From Sand Guards to Desert Justice: Reclaiming Environmental Care
Tumelo Mashiloane
By: Tumelo Mashiloane
From Sand Guards to Desert Justice: Reclaiming Environmental Care
Setting alight to deserts by municipalities and people is affecting our environment and us. The
outcomes of this conduct can cause more diseases, like cancer and breathing problems. Our yards
are getting dirty because of burnt plant fragments. I once asked myself if our Municipality must
burn our desert especially when we are approaching the winter season, and in winter? What I know
is that nature can resolve itself in all seasons. Environmental justice is to allow nature to resolve
itself. We need desert guards who are going to make sure that our deserts are protected from
people who like to set them alight for their reasons. I grew up seeing sand guards from our
municipality who did not want any residents to digThen why do we have desert guards who will
make sure that our deserts do not get burnt?
In 2023, there was an accident that took place due to smoke that was obscuring the visibility of
motorists on the PAS TOWN ROAD, which is very close to a desert. That incident was not that
critical, but I learnt that if we ignore the dangers that can come from setting alight our deserts, it will
lead many to tragedy. In South Africa, we witnessed many unspeakable events caused by the setting
alight of deserts. Many lost their lives, and many lost their prominent assets. Many were left
without places to dwell.
We must bear in mind that 1 stick of matches can kill thousands of people, and it can leave many
residents homeless. There was a scenario again where some of the farmers who have farms not
aloof from my area were complaining regarding this issue of these environmental delinquents who
are burning deserts that are also approximated to farms. Farming is life; without farming, we can’t
eat, and if farmers are facing these calamities, it will affect and delay their progress and food
production. Let’s protect our desserts. By doing so, we are also protecting ourselves from death,
diseases, and farming development of grandmothers; even young people who enter that space will
surge in prosperity.
