The immense socio-economic impact under one of the world’s most extreme lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in South Africans uniting for their voices to be heard under a grassroots movement called Move One Million. The movement, launched in July 2020, has garnered interest from half a million South Africans to date and organisers are using a combination of … [Read more...]
Enough of the climate nightmare. It’s time to paint the dream
Let’s talk about the dream, not just the nightmare. Imagine the cities and towns of the future: clean, green, with decent air quality, hospitable to walking and cycling, powered by renewables, with green space, not concrete jungles, and rewarding jobs in green industries. That isn’t just a conceit for the imagination but a tangible vision of the future produced by thinktank … [Read more...]
Yet more secrets for nuclear power
Yet another secretive Section 34 Determination for nuclear power had been signed by the current Minister of Energy, Tina Joemat-Pettersson. This was revealed in Court during what was described as a “disquieting” twist of events by senior counsel for the State (Marius Oosthuizen SC) on Tuesday. In the Western Cape High Court Environmental Justice Groups - Earthlife Africa … [Read more...]
The time has come to un-muzzle the SABC
The SABC is under attack - corrupted into a pro-government megaphone that deafens democracy and drowns out dissent. Six journalists have now been suspended for criticising the propaganda policies of SABC chief, Hlaudi Motsoeneng. Policies that silence reports on public protests and require 80% of SABC news to be good news - news the government likes. As elections … [Read more...]
Nuclear goes ahead, despite omission from NDC
Nuclear was not part of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC document)which our country submitted to COP21 ahead of the conference. Yet now we are going ahead with nuclear? Ahead of COP21 in Paris last year, civil society met with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to give input into the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution for South Africa (INDC). … [Read more...]
Working together to conserve water
This year, National Water Week takes place from Monday, 17 March until Sunday, 23 March 2014. The National Department of Water Affairs have released the following key messages. Water is a scarce resource – let us work together to conserve it! Water scarcity is a global challenge that effects many regions in the world with Southern Africa being the hardest hit. South … [Read more...]
Freedom of press under threat
Press freedom is once again seriously threatened. Please become informed and take action. Melanie Gosling (pictured) of the Cape Times wrote a story about the irregular tender and the findings of the Public Protector which included that: “the awarding of the tender to Sekunjalo Marine Service Consortium was improper” and that the “fisheries department had failed to deal with … [Read more...]
Gezi Park: a historic defence of democracy
"Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong that will be imposed upon them." – Frederick Douglass, American ex-slave civil rights leader. The citizens of Istanbul now appear in control of Gezi Park, protecting one of the last and most treasured green spaces in Istanbul from conversion to a shopping mall. The … [Read more...]
Saving trees costing lives in Turkey
A friend of ours from Germany received this urgent message last night from her friend Anne who has lived in Turkey for some years now. Here is her plea: Something terrible is happening in Turkey. It all began with a peaceful demonstration against deforestation of 80-year-old trees in a park (Geziparki) located in Taksim Square, where the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is … [Read more...]
The end of the world as we know it?
The end of the world? No, the world isn't falling apart, as you might have read lately, but those structures and institutions supporting it as we knew it: capitalist markets, civilized norms, personal autonomy, global cooperation, and democratic processes. As modern people, we are used to thinking in linear and progressive terms, open to the future. Certainly, there were … [Read more...]
Help protect us from secrecy
In November 2011, the National Assembly passed the Secrecy Bill, ignoring a monumental public outcry. It was a sad day for South Africa's democracy, and it became known as Black Tuesday. The battle now moves to The National Council of Provinces and President Zuma, who both must approve the Bill before it becomes law. We must keep challenging this draconian bill and taking … [Read more...]
The march of democracy
In 1989, Francis Fukuyama declared that democracy would eventually emerge as the universal form of human government. The intervening years have given ample ammunition to those who disagree. Indeed, the inexorable rise of China has led some to dismiss democracy’s messy compromises in favour of authoritarian efficiency. People are prepared to sacrifice their freedoms, the … [Read more...]
SA committed to fighting climate change
Edna Molewa, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, issued the following statement at the UNFCCC COP17 press briefing on Tuesday 29 November. The South African government recognises that the impacts of Climate Change have the potential to undermine the major developmental gains that we have made, particularly since the advent of our democracy. The South African … [Read more...]
