Life and death in the shadow of Mpumalanga’s toxic coal mines

 

When I first heard that South Africa is heavily dependent on coal to produce energy I became curious. I found a report from Greenpeace Africa that confirmed my suspicion: “In autumn 2018, an evaluation of comparative satellite data showed that no other region in the world was more heavily contaminated by nitrogen dioxide.”

Mr Mabuza (61) sits on a wheelbarrow at the entrance of the Ting Dong coal mine shaft, the largest artisanal coal mine in Ermelo. Mr Mabuza and his business partner — the owner of the mine — were the first to start artisanal mining in Ermelo in 2008. A knowledgeable and experienced miner, he is the security manager in the Ting Dong mine and plans the day and night shifts of nearly 1,000 Zamazamas. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Community activists and members of the Khuthala Environmental Care Group meet at a friend's house. They argue that the government has only given them empty promises and that they do not receive any support in their fight for a safer and cleaner environment. The group rehabilitates and cleans abandoned mines and waste-dumps, plans workshops for informal miners to educate them about the importance of climate change, creates vegetable gardening projects and supports unemployed people with food parcels and the creation of sustainable jobs outside the coal mining industry. Instead of waiting for government support, the township community is taking matters into their own hands. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Philan Mngomezulu (45), a co-founder of the Khuthala Environmental Care Group, stands in front of his squatter house. His home doesn't have running water or sanitation. Like millions of township residents, Mngomezulu cooks and heats his home with coal and firewood. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Mpela Mabizela (70) stands on one of his vegetable gardens, which used to be a coal mine dump. Mr Mpela is the leader of local farmers and a chairperson of the ADC (Agricultural Development Committee). The land behind him is scattered with abandoned coal mines and one poisoned stream. Mr Mpela’s role in the community is to give land to locals who want to start farming. All of these activities are neglected and unsupported by the SA government. There is no water supply, electricity or other tools to rehabilitate the land and farm successfully. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Community activists and members of the Khuthala Environmental Care Group collect fresh vegetables and water their gardens. They argue that the SA government has so far not delivered on its promises and that they do not receive any kind of support. The group rehabilitates abandoned coal mines and waste-dumps, delivers workshops to informal miners to educate them about the importance of air pollution and climate change, creates vegetable gardening projects and supports local unemployed people with the creation of sustainable farming jobs outside the coal mining industry. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Given Zuli (35), a member and spokesperson of the Khuthala Environmental Care Group, waters the self-cultivated spinach. The Khuthala activists have created a gardening project that supports the wider community. They clean and rehabilitate abandoned coal mines and waste dumps to transform them into vegetable gardens, children’s playgrounds and leisure parks. All their work is self-motivated and unpaid. The South African government has so far not supported activities for a cleaner and healthier environment. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Zethu Hlatshwayo (37) and Philan Mngomezulu (45), the founders of the Khuthala Environmental Care Group, water self-cultivated vegetables. The Khuthala activists have created a gardening project that supports the wider community.  (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Mr Madonsela (50) inspects the plot on which he farms maize. Where vegetables grow today there used to be a dumping site. He cleaned the land with the help of the Khuthala Environmental Care Group. Instead of waiting for government support, township communities are taking matters in their own hands. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Mncedisi Shaka (45) stands in his vegetable garden where he grows spinach, potatoes, butternut and cabbages. The land was once a waste and dumping site. He cleaned the land with the help of the Khuthala Environmental Care Group. The only water source to water the farm is a poisoned stream. Mncedisi is a member of the Agricultural Development Committee and regularly donates fresh veggies to poor residents. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

David Mngomezulu (48) stands with his daughter on a small garden plot behind his corrugated iron house. Since the previous coal mine degraded the land and left it unrehabilitated, the community decided to resolve the problem. They stopped the creation of new coal mines in the area and with the support of the Khuthala Environmental Care Group, and started Agri village — a farming community. Instead of coal mines, the community creates vegetable gardens. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Nobomi (38) drinks Black Label with one of her regular customers. She sells firewood and runs a small tavern selling beer. Poverty, alcohol consumption and unemployment are rife in the townships of Witbank. Government promises such as better housing, jobs, higher minimum wages and rehabilitation of the land have all been unfulfilled. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)

Girls who work as waste pickers embrace after a long day of work. Township communities have not received government support to clean the land. There is no running water, sanitation, or electricity on the dumping site. Also, professional tools to weigh and resell plastic and to separate the waste have not been made available. The average income is as low as R15 an hour. (Photo: Stefan Kleinowitz)