Wild Coast communities say Shell dismissing & ignoring their cultural rights

Communities on the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape said their cultural rights have been ignored and dismissed by oil giant Shell, which is looking to do more mining activities in the area.

On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court heard arguments for leave to appeal a judgment by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in favour of Shell. In its ruling, the SCA allowed the oil and gas giant to bring an application to renew its exploration right for seismic exploration off the Wild Coast.

The surveying includes seismic blasting near the seabed, which environmental groups and communities are opposed to.

One of the issues flagged by community members on the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape is cultural rights. They believe the blasting and mining on the seabed will compromise their beliefs.

Spokesperson for the Amadiba Crisis Committee, Nonhle Mbuthuma, says that in their African beliefs, they connect with their ancestors through the sea.

READ: Wild Coast community members protest at ConCourt against Shell's seismic exploration for oil & gas

“Every time, when we want to connect, we go to the ocean. The ocean is medicinal for us, to cleanse our bodies, to connect with our ancestors. Now, when the ocean is dirty, it means there will be no ancestors. That connection between us and our ancestors will be cut off,” Mbuthuma said.

Meanwhile, inside the courtroom, arguments will continue on Wednesday, with parties including Shell and the Mineral Resources Minister expected to make more arguments.

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