Coastal Communities Unite to Resist Oil and Gas Exploration in South Africa
A high-stakes battle is unfolding in the Western Cape High Court, where small-scale fishers and coastal communities are joining forces with civil society organizations to challenge the government’s approval of oil and gas exploration in a critical marine region. The case has sparked widespread concern over governance failures, environmental risks, and the potential devastation of livelihoods.
At the heart of the dispute is the Environmental Authorisation (EA) granted to TotalEnergies in 2023 for offshore drilling activities in Block 5/6/7, a marine area crucial to the survival of small-scale fishers and coastal communities. The applicants, represented by environmental law firm Cullinan & Associates Inc., are seeking a judicial review of the EA, arguing that it fails to assess the climate, ecological, and socio-economic risks of offshore oil and gas activities.
"This is not just a legal battle, it’s a fight to defend our livelihoods, our culture, and the ocean that sustains us," says Walter Steenkamp, a small-scale fisher from the Northern Cape. "Fishing is in our blood, and our traditions, identity, and knowledge of the sea have been passed down through generations. If we lose our ocean, we lose our heritage."
The Green Connection’s Strategic Lead, Liziwe McDaid, emphasizes the significance of the case, particularly in the context of Africa Month. "This fight is about protecting our continent’s resources and people’s rights. The potential impacts of an oil spill or well blowout could decimate local fisheries, and yet the EA was granted without a detailed blowout contingency plan. This undermines the principle of sound, inclusive governance."
The applicants are also opposing Shell’s bid to join the proceedings, citing a lack of legal basis for their involvement. According to McDaid, "Shell was neither part of the original EA application nor has there been any lawful transfer of the authorisation to the Dutch multinational. In fact, our calculations suggest that the exploration right has already lapsed."
As the court hearings continue, dozens of small-scale fishers and coastal community members have travelled to the Cape High Court to make their voices heard, while others have held solidarity actions around the country. "They ignore our voices and call it development," says Emelin Mitchell, a small-scale fisher from the Western Cape. "But how is it development if it destroys our livelihoods? Oil spills don’t care about borders. If there’s a blowout, it could wipe out our fish stocks, our tourism, everything. That’s not development – that’s devastation."
The case has highlighted the need for decision-making processes that prioritize the rights and interests of marginalized communities, who are often most vulnerable to environmental degradation. As the applicants await the court’s judgment, they remain resolute in their determination to protect their ocean, their heritage, and their future. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for the future of South Africa’s coastal communities and the environment they depend on.
