It has been five years since the High court ruling (on 26 April 2017) that exposed the severity of state corruption and halted government’s “illegal and unconstitutional” R1-trillion nuclear energy deal with Russia. This collective action, which gave Freedom Month a whole new meaning to all those involved, was a national effort by many civil society organisations, academics … [Read more...]
Is the Koeberg lifespan extension really a good idea?
The latest announcement from Eskom that ‘planned maintenance’ work has stalled at Koeberg nuclear power station, due to a lack of preparation, is just more evidence that citizens should be concerned about Eskom’s nuclear management and readiness, says the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI). Following January’s announcement that Unit 2 of the … [Read more...]
Concerned citizens call for more nuclear transparency
The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) joined communities and other eco-justice NGOs – including Project 90 by 2030, Koeberg Alert Alliance, 350 Africa, the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, and more – for a peaceful demonstration outside the National Nuclear Regulator’s (NNR) offices in Table View, Cape Town on Thursday. According to … [Read more...]
Nuclear protest highlights safety concerns at Koeberg
An anti-nuclear demonstration held on Bloubergstrand Beach on 16 December highlighted concerns of Capetonians about the implications of Eskom extending Koeberg’s lifespan next year. The nuclear plant reaches the end of its 40-year lifespan in 2024 but Eskom is trying to extend its operating life by another 20 years before any public consultation. The event was organised … [Read more...]
Major concerns over government’s nuclear energy obsession
The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg – the two civil society organisations who took the South African government to court over its illegal and unconstitutional R1-trillion nuclear deal with Russia in 2017 – are concerned at the new push by the Department of Minister Resources and Energy (DMRE) for more nuclear … [Read more...]
Perfect storm brews after more issues at Koeberg
The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) says a combination of factors currently impacting the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (Koeberg), on top of Eskom’s inability to keep the power on, could result in the perfect storm for the country. SAFCEI’s Executive Director Francesca de Gasparis says, “It is disturbing that one of Koeberg’s two units has … [Read more...]
Lessons learned during landmark SA nuclear court case
On Monday 26 April, it will be four years since the Western Cape High Court found the government’s R1-trillion nuclear deal and associated energy procurement processes to be “illegal and unconstitutional”. South Africa was spared from a corrupt deal under the Zuma government that would have bankrupted the country. This day also marks 35-years since the Chernobyl nuclear … [Read more...]
Global coalition demands cage-free eggs
Today, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) joins a large-scale global cage-free campaign launched against Restaurant Brands International (RBI), owner of leading brands Burger King and Popeyes. The campaign – led by a coalition of more than eighty (80) influential animal protection non-profit organizations worldwide – urges the company to … [Read more...]
Call for urgent clarification of SA greenhouse gas objectives
A range of civil society organisations are taking their call for urgent clarification of greenhouse gas emissions objectives to the Public Protector. The complaint regards failure to implement provisions on mitigation in the National Climate Change Response White Paper, adopted by Cabinet in October 2011; most particularly the setting of “desired emission reduction outcomes” … [Read more...]
Free our Chapman’s Peak
On Sunday a wonderful gathering of families with children and dogs met to challenge the proposal of a major office block set to be built on Chapman’s Peak, estimated to cost around R58 million. Robin Carlisle, the MEC for the WC graciously acknowledged the somewhat 2 thousand people gathered on the mountain, saying he had expected only 5 hundred. He said it was essential … [Read more...]
Youth demand climate action in parliament
Women and the youth spoke up strongly during the public hearings on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper in parliament, conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs. Women and the youth spoke up strongly during the public hearings on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper in parliament, conducted by the Portfolio Committee on … [Read more...]
Time to heal the planet
"No country should be building new polluting coal-fired power stations, and the World Bank should certainly not make it possible by financing any fossil fuel projects," stated Bishop Geoff Davies, Executive Director of the Southern African Faith Communities' Environment Institute (SAFCEI). "The World Bank should only fund clean renewable energy generation and that does not … [Read more...]
