DURBAN - Twenty-seven years on and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) still pays tribute to Nelson Mandela who they met on March 23, 1995, in Wentworth.
Next Wednesday, SDCEA will be remembering the impact Mandela had on the alliance.
The alliance commemorated Mandela’s visit by erecting a monument – a rock – in a small garden alongside Quality Street in Wentworth.
Desmond D’sa, SDCEA, co-ordinator, said in the 80s and early 90s, for nearly a decade the significantly high number of residents who suffered from asthma, cancer, leukemia, and other localised health problems had blamed their high death rate, diminished quality of life, and poor health on the high levels of toxic pollution emitted by local chemical and petro-chemical industries surrounding Wentworth.
He said children and particularly those communities living along the fence line of the Engen Oil Refinery as well as the nearby SAPREF, Mondi, and other south Durban chemical industries were particularly adversely affected.
D’Sa said that former president Mandela had been invited to officially open the Engen expansion project in 1995.
“On noticing the picket at Engen’s entrance, Mandela stopped his entourage so he could personally engage with the protesters. He brushed aside his security detail with the words: “These communities are my people; please stand aside, I want to listen to my people”.
D’Sa said Mandela was considerably moved by residents’ grievances and convened meetings to bring all stakeholders together to find a solution to the unacceptably high pollution levels that were affecting the south Durban communities.
“The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) echo the sentiments shared by Nelson Mandela and is humbled by the compassion shown by one of the world’s greatest leaders.”
The SDCEA’s strength lies in the rock-solid foundations, rooted in its communities’ struggles.
To commemorate Nelson Mandela’s visit, the SDCEA erected a monument – a rock – in a small garden alongside Quality Street in Wentworth.
“The rock that forms the centrepiece of this monument symbolises the former president’s strength of leadership and serves to inspire steadfast opposition to all forms of injustice, be it from government or corporate industry.
He said the gardens enclosing the monument represent sensitivity, humility, compassion, and responsiveness to “his people” as well as the importance of natural, green spaces amid the toxic, polluted south Durban environment.
The SDCEA continues to build on the legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela for a clean and healthy environment for all.
The SDCEA is an environmental justice organisation based in Durban. It is made up of 19 affiliate organisations and has been active since its formation in 1995. It is a non-government organisation existing solely on finances sourced from funders and sponsors in order to remain totally independent.
Daily News