Identity’
mining must be respected.
“It seems he (Mantashe) really does not understand the unique nature of the Xolobeni area as a place where cultural heritage, agricultural endeavour, archaeological significance, botanic diversity and remarkable beauty combine to make the Northern Pondoland coastal area a very special place in South Africa.
“For Mantashe to suggest that coastal dune mining can coexist with the kind of tourism that makes the area attractive to tourists is absurd, and his comparing of Xolobeni to Richards Bay as a place where this has happened is not helpful.
“Xolobeni is not Richard’s Bay and the people who live there do not want it to be industrialised in the way that Richards Bay has been.
“Xolobeni, home to areas of critical biodiversity, particular beauty and tourism potential should be declared a no go area for mining.
“It will be more valuable to South Africa for longer, if protected from mining. Why should the Amadiba, as custodians of the mining threatened coastline, surrender it as a sacrifice zone on the altar of GDP, and in so doing destroy their own lives?”
John Clarke, a social worker, sees the “irrationality” of mining over tourism and agriculture.
“Based on my intimate knowledge of nearly two decades of involvement with the community, it makes neither legal, political, social nor environmental sense for Minister Mantashe to award mining rights.”
For the past five years, Clarke has sought a case study from anywhere in the world that shows an equivalent rural community like the Amadiba ending up “being better off collectively” in terms of overall quality of life after they have been resettled to make way for an open cast mining operation, such as is envisaged on the Pondoland Wild Coast.
“So far I have not found a single instance anywhere in the world. By contrast I have found countless examples of the opposite. Are the Amadiba going to be the first ...
“The question is what will happen after the dunes are mined out. Can eco-tourism fill the economic void? Will agricultural productivity be restored? There are very high biodiversity values and substantial ecological capital on the Wild Coast, so it is a no brainer that eco-tourism would be a much more ‘justifiable’ and lucrative money spinner for an indefinite term far into the future.
“So why is Minister Mantashe all over the Xolobeni headlines rather than Minister Derek Hanekom for Tourism and Minister Zokwana for Agriculture?”