On the morning of 22 March 2004, The delegation of US environmental justice activists landed in Johannesburg. They were greeted by Ardiel Soeker of groundWork, Caroline Seipati Ntaopane from the Sasolburg Air Quality Monitoring Committee (SAQMC), and Maletsatsi Mokoena of Biopatong. The South Africans briefed the US delegation on the history of South Africa, and their personal experiences during apartheid. The delegation spent the rest of the day resting after their long journey from the US.
23 March 2004
The delegation visited the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg to learn more about South African history and the context of environmental justice in South Africa today. The museum was full of images, video, voices, music, and artifacts from the apartheid era, telling the story of oppression and resistance. It was a powerful and informative experience.
That evening members of the SAQMC welcomed the delgation to Zamdela township, situated right next to a complex of chemical industries including Sasol, Dow, Karbochem, and Natref. Part of this warm welcome was typical Zamdela dinner of grilled meat, pap and bread at the Makumes Butchery in Zamdela.
24 March 2004
We began the day with a toxic tour of Zamdela. SAQMC organized a day of meetings, tours and discussions between different sectors of the Zamdela community and the US delegation.
The US delegation and members of SAQMC visited the Cedar school in Zamdela, where they were informed of the environmental awareness programmes at the school. The principal at the school, Mr. Kompi, mentioned that many of the learners suffer from asthma, respiratory infections, eye infections, skin irritations, and as a result miss school days.
Zamdela residents live next to this mountain of coal, which blows into the community frequently, covering people's homes with black soot. The US delegation was shocked to see how close these piles of coal were to the community and also livestock.
We visited the Concerned HIV Aids Youth Group in the Metsimaholo neighborhood of Zamdela. The high incidence of HIV/AIDS was discussed as well as how the heavy pollution worsens respiratory illnesses linked to HIV/AIDS, such as TB. The first picture is the staff, Nolwaandle Radebe and Avena Abdulla, at a mural outside their office. The next picture is Khalida Smalls (right) of ACE in Boston and Maletsatsi Mokoena (left) of Biopatong listening to the staff.
Caroline Ntaopane of SAQMC explaining the impact of Sasol on her community of Zamdela.
In the evening of 24 March 2004, SAQMC hosted a community event for the US delegation which included a welcome by the Mayor Ndaba of Sasolburg (top), artistic and cultural performances by Zamdela youth from the Cedar school, and presentations from the US delegation on their communities and the struggles they face.
25 March 2004
The next day, the US delegation visited the communties of Boipatong and Sharpville. Above is a mural outside the memorial to the Sharpville massacre, where on 21 March 1960 the apartheid police forces killed 69 people and injured 180. Sharpville residents were protesting the racist pass laws when they were attacked by the police forces.
Iscor is the major polluting industry in the Boipatong area. Iscor's mining and processing of steel produces water and air pollution. Much of the area around Iscor used to be farm area, but now the land and water is so polluted most farmers have been forced to leave.
One farmer who has stood his ground is Mr. Strike. He explained his story of seeing his land and water polluted to the US delegation. Mr Strike can no longer use his own water well, but has to have water brought in. Mr Strike continues to fight for his land and livelihood.