Culture in Crisis: Imbawula and the Struggle for Clean Heat

Vuyisani Gwebani 

By: Vuyisani Gwebani

Culture in Crisis: Imbawula and the Struggle for Clean Heat

In Bosworth Farm, a village in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, near the mining town of Newcastle, a silent crisis is unfolding. Each afternoon and early morning, a thick fog of smoke envelops the area, filling the air with the acrid smell of burnt coal. The residents of Bosworth Farm breathe this air daily. The use of a brazier, known locally as “Imbawula,” is a cultural custom in this area. Many wonder how one can cook, heat, or warm a house without an Imbawula. Although the area is electrified, the high cost of electricity forces families to rely on this hazardous but affordable heating source.

People often say that electricity is only meant for lighting; if they try to cook with it, they would have to spend about R200 for around 80 kWh, which would not last a month. Consequently, the brazier remains the primary solution for cooking and warmth in this community.

Bosworth Farm is located near the Southern Coal Colliery and an unrehabilitated mine dumping site. Around 3 or 4 PM each afternoon, you can often see mothers and young girls carrying buckets as they cross the railway and the Ingagane River. They are not going to draw water; instead, they are heading to collect coal discard, known locally as Umpusheni. Some even venture into the Southern Coal Colliery to steal coal so they can cook for their families.

Despite the significant health risks posed by using Braziers or Imbawula, the community remains resilient. Most residents suffer from persistent headaches, respiratory issues, and other health problems, particularly affecting the elderly and children. Despite these dangers, the community is reluctant to abandon its traditional methods, which are deeply rooted in its identity and resilience.

Xolo, a young mother depicted in the picture, showcases the human cost of this crisis. She tends to her Imbawula with care, fully aware of the risks involved but feeling deeply connected to this tradition that has been passed down from her mother and grandmother. “I know the smoke is not good for us, but it’s hard to let go of something that’s been a part of our lives for so long,” Xolo explained.

She also described the methods she uses to prevent illness: “It’s not like you get sick overnight. You just need to sit down or lie low to avoid the smoke so that it doesn’t make you dizzy. Don’t sleep with it in the house, and from time to time, you should vomit or drink milk to clear the dust from your chest.”

These Braziers-Imbawula are not only a health hazard, but they also threaten homes. Just on July 6th, we woke up to devastating news about the Xulu family losing their only two-room house and everything inside it to a brazier-Imbawula fire. The Xulu, following their usual tradition, were sitting around the Brazier-Imbawula, and since it was during social grant days, the weekend was quite busy and good. In my interview with them to understand what happened, Sisi Lindawe (28), a mother of two, said: “It was just a normal night, after dinner the children prepared their places to sleep, down on the floor, but they forgot to take out the Braziers-Imbawula, then one of them seemed like he kicked it, while he slept, then the fire caught the curtain, then the rest is history”.

So, I asked her: Will you use a braizer-Imbawula again?

“Yes, I don’t have a choice, electricity is very expensive, so if I don’t use Braziers-Imbawula, then I would be able to cook for my children, these children just need to be more careful. Sis Landiwe answered.

The story Xulu family’s painful consequence of the brazed serves as a wake-up call for the community. It will always be a reminder that even the most traditional practices can be deadly. It is my vision to see change, to inhale clean air every afternoon. My strength is drawing on a vision of our village to be a place where children could play without coughing, where families could cook without suffocating. I dream of a community where they don’t have to choose between worth and health.

To bring about change, I plan to talk to my community, share information about cleaner energy sources, and better ventilation. I plan to organize community meetings, and together, we began exploring alternatives like solar-powered heaters and improved braziers.

Through collective action, I believe we can create a healthier, warmer Bosworth Farm – where health and warmth aren’t mutually exclusive, but a fundamental right for all. As an activist I committed myself to explore ways of improving the “Imbawula,” to make it safer, and to reduce the harmful effects of the smoke.

This journey will not be easy, but it is a crucial step towards preserving their traditional way of warmth while protecting their well-being. It will take time, but the community needs to be educated, about the health hazards caused by the inhaling of this smoke, they need to be educated of the air pollution caused by the smoke from “Imbawula”.

Thank you.

*The lady in the picture granted permission to use the picture.