Madiba worked to bridge divide in South Durban
IT was Nelson Mandela who bridged the gap between the South Durban Basin (SDB) communities and large industries, allowing for the open communication.
In March 1995, the then-president, Nelson Mandela visited the South Durban area to speak at the launch of phase II of Engen’s refinery expansion. While addressing the employees, he noted a small group of protestors outside the refinery. These protestors had gathered because of a series of explosions at the site on Friday, 17 March and other health impacts from large chemical industries in the area.
Mandela immediately called for his security team to step aside, so he could speak to the group of protestors. “These are my people, please stand aside, I want to listen to my people.” This impromptu meeting led to a meeting between community members, led by the South Durban Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and the president that same night. He listened to their concerns and called for a follow-up meeting with the necessary government ministers.
On Tuesday, 28 March Mandela met with residents from Wentworth, Merebank and the Bluff and Engen management to discuss the problem of industrial pollution and health-related problems in South Durban. Also present were Nkosozana Zuma (Minister of Health), Dawie de Villiers (Minister of Environmental Affairs), Bantu Holomisa (Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs) and Pik Botha (Minister of Foreign Affairs).
The community suggested there be a strengthening of relations between them and Engen and the ministers agreed to thorough environmental assessment of the SDB. Holomisa then put together a meeting between representatives from the local communities and more than 600 members of industry, which led to the ‘good neighbour’ agreement.
-erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
