Tag Archives: Fikile Ntshangase
South African government urged to take bold steps to empower our Constitutional Rights to a healthy environment
JOINT PRESS RELEASE: 25 October 2021
On 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 #JusticeForFikile movement.
On that day one year ago, Fikile Ntshangase, was assassinated in her home in Northern KwaZulu-Natal by three unknown people. No arrests have been made to date. Fikile was a prominent member of the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organization (MCEJO), who are currently opposing the extension of Tendele Coal mine in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We won’t solve the climate crisis without protecting the defenders – and we can’t protect the defenders if murders go unpunished. Accountability for those who ordered this killing won’t bring justice for Fikile or her family, but it would go some way to preventing further violence against protectors of the earth, and therefore to preventing climate breakdown.” Kirsten Youens, Attorney and Executive Director at ALL RISE, attorneys for climate and environmental justice.
This day saw the call by climate change NGO’s who are urging the South African Government to commit to protecting those who are exercising their constitutional right to a healthy environment.
This would include:
- Providing adequate policing and security for those at risk.
- Respecting and prioritising the principle of free, prior and informed consent in all community land rights issues.
- Ending South Africa’s economic reliance on coal mining.
- Ensuring that those responsible for the murder of Fikile Ntshangase are brought to justice and held accountable.
- Taking bold actions to give prompt and real effect to our constitutional right to a healthy environment.
While this talks to South Africa, the problem is a global one. Last year, Fikile was one of 227 people around the world who lost their lives in 2020 defending their homes, their land and livelihoods, and the ecosystems we all depend on.
“The structure of the economic model inherited from the colonial system of extractivism especially in mining is increasingly bringing to the fore the role of business in human rights violations and the increasing threats to Human Rights Defenders working on land, environment and indigenous communities. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels brings the dilemma posed by the mining/energy matrix that translates into tremendous pressure on our environment and our climate as well as on land, environmental and indigenous defenders. We predict escalation in Southern Africa.” Arnold Tsunga – Chairperson for Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network.
In a live webinar discussion on Friday, hosted in support of #DefendtheDefenders, one of the panelists, Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury commented, “The climate crisis is not just one problem. We are dealing with a host of moral crises. If we cannot learn to treat our environment ethically, we cannot treat one another ethically.”
Please join the movement in celebrating the lives of defenders like Fikile and demanding justice on the hashtag: #DefendtheDefenders & #JusticeforFikile.
ENDS
Joint Press release by:
- All Rise – Attorneys for Climate and Environmental Justice
- Global Witness
- MCEJO – (Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation)
- Global Environmental Trust
- Environmental Defender Law Center
- groundWork
- Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network
Defending the Defenders Webinar – 22 October 2021
Friday, the 22nd October 2021, is one year after environmental defender, Fikile Ntshangase was murdered in her home. Watch this webinar with Kirsten Youens, Arnold Tsunga, Mary de Haas, Louis Wilson, Mary Lawlor and Rowan Williams as they discuss local and global issues and how to defend the defenders. Facilitated by Simphiwe Sidu.
This Webinar was hosted by All Rise and Global Witness.
Press Release: 18 October 2021
Call for justice for environmental defender – Fikile Ntshangase – a year after her murder in South Africa.
On October 22nd last year, Fikile Ntshangase was at home with her grandson Buyile in Ophondweni, Kwazulu-Natal province, South Africa. Three unknown men arrived and shot her dead in her living room.
Fikile was a mother and grandmother, a campaigner, and a leader, who had been opposing the extension of Tendele Coal mine in Northern KZN. Friday the 22nd will mark one year since her brazen and brutal assassination. No arrests have been made.
“We will always remember Fikile courageously standing up against Tendele coal mine’s expansion and voicing the truth. She is gone but her legacy and fight continue.” Kirsten Youens, Attorney, Executive Director, ALL RISE.
We are in the midst of a climate crisis. The South African government has a duty to protect environmental defenders and the crucial work they do in protecting the natural world. Disturbingly, they’ve been silent on Fikile Ntshangase’s murder and the daily dangers faced by other defenders.
The problem extends far beyond South Africa. Last year, Fikile was one of 227 people around the world who lost their lives in 2020 defending their homes, their land and livelihoods, and the ecosystems we all depend on. Environmental defenders have the right to be protected, the right to protest and the right to justice and accountability. Yet we see time and time again that their rights are ignored in favour of corporate interests and industry.
On Friday October 22nd , and Saturday October 23rd, colleagues and members of the public will join Fikile’s family and the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (the community organization that Fikile was part of), in a day of action and a day of remembrance.
“This week takes me back to a time that I would give anything to forget. I miss my mom, my hero and my rock. I pray for justice and peace. I pray for her legacy to live on and that her spirit awakes in us all!” Malungelo Xhakaza, daughter of Fikile Ntshangase.
All Rise and their partners urge South Africa’s parliament and government take active steps to investigate the unsolved murders of Fikile and others who lost their lives – and that other governments across the globe follow suit.
Please join the movement and the march this week in celebrating the lives of defenders like Fikile and demanding justice on the hashtag: #DefendtheDefenders & #JusticeforFikile.
To join the march, visit this link for more information: https://allrise.org.za/we-demand-justice/
Please find photography, graphics and information on Fikile at the links below:
- Audiograms
- Graphics
- Photographs
- Join our webinar on the 22nd October 2pm (GMT +2) with Kirsten Youens, Arnold Tsunga, Mary de Haas, Louis Wilson, Mary Lawlor and Rowan Williams as we discuss local and global issues and how we defend the defenders. Facilitate by Simphiwe Sidu. Register for the webinar here.
ENDS:
More information:
ALL RISE is a non-profit company, public benefit organisation and registered law clinic with an all women board of directors (executive and non-executive). We are the only pro bono attorneys in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, working exclusively in the environmental field and one of a few in the country. We assist communities and organisations to assert their Constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being. https://allrise.org.za/
Global Witness works to hold companies and governments to account for their destruction of the environment, their disregard for the planet and their failure to protect human rights. https://www.globalwitness.org/en/
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 sums her up very well. When she arrived at meetings her presence was manifest. She dressed elegantly and sat in the front rows. She engaged actively in what was being presented and was not afraid to express what was on her mind. She was meticulous about gathering information and armed with the facts, she was fearless in speaking truth to power. She challenged ministers, high-ranking officials, and traditional leaders and would call them to account.
Fikile’s activism started in high school, where she was involved in community service to counter the injustices and inequality of the apartheid regime.
As a young woman, she was active in politics but unencumbered by party politics. She aligned herself with those who shared her views and values more than with a political party, especially one that was failing the very people it was created to serve. Her objective was to change the repressive and unjust society she grew up in and not about seeking personal power. She wanted people to experience freedom and justice, and to know their rights and fight for them, especially their constitutional and land rights. She even named her daughter Malungelo, which means “rights” in Zulu.
Things also had to be done right. Fikile spoke out strongly when things were done in an unacceptable way or did not follow the required protocols. She was relentless when she came across an irregularity and would raise the issue at every opportunity until she was heard. She saw it as her civic duty to expose what was wrong and unacceptable, and to educate people about the right way to do things. She had been a teacher and would not accept the idea that if you lived in a rural community you were uninformed.
Fikile valued and appreciated herself as a woman and encouraged young women to respect themselves and be aware of the important contribution women made to the world. She was a mother, grandmother, and a pillar of the Ophondweni community. Her home was always open. She never turned anyone away who came to her in need. She was also a loving wife and enjoyed a very happy marriage with her late husband who fully supported and respected her and her work.
The Global Environmental Trust and All Rise are honoured to have worked closely with Mam Fikile and support all efforts to share her rich and instructive story. As a committed teacher, Fikile would have appreciated any helpful learnings that emerge from her life …. and her death.
This article was also published in saveourwilderness.org