FRACKING RAISING ITS UGLY HEAD
EARLIER this month, Agrisa launched proceedings in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria against the ministers of environmental affairs and mineral resources, the Petroleum Agency of South Africa and Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration SA over the granting of environmental authorisations and exploration rights to Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration SA.
The rights cover an area of around
2.4 million hectares ranging from North West, Free State, Kwazulu-natal and Eastern Cape.
“It is feared the applications may lead to large-scale shalegas developments in South Africa (including by means of hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’),” it says.
The Kwazulu-natal application is the subject of the Supreme Court of Appeal proceedings brought by Agri SA’S affiliate organisation, Kwanalu. On May
10, the Normandien Farm case was heard before the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein and is awaiting judgment.
“We remain optimistic that the courts will rule in our favour as it is critically important for our sector. Fracking would severely affect our natural resources, for example, our already scare water supplies,” says Kwanalu chief executive Sandy La Marque.
In May 2017, Kwanalu secured an interim court order interdicting the minister of mineral resources from issuing mining exploration rights to Rhino in the Kwazulu-natal Midlands.
Saliem Fakir, of World Wide Fund for Nature-sa, believes further legal battles are on the cards. “A lot of private land is affected so the opposition is going to be enormous. The company will have to fight endless court battles against Agrisa and other litigants that could come on board,” Fakir said. | Sheree Bega REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE YOU can now play hostess and dress up in your finest red attire this month while also promoting good menstrual hygiene management as well as help reduce environmental damage.
Local non-profit organisation Dignity Dreams is urging women from all walks of life to host a “Red Dress Charitea” in a bid to raise funds for disposable sanitary pads which are also better for the environment.
The organisation explained that this personalised tea party should be held during May to coincide with Menstrual Hygiene Day which is commemorated on May 28.
Dignity Dreams chief executive,
Sharon Gordon, said that those who would like to host this tea party would be required to pay a R1 000 registration fee.
These funds would go towards manufacturing 500 Dignity Dreams sanitary packs which is equivalent to about 400 000 disposable pads.
“The purpose of hosting is to raise awareness about menstrual health and to raise funds for Dignity Dreams, we just need 100 sponsors and we can raise at least R100 000,” said Gordon.
Those who would be interested in hosting could do so at a location of their choice and invite women of any age who would be required to wear a red dress.
Although the host would have to plan their individual Charitea, their registration fee would include hosting tips, party games, recipes, printable and digital media invitations as well as promotional material.
Gordon added that the fee also pays for five Dignity Dreams packs which each contain six washable, eco friendly sanitary pads and are equivalent to 4 320 disposable pads.
She explained the importance of a Charitea is to aid Dignity Dreams in their plight to encourage the use of a more sustainable product for women to manage their periods.
“One washable pad is equivalent to approximately 144 disposable pads.”
| Staff Reporter