Martinus Fredericks, a man from a semi-industrial town in South Africa, Atlantis, found out in 2012 that he was a direct descendant of the leader of the !Ama tribe in Namibia. This shocking revelation led him to become the face of a social and environmental battle to fight for the rights of his people who have been marginalized for at least 350 years. The !Ama people, pastoralists who roamed freely before European colonization, have been excluded from their land and resources by successive governments.
Mining activities, especially diamond mining, have wreaked havoc on the West Coast, an environmentally important region. Heavy sand mining for minerals threatens to destroy entire ecosystems along the coastline. Despite legal requirements for rehabilitation after mining operations, government enforcement is poor, and mining firms often evade responsibility. The efforts to protect the West Coast from destructive mining activities are spearheaded by activists like Mike Schlebach, who are determined to prevent mining from destroying the region’s biodiversity.
The Richtersveld community, with Martinus Fredericks as their leader, made a land claim in 1998 demanding control over mineral rights in the region. A legal victory in 2003 granted them ownership of the land and its resources. However, despite this ruling, the community remains impoverished and marginalized, with corrupt local officials and government agents exploiting the resources at the community’s expense. The community’s cry for justice has been ignored, with fertile farmland turning into wasteland and mining activities encroaching into protected areas.
Protect the West Coast, a nonprofit organization founded by Mike Schlebach, has become a powerful force in advocating for the preservation of the West Coast and the rights of communities affected by mining activities. The organization has successfully rallied support from various stakeholders, including scientists, fishers, lawyers, and activists, to push for a moratorium on mining applications and halt destructive mining operations. Through social media campaigns, community activism, and legal pressure, Protect the West Coast aims to give a voice to the people who call the region home.
The organization has made significant strides in its mission, including stopping mining operations at the mouth of the Olifants River and raising awareness about the threats posed by mining activities. Suzanne du Plessis, an environmental activist, has been instrumental in the fight to preserve the Olifants Estuary from destructive mining practices. The collaboration between Protect the West Coast and local activists has brought attention to the environmental and social impacts of irresponsible mining and mobilized a diverse group of people to protect the region’s natural resources.
With the development of the RIPL app, Protect the West Coast aims to make it easier for concerned citizens to object to mining rights applications and engage in the decision-making process. The organization’s commitment to financial sustainability and continued advocacy for communities affected by mining activities underscores their dedication to preserving the last pristine stretches of the West Coast. As they continue to pursue their multi-faceted approach to environmental protection and social justice, Protect the West Coast remains a driving force in the fight against destructive mining practices in South Africa.
