{"id":868,"date":"2016-11-16T17:51:15","date_gmt":"2016-11-16T17:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/frackfreesa.org.za\/?p=868"},"modified":"2016-11-16T17:51:15","modified_gmt":"2016-11-16T17:51:15","slug":"frack-free-fest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frackfreesa.org.za\/index.php\/2016\/11\/16\/frack-free-fest\/","title":{"rendered":"Frack Free Fest"},"content":{"rendered":"

The FrackFreeFest held in Matatiele in October gathered 120 delegates from communities all over South Africa-<\/h2>\n

those currently affected by mining as well as those impacted on by numerous applications for exploration licences by companies seeking to explore and exploit potential unconventional gas reserves.<\/p>\n

The Chief Whip for Matatiele was present and reminded everyone that nature conservation, tourism and agriculture are the area\u2019s investments of choice. \u201cWe need to create an awareness for nature conservation, support agriculture, promote and support eco-tourism and in so doing create an environment for investment. We don\u2019t need fracking.\u201d Someone commented from the floor \u201cWe are not prepared to lose our whole catchment for 200 jobs.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"mpop-frack-free-fest\"<\/p>\n

Bobby Peek of groundWork opened the meeting with a bit of background.<\/h3>\n

Fracking was first proposed for the Karoo in 2013. The Karoo statement in 2014 said \u2018no\u2019 to fracking.\u00a0 In October 2015, Rhino Oil & Gas put forward the first application for exploration of unconventional gas in the Matatiele region, necessitating an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken by their appointed EIA Practitioner, SLR Consulting.\u00a0 This was followed by a further eleven applications over large parts of the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Free State.\u00a0 Opposition to these applications united people from all over South Africa towards one common goal, a Frack Free South Africa.<\/p>\n

Particularly pressing, was the fact that the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for an exploration licence in the Matatiele region, where we were gathered, had already been handed to PASA and in 107 days a decision will be made that could irreversibly change the Umzimvubu Catchment Area. \u00a0Comment from the floor \u201cCan anyone afford to buy bottled water for their livestock?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership<\/a>\u00a0brings a wide range of stakeholders together to work towards agrarian reform, protection of the water catchment and restoration of rangeland, food security and the promotion of renewable energy among local communities.\u00a0 This is a positive model that demonstrates a sustainable alternate to economic security that does NOT involve mining.<\/p>\n

\"frack-free-fest-meeting\"<\/p>\n

Desmond D\u2019Sa inspired everyone with his impassioned presentation:<\/h3>\n

\u201cOur presence, our unity, our understanding of the struggle helps us to grow.\u00a0 Our presence here frightens those big players.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unity is something that takes time.\u00a0 Environmentalists need to talk openly and have frank discussions.\u00a0 It\u2019s very important that all voices are given the opportunity to come together.\u00a0 Even small voices must be heard. Everybody matters.\u00a0 That\u2019s how we develop a society.\u00a0 Unity is so important. We need to cross the road that divides us, make friends with neighbors and build trust.<\/p>\n

The United Nations has been captured by big business.\u00a0 It\u2019s all just about money.\u00a0 But we are important, we are human beings concentrating on our issues. Mining is a curse, it is not benefiting anyone, people are dying.\u00a0 Fracking is being claimed as clean energy.\u00a0 That\u2019s a lie.\u00a0 Coming together we are part of an international struggle.<\/p>\n

It is critical that we continue to build and carry on the struggle and listen to one another and share information. We have a common struggle.\u00a0 It\u2019s never just local, it\u2019s worldwide.\u00a0 How do we link our local struggle to the international struggle? \u00a0Solutions lie with us.\u00a0 We know the land and we need to fight for it.\u00a0 Once you kill the soil you can\u2019t fix it. Let\u2019s not be fooled by these powerful people.\u00a0 They control the world and ordinary people never benefit out of it. Only by working together, will the solutions for the future can be found.\u00a0\u00a0 We can stop these people.<\/p>\n

\"fffest-with-samson\"<\/p>\n

Delegates from across South Africa reported on the struggles they faced:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the Karoo<\/strong>, the Baviaans Municipality heard about fracking.\u00a0 They engaged with NGO\u2019s asking what it was and what the negative impacts were.\u00a0 Shell started to have public meetings but they could not give the people the assurance that it would be safe. It is a big area and it was important to meet together and share information. Various groups including the Church played a big role in raising awareness. Government did not engage with communities.\u00a0 Shell promised job creation but the reality is that they will bring in skilled people from elsewhere.\u00a0 Public meetings were disrupted and could not continue.\u00a0 A moratorium on fracking exploration was imposed.\u00a0 Leaders went to visit Gold mines in Gauteng and Coal mines in Mpumalanga and took this information back to their communities. Uranium mining is now also proposed for the area.<\/p>\n

A few years ago the Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership,<\/strong> a network of organisations with the aim to rehabilitate the catchment, was formed.\u00a0 We work with all roleplayers and include all Government Departments. There was a Council decision to adopt the catchment as a water factory. The mission is to promote Matatiele as an environment for tourism and agricultural investment.\u00a0 With the application for exploration Rhino Oil and Gas went to the Municipal Manager and communities to speak about development and jobs.\u00a0 The Chiefs are active members of the partnership.\u00a0 A meeting was held with Contralesa explained the dangers of fracking.\u00a0 These threats were not put forward by Rhino Oil and Gas who said 20 jobs would be available.\u00a0 They did not mention future degradation.\u00a0 The Petroleum Association of South Africa (PASA), the regulator makes the final decision.\u00a0 Will this be done without considering the community\u2019s concerns.\u00a0 A Chief of the traditional council said that Rhino Oil and Gas must talk to the people through him.\u00a0 The Chief told them to leave their water and land alone and go away.\u00a0 Other concerns we have include language barriers, all the documents are in English.\u00a0 PASA has not responded to any communication.\u00a0 Rhino Oil and Gas communicated via radio to publicize the meetings.<\/p>\n

Around Melmoth in Zululand,<\/strong> people were not compensated for their land taken for mining. They were promised schools and training.\u00a0 It was hard for the people to raise their voices.\u00a0 Promises were made that were not kept.\u00a0 Money was given to pro-mining members of the community to fund soccer teams. Rural development projects were awarded to pro-mining community members.\u00a0 The chief was made director of the mining company.\u00a0 Tractors and vehicles were given to prominent members of the community to show other community members how mining would bring a better life.\u00a0 The government doesn\u2019t listen to what people are saying.\u00a0 Tourism is undermined by mining activity.<\/p>\n

Xolobeni dune mine proposals – <\/strong>When the mining company came to tell us about their proposal we said, \u201cTake us there\u201d. \u00a0They talked a lot, they gave people money.\u00a0 The traditional court said that they were bribing us.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t want to see the mine, we wanted to speak with the affected communities.\u00a0 We saw the houses had cracks, dust on the washing, the school kids got sick.\u00a0 We saw what mining does, we don\u2019t want it on our land. Fracking is a massive onslaught over a huge area whereas mining involves single areas and affected communities often isolated from the rest of the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to walk the talk \u2013 our communities need to understand what to do.\u00a0 It is time we as people of the world decide what kind of world we want our children to grow up in.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"sabc-recording-stories\"<\/p>\n

In groups, problems were discussed, common issues mapped and ideas for strategies brainstormed. \u00a0Everyone agreed that usually, false promises are made to improve schools, offer training and jobs, remunerate Chiefs and improve basic services.<\/p>\n

what are the struggles?<\/h3>\n