ON SEPTEMBER 12, small-scale fisherfolk and coastal communities gathered in protest at Isipingo Beach and other beaches around eThekwini Municipality, standing with the eXolobeni, Eastern Cape community in the fight against Shell’s destructive seismic blasting on the Wild Coast.

Also read: Shell raises safety concerns at Umgababa

The other pickets were held at Umhlanga, Blue Lagoon, Snake Park, and Cuttings beaches. The peaceful demonstrations rang with chants of unity and resistance. Their message to Shell was for the company to stop offshore oil and gas exploration, protect the oceans, marine life, and fisherfolk’s livelihoods. The pickets came just days before the Constitutional Court hearing on September 16 and 17, a landmark case challenging Shell’s operations and highlighting the failure to uphold free, prior and informed consent for affected communities.

In a statement, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, which organised the pickets and is following the court case closely, said these beach pickets are a reminder that the fight against Shell is not just about the ocean, but about environmental, social, and economic justice.

“If we allow one company to dig in our oceans, 10 more will follow. Our children won’t know what a fish or dolphin is,” it said.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.