Am I an activist?
Thobeka Nkabinde
by Thobeka Nkabinde
I’m Thobeka Nkabinde from KwaZulu Natal at Newcastle, Normandien. Around 2019 It’s where I became an activist when the Chelmsford Coal mine known as Future Coal mine embarked in Agricultural land where a rural farmer produced meals and Soya. And also, livestock. This Mine was getting a Mining permit to destroy everything that we depend on. Northern KZN is an economical hub because everything that went to Johannesburg and Durban they start here.
Since the mine has started to operate, many households they lost they livestock and they can’t sleep at night because of Trucks, Machines noise that came from mine. This mine operating near Exmoor village, Ekuseni youth prison, Disability school, Chelmsford Dam and two Primary School.
Our concern as young people around this area is an environmental degradation that happening and they are no Zoning sign from Municipality or District that shows us all areas where Coal companies are mined is a Mining Zone. And we don’t remember any public participation that was called by Newcastle Municipality about mines.
As a community member and Youth forum in my organization Sisonke Environmental Justice Network we had done many activities that group young people to engage about mining and Just Energy Transformation. Going forward we need to work together as Resident of Amajuba District to fight against mine because for now we have 300 applications that needed to be approved by DMRE. That means government they delaying a development in rural areas because they know they benefit will come.
Sometimes is very difficult to being an activist because I don’t get any salary on other hand it’s not easy to left a struggle because I’m the of those who bring a unite, hope and power to the community. It’s only strength that workers for me even my organization they face many community challenges but they continue working for the communities. “I understand very well that revolution is not a one-day event, I fear what I’m going through but I’m proud what I have done in my Activism journey”.
