Greenpeace Africa/Lerato Tsotetsi: CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Dear Reader,

Here’s an update on what we got up to in March and what’s coming up this April.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE
A big win for the Congo Basin Rainforest

We celebrated a big win in our forest campaign in March when the Norway Government Pension Fund cut ties with Singapore-based rubber giant Halcyon Agri Corporation Limited (Halcyon Agri). This meant it will be more difficult for the company to continue their activities of: land grabbing, abusing the human rights of local people and destroying forests in Cameroon. Read more here.
 
We also joined the Baka Festival where big crowds came from all corners of Cameroon. We shared our work in the Congo Basin rainforest, how people can take action against deforestation, and help protect endangered animals like the beautiful bonobo.

A right to clean air

Last week, 29 March 2019, we met with South Africa’s National Air Quality Officer (NAQO), Dr Thuli Khumalo, and officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs. We shared our findings about Eskom's pollution with her and, we were able to deliver the petition with 2109 signatures calling on her to reject Eskom’s application to postpone complying with air quality legislation. We had a robust discussion, and the Department is willing to engage with us further.

However, the Department doesn’t fully agree with our findings, and even felt that we might be exaggerating the scale of the problem in the Global Air Pollution Map report. The evidence is clear - we are in the middle of an air pollution crisis!

The National Air Quality Officer now has the power to decide whether Eskom’s application will be accepted or rejected. This journey to end coal will continue to be tough but we will move ahead. We will not stop speaking up for people like Rejoy Montshiwa from Lephalale in Limpopo, a coal impacted community. We will continue to seek justice for South Africans’ constitutional right to clean air. We will be relentless in our pursuit to see Eskom comply to South Africa’s air quality legislation. And, we will stand united to see an end to the age of coal in South Africa! There is no immediate date for the NAQO’s decision, but we will keep you posted. Stay tuned for future updates on our work against pollution.

COMING UP...
April: Sending back the Plastic Monster

This month, we’re shipping plastic waste back to polluters! As part of this global movement, we’re exploring the world’s most pristine marine environments aboard the Greenpeace ship, the Rainbow Warrior. Many countries around the world are suffering from the devastating impact of big companies creating single-use plastic — using them as a dumping ground
through the global waste trade. Simply put, these companies created a Plastic Monster. We’re now sending this Plastic Monster back to where it was created! Follow us this April as we continue to highlight plastic pollution in Africa and around the world - but first, add your name to our volunteer petition here for a plastic ban in South Africa!

WHAT'S NEW?
We’re on WhatsApp!

I get it, sometimes I miss important and timely updates via email too. This is why Greenpeace Africa continues to look out for platforms that make it easy for you to take action with us. In came WhatsApp! If you’d like to join our WhatsApp community for short and quick updates, save Greenpeace Africa’s number, +27 82 214 1636. Type HELLO and send us a Whatsapp text! Let’s get chatting!
FOLLOWING CLOSELY
​BLOG: Tropical Cyclone Idai and the African Spirit

I phone my sister in Beira. Each time I call, the ringing seems to continue for longer and longer. Each time she picks up, the relief is the same. I tell her how my son is doing, how tired I am. She tells me about the updated death toll, the lack of electricity, how people are standing in lines for food and water for hours. “People are still being found on the shore.” Continue reading here.

A wrong turn for farming

A new bill could come into law in Kenya, making it illegal to plant crops using animal manure. If implemented this bill will not only deny Kenyans the right to chemically free food - even worse is how farmers will be in debt to industrial corporations that provide agro chemical fertilizers. At a time where climate change is already making farming difficult, this will be a big setback for farmers using resilient and sustainable farming methods. Read more here.

Spying?

The Sunday Times reported that during Jacob Zuma’s presidency, state funds were used by Special Operations to monitor the activities of NGOs such as Right to Know and Greenpeace Africa. This is a gross abuse of power and state resources that are needed for healthcare, education and environmental justice issues. Continue reading here. Greenpeace Africa will be considering legal options in light of these allegations.

Thanks,

Lerato Tsotetsi
Supporter Engagement Manager at Greenpeace Africa

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