DURBAN played host to over 26 environmental organisations who came together from as far as Port Nolloth on the west coast to Hluhluwe on the east coast in solidarity against oil and gas exploration.
The organisations hosted by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) included activists, ocean lovers, researchers, legal advisers and fishers.
The meeting comes when at least 14 applicants representing civil society, fishing communities and other affected parties await the outcome of their Western Cape High Court application to halt seismic activities by the Australian company Searcher Seismic using the vessel BGP Pioneer, which was sighted near St Helena Bay.
The seismic blasting in search of hydrocarbons on the west coast will have a social, economic and environmental effect, according to papers lodged in court.
The two-part application was filed on January 21 and seeks to urgently interdict the seismic activities as well as declare Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe’s decision to grant the reconnaissance permit unlawful. The matter is expected to be heard this month.
Desmond D’Sa, co-ordinator at SDCEA, said the Grahamstown High Court in Makhanda granted an interdict against Shell’s seismic survey along the Wild Coast in December.
D’Sa said many celebrated the victory for Wild Coast communities. Shell said the planned 3D seismic survey aims to explore potential hydrocarbon reserves beneath the seabed.
According to Cassandra Schnoor, a project officer at SDCEA, the twoday workshop at the Austerville Community Hall, south of Durban, came about due to the urgent need for a strategically planning session to take place in person so that when Shell returns, or any other corporation, activists are united in response, proactive in approach and effective in mobilisation.
Schnoor said attendees got to engage and build a common understanding around the struggles facing so many already vulnerable communities around South Africa’s coastline.
They also heard from Nnimmo Bassey who works with the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, which joined the session online and shared Nigeria’s experience with oil and gas.
Schnoor said fishers from KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Northern Cape spoke about the negative effects oil and gas exploration is having on their livelihoods.
D’Sa said they were not afraid to stand up because communities are backing them and standing together. They also had support from small businesses along the coastline, surfers, swimmers and traditional healers.
“We are going to have town hall meetings all along the coast. We will never stop fighting as the ocean belongs to us all.”
Country chairperson of Shell South Africa, Hloniphizwe Mtolo, said South Africa remains dependent on coal, oil and gas for its energy needs. If South Africa can find its own supplies of offshore gas, this could play a key part in changing the country’s energy mix.
He said during 2020 alone there were 325 seismic surveys conducted globally with no known harm to marine life as a result of these surveys.
Daily News