Environmental politics: the case of the Xolobeni Mining Project in Mbizana, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Sibane, Nomsa Virginia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Environmental protection -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mining law -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minerals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil (Environmental Studies)
- Identifier: vital:11880 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007574 , Environmental protection -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mining law -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minerals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This research explored the nature of conflict that arose in Xolobeni, a small area in the Mbizana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and the environmental politics emanating from the arguments that supported development rather than environmental protection. The proposed mining project was known as the Xolobeni mining development project within the Amadiba Tribal Authority, an area dominated by Pondos or (Mpondos). The Xolobeni area is located between the Mzamba and Mtentu Rivers, covering some 2 867 hectares, and extends for 20km along the coast of the Mbizana Local Municipality, in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality. In 2005, the Minister of the National Department of Minerals and Energy (DME), now known as the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, announced that an Australian company, Transworld Energy and Minerals (TEM) will establish a mining development project in Xolobeni to mine red sand dunes which are contained within five blocks, each named after the river at its southern boundary. These blocks were Mtentu, Sikombe, Kwanyana, Mnyameni and Mphalane. According to the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002), the Department of Minerals and Energy is the sole custodian of the mining licence and therefore the only Department that issues mining licences. The research investigated the nature of conflict that erupted in Xolobeni after this announcement, resulting in the formation of two groups namely, the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) which represented the communities who were against the mining project in the area and the Xolobeni Local Community (Xolco) which was a Black Economic Empowerment company that represented the communities that supported the mining project and was to receive 26 percent of the proceeds from the mining company. The purpose of the Amadiba Crisis Committee was to channel complaints and grievances of local residents emanating from the mining development project and other development to all relevant authorities so that the Constitutional rights of residents can be respected. The research also investigated the role of each stakeholder in the proposed mining project, namely, local communities in the area, environmentalists, councillors, the National Department of Minerals and Energy, the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA), the traditional authority and the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Economic Development and Environmental Affairs. Central to this research was the level of consultation during the proposed mining project. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to collect data in Xolobeni. Interviews were conducted with the two opposing groups and other various stakeholders including the chieftaincy, environmentalists, councillors and officials in the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA). The researcher used questionnaires in order to get the views of the targeted participants. Eighty questionnaires were distributed among the targeted participants but only forty five were returned. Some of the participants were reluctant to participate in this study because the mining project had not taken place. Secondary data from the Departments of Environment of Affairs nationally and provincially revealed that the Department of Minerals and Energy through its Minister, Bulelwa Sonjica, awarded the mining licence despite recommendations of both Departments not to do so. The Minister of the new Department of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu, withdrew the licence and gave three months to Transworld Energy and Minerals to address the outstanding issues raised in the environmental impact assessment (EIA). The data collected revealed that the proposed mining project affected all communities in the Amadiba Tribal Administrative area. The research also illustrated how the Xolobeni community organised themselves and protested against development that intended to force them to relocate from their ancestral land without proper consultation. Issues of sustainable development and environmental protection also formed part of the discussions in this research. While the mining project had stalled, it emerged that the majority of respondents in the area did not want the mining project to proceed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Sibane, Nomsa Virginia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Environmental protection -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mining law -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minerals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil (Environmental Studies)
- Identifier: vital:11880 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007574 , Environmental protection -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mining law -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minerals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This research explored the nature of conflict that arose in Xolobeni, a small area in the Mbizana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and the environmental politics emanating from the arguments that supported development rather than environmental protection. The proposed mining project was known as the Xolobeni mining development project within the Amadiba Tribal Authority, an area dominated by Pondos or (Mpondos). The Xolobeni area is located between the Mzamba and Mtentu Rivers, covering some 2 867 hectares, and extends for 20km along the coast of the Mbizana Local Municipality, in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality. In 2005, the Minister of the National Department of Minerals and Energy (DME), now known as the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, announced that an Australian company, Transworld Energy and Minerals (TEM) will establish a mining development project in Xolobeni to mine red sand dunes which are contained within five blocks, each named after the river at its southern boundary. These blocks were Mtentu, Sikombe, Kwanyana, Mnyameni and Mphalane. According to the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002), the Department of Minerals and Energy is the sole custodian of the mining licence and therefore the only Department that issues mining licences. The research investigated the nature of conflict that erupted in Xolobeni after this announcement, resulting in the formation of two groups namely, the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) which represented the communities who were against the mining project in the area and the Xolobeni Local Community (Xolco) which was a Black Economic Empowerment company that represented the communities that supported the mining project and was to receive 26 percent of the proceeds from the mining company. The purpose of the Amadiba Crisis Committee was to channel complaints and grievances of local residents emanating from the mining development project and other development to all relevant authorities so that the Constitutional rights of residents can be respected. The research also investigated the role of each stakeholder in the proposed mining project, namely, local communities in the area, environmentalists, councillors, the National Department of Minerals and Energy, the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA), the traditional authority and the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Economic Development and Environmental Affairs. Central to this research was the level of consultation during the proposed mining project. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to collect data in Xolobeni. Interviews were conducted with the two opposing groups and other various stakeholders including the chieftaincy, environmentalists, councillors and officials in the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA). The researcher used questionnaires in order to get the views of the targeted participants. Eighty questionnaires were distributed among the targeted participants but only forty five were returned. Some of the participants were reluctant to participate in this study because the mining project had not taken place. Secondary data from the Departments of Environment of Affairs nationally and provincially revealed that the Department of Minerals and Energy through its Minister, Bulelwa Sonjica, awarded the mining licence despite recommendations of both Departments not to do so. The Minister of the new Department of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu, withdrew the licence and gave three months to Transworld Energy and Minerals to address the outstanding issues raised in the environmental impact assessment (EIA). The data collected revealed that the proposed mining project affected all communities in the Amadiba Tribal Administrative area. The research also illustrated how the Xolobeni community organised themselves and protested against development that intended to force them to relocate from their ancestral land without proper consultation. Issues of sustainable development and environmental protection also formed part of the discussions in this research. While the mining project had stalled, it emerged that the majority of respondents in the area did not want the mining project to proceed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Environmental perceptions and knowledge among political leaders in the Eastern Cape Province and some implications for environmental policy
- Authors: Mbengashe, Pauline Maria
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003399
- Description: The environmental and development challenges facing South Africa are closely linked with the political and economic inequalities of the past. The achievement of sustainable. development will require social and political change. Protection and conservation of the environment, improving environmental knowledge and understanding, the participation of all citizens, effective environmental management, inclusive and implementable policies and legislation, are all necessary components of sustainable development. These requirements are in line with the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21, a programme of action coming out of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED 1992) This study explores the environmental perceptions and knowledge of some representative Eastern Cape political leaders. The aim of the study was to share views on environmental issues, concerns and strategies that might lead to improved environmental understanding, informed policy change and effective environmental management. Different environmental ideologies were also explored because of the political and ideological nature of the concepts 'environment' and 'education'. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews undertaken with ten political leaders in the Eastern Cape Province Legislature. The study revealed a general awareness and understanding of environmental issues with unsupported indepth knowledge and detailed information. The political, development, social and economic dimensions of the environment were emphasised more than the ecological and physical aspects. The need for environmental information, policies and legislation was recognised. Both formal and non-formal environmental education were emphasised. The need to redefine environmental education and make it more relevant, problem solving and action oriented was also emphasised. The challenge is to improve environmental understanding and making environmental information available to political leaders, government officials and citizens in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
- Authors: Mbengashe, Pauline Maria
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003399
- Description: The environmental and development challenges facing South Africa are closely linked with the political and economic inequalities of the past. The achievement of sustainable. development will require social and political change. Protection and conservation of the environment, improving environmental knowledge and understanding, the participation of all citizens, effective environmental management, inclusive and implementable policies and legislation, are all necessary components of sustainable development. These requirements are in line with the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21, a programme of action coming out of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED 1992) This study explores the environmental perceptions and knowledge of some representative Eastern Cape political leaders. The aim of the study was to share views on environmental issues, concerns and strategies that might lead to improved environmental understanding, informed policy change and effective environmental management. Different environmental ideologies were also explored because of the political and ideological nature of the concepts 'environment' and 'education'. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews undertaken with ten political leaders in the Eastern Cape Province Legislature. The study revealed a general awareness and understanding of environmental issues with unsupported indepth knowledge and detailed information. The political, development, social and economic dimensions of the environment were emphasised more than the ecological and physical aspects. The need for environmental information, policies and legislation was recognised. Both formal and non-formal environmental education were emphasised. The need to redefine environmental education and make it more relevant, problem solving and action oriented was also emphasised. The challenge is to improve environmental understanding and making environmental information available to political leaders, government officials and citizens in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
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