I am willing to stand and fight for my village
Letlhogonolo Othelia Sello
by Letlhogonolo Othelia Sello
My name is Letlhogonolo Othelia Sello, and I come from a place called Wonderkop. It is a place surrounded by mines and also rich in platinum, which is sad because, throughout my life as a member of this community, I have witnessed things deteriorating from better to worse. As a young woman with a vision for this community, I am willing to stand and fight for the betterment of this village and claim what is due to us.
I started to notice injustice in my community after my matric year, when I started my activism in community/youth organizations. Being part of these organizations showed me how poor our village is in terms of its educational system and even having the right resources to build a community. I have noticed how our kids struggle with maintaining grades because there is a lot of pressure and comparison coming from educators or their parents. It leads them to being dropouts and end up on drugs, which leads them to crime and murder.
As a resident of this mining community, I have witnessed the devastating impact of our air and water, the destruction of local ecosystems, and the health risks associated with mining activities have become a constant concern for our community. I am an activist because I believe that our community has the right to a clean and healthy environment, and it is our responsibility to hold mining companies and government authorities accountable for their actions. Through my activism, I aim to raise awareness about these issues, advocate for policy changes, and work towards a more sustainable future for our community.
My envisioned changes are:
- Mining
- Community-Based Mining Models
- Environmental Stewardship
- Community Engagement
For my community
- Improved infrastructure
- Better roads
- Access to clean water and sanitation
For Community Empowerment
- Increased community involvement
- Capacity building
- Enhanced community services
- Quality Education and health care
- Community Facilities and Programs
To bring change into this community, we have created a youth development organization that stands with the youth of our community in finding opportunities for them and making their lives better. We have also opened an NPC, which is helping people be aware of their environmental needs, health issues, and how the mines are affecting them.
As an activist, I draw strength from my community’s resilience and determination. Through ongoing education and training, I stay equipped to address the challenges we face. By building alliances with other organizations and celebrating our success. I remain motivated to continue fighting for a better future for our community.
