Ltd) in the Ximba Traditional Authority area on the southwestern boundaries of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.

  • Prospecting application by Jaments (Pty) Ltd in the Mdletshe Traditional Authority and the Mpukunyoni Traditional Authority on the eastern side of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.

  •  Prospecting application by MDZ Fleet Solutions situated in the Magisterial District of King Cetshwayo in KwaZulu-Natal Province near Empangeni and in close proximity to Thula Thula Game Reserve

  • A second prospecting application by Jaments in the Hlabisa Municipality northwest of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.

Jindal’s Iron Ore Mine

ALL RISE acts on behalf of on behalf of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, Durban office (“SDCEA”), the Nwaleni Water User Association (“NWUA”) and the Nkwalini and Surrounds Supporting Sustainable Rural Development community organisation (“NSSSRD”) against the application for environmental authorisation for the proposed Jindal Melmoth Iron Ore Project (“the Project”) in the Mthonjaneni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

The North Block is 8467 ha, and the South Block is 11 703 ha in extent. The Project is to develop an open pit iron ore mine and processing facility on the site to extract 32 million tonnes of iron ore per annum – a total area of 202 km2. According to the EIAR, a substantial number of properties form part of this Mining Right Application.

See our comments on the EIA here.

Searcher: Off-Shore Oil and Gas Exploration in Bazaruto, Mozambique

In October 2023, All Rise joined a consortium of 57 organisations to submit comments on the EIA for the proposed Searcher off-shore seismic acquisition and offshore drilling project in the Save Basin, Inhambane Province.

The large consortium includes All Rise, Justica Ambiental, Mission Blue, RE: Wild, Natural Justice, Our Children’s Earth Foundation (OCE), and the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF), to name a few.

There are three conservation areas located to the west of the Project area namely, the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (8km away); São Sebastião Total Protection Zone (9 km); and Pomene National Reserve (11 km).

Potential fatal flaws or questions have not been identified and properly considered:

1.   Activities in total protection or conservation areas.

2.   Presence of “Species Critically in and/or In Danger” (e.g. dugongs and turtles).

3.   Presence of a range of endemic or restricted species (e.g. corals and molluscs).

4.   Presence of “Migratory/Congregatory Species”, where this habitat may be considered a unit of discreet management for those species (e.g. certain cetaceans, prawns species, turtles).

5.   Crucial area for the provision of services and key ecosystems in the national, provincial or district scale (e.g. seagrass beds, mangroves, coral reefs).

The full submission in English and Portuguese may be found here.

We are also working on a number of other mining projects in Mozambique.
ONGOING MATTERS

Psychological Trauma Report expanded

At our request, Dr Barnwell expanded his psycho-social impact assessment to include additional participants in current and historical mining areas in Somkhele and prepared a second study of people living in Tendele’s future mining areas. These reports will be released soon.

Assassination of Mam’Fikile Ntshangase

Another year has passed, and we are still waiting for Fikile’s killers to be brought to justice. We are still in communication with the detective working the case and cannot give up hope that her killers will eventually be found.

We hope you have had the opportunity to watch the Gooseberry Granny’s Daughter, a documentary film about Fikile, her daughter and the struggle to defend their land against mining. It screened at Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, opening night Africa Human Rights Film Fest, Our Heritage, Our Planet – online festival, I Will Tell International Film Festival and Sandton Film Festival, where best director was awarded.

It has also been nominated for Best Short Documentary at the I Will Tell International Film Festival in Florida, USA, at the Ekurhuleni International Film Festival and the @Luanda International Pan African Film Festival Festival Internacional de Cinema Panafricano de Luanda 22 November 2023.
The doccie will also be showing at the following upcoming festivals:

– The Ekurhuleni International Film Festival. Nov 29 – Dec 30, 2023,

– Ananse Cinema International Film Festival, Ghana. Nov 29 – Dec 30, 2023, and

– FINIFA, Cinéma Sahara, Agadir, Morocco: 7-11 December 2023.

The selected films will explore themes such as migration, globalization, environmental preservation, and the promotion of peace and tolerance.
Watch the Trailer Here
ENDING OFF

As we all look forward to the December break, please continue to keep an eye on our social pages for updates and news. We wish you ALL a wonderful Festive Season and happy, restful and peaceful holidays.

Remember:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” 
– Margaret Mead.

Kirsten, Janice and Lihle
**As a non-profit clinic, we need funding to do our work. If you would like to support us, we would be very grateful! Head to this link to donate.

All Rise wins Mail and Guardian “Greening the Future” award.

 

All Rise is honoured to the receive the Mail and Guardian “Greening the Future” award in the mining category.

Thank you for this recognition.

 

Kirsten Youens and Janice Tooley
Kirsten Youens and Janice Tooley are the founders of ALL RISE, a non-profit and registered law clinic for climate and environmental justice in KwaZulu-Natal. ALL RISE is one of a few law clinics in South Africa with a specific focus on environmental and climate change law. These committed and experienced attorneys work pro bono for […]

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guide in English and isiZulu

The South African affiliate of IAIA, IAIAsa, together with All Rise Attorneys for Climate and Environmental Justice recently launched a bilingual Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guide in English and isiZulu. Funding for this innovative best practice tool was provided by IAIA and OSF-SA.

 

All too often, community members are left out of decision-making processes that directly impact their health and well-being and that of their environment. The isiZulu Environmental Impact Assessment guide aims to make EIA accessible to communities directly affected by proposed developments in their areas.

EIA Guide .pdf

isiZulu EIA Guide

EIA Guide – B_W.pdf

#Mpungose: A community-driven response to climate change

We are excited to share news of a dedicated collaboration between Inkosi Thandisizwe Mpungose, the Mpungose community of Eshowe, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, and ALL RISE, which has resulted in the creation of a significant Community Climate Change Manifesto.

Workshopping a groundbreaking document

In October 2022, Inkosi Thandisizwe Mpungose invited ALL RISE to facilitate the first community-based climate change workshop in the Mpungose Traditional Authority. Over 40 delegates; including learners, educators, farmers, and leaders of the Mpungose community; attended the two-day workshop.  

The purpose of this gathering was to talk about climate change and its impacts on the community, what our government is doing about it, and what can be done to mitigate the negative impacts both as individuals and as a community. The workshop aimed to inform and assist the community in taking action and putting together a community document outlying actions to take to mitigate the impacts of climate change. A key component included presentations from school learners of the Mpungose community. 

This workshop began a very important process to develop the Mpungose community-driven response to climate change, which hopes to drive similar action for communities near and far.

The Mpungose Community Climate Change Manifesto

The outcome of this workshop was a groundbreaking Manifesto drafted by members of the Mpungose community. This Manifesto acknowledges the devastating effects of climate change and highlights the need for a community-driven response to this issue.

The Mpungose Community Climate Change Manifesto calls on the Government to create necessary policies and plans, work with environmental stakeholders, and uphold the fundamental rights as provided in the Constitution in adherence with IDP Framework and the National Environmental Management Act.

Additionally, it calls on the Government, businesses, and all South Africans to uphold their duty to prevent pollution and other environmental damage to promote conservation and sustainable development for us and future generations.

Furthermore, the Manifesto outlines responsibilities and actions to be taken by the Mpungose community, such as actively participating in the conservation of natural resources and wildlife, promoting indigenous knowledge, creating awareness, and so much more. 

The importance of a community-driven approach to climate change

Climate change and environmental degradation pose a severe threat to communities worldwide. With each passing day, the world is warming at an unprecedented rate. It has been proven that the effects of climate change are often experienced disproportionately by rural communities, highly dependent on natural resources – especially women and children-headed households. Despite this, more needs to be done to empower or involve these communities in these discussions and decisions affecting their lives and livelihoods. Every member of every community has a right to a safe environment, to participate in discussions, and to be heard. 

The ability to input on matters that directly impact our lives and our environment is an essential component of our dignity and rights. Without a strong human rights element, protecting the environment, biodiversity and water or adequately addressing climate change issues is impossible.

The Mpungose Community Climate Change Manifesto is a real example of a community-driven response to climate change in South Africa. We hope many will read the document and strive to implement similar policies in their communities. 

This collaboration has been made possible by All RISE and Bekezela Community Foundation in partnership with the Southern Africa Trust.