Comments on the Wild Coast N2 Toll Road EIR
Whilst there are obvious flaws and contradictions throughout the EIR the comments herein will be directed towards the Public Participation Process as that is where my expertise lies and having worked directly with some of the communities along the longer Greenfields section who have a desire to participate. These comments are also in regard only to the proposed Greenfields section between Port Edward and Lusikisiki and do not apply to any other part of the proposed road.
Two flaws within the FSR creating two fatal flaws in the EIR
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Sandy Heather
Grass Roots Education
P O Box 931
Magaliessig
2067
Tel: 011 4623176; brash@netactive.co.za
Posted on January 26th, 2009
Filed under: SWC Comments
First of all let me try to reply to some of the comments’ don’t agree with all these people who continues to say they don’t want the proposed N2 along the coast.
The fact of the matter is that we as people who are residing along the coast we want this road because we continue to be stranded and suffering in terms of paying Huge amount when we are travelling because of Huge Displacement.
e.g. from Lusikisiki to Port Edward you need to go via Bizana, of which this is unnecessary, because if you got N2 along the coast you will just go strait.
The online comments are not going to assist us since the majority of the affected areas are Rural areas, and they don’t have internet access.e.g Baleni,Xholobeni,Mgwede,gumzana,Mkhambati,flagstaff, to post st jons
Therefore another device to test either people want N2 or not is seriously needed especial in Rural areas, I am saying this because I from one of those rural areas to be specific Baleni Location/Amadiba at Bizana next Xholobeni.
We as people from Baleni we are wearied about the continuous sabot arch in our in terms Road, Mining and other things in terms of Development of Baleni and Xhlobeni.
Some of them they continued to be stooges of other people to say they don’t want road or mining while they don’t have even a Cent to sustain their family.
We know that they want this N2+ mining but they are told to say they don’t want it.
I love my place
Regards
Monwabisi Ncayiyana
Amadiba/Baleni
Bizana
Dear Monwabisi
It is a great pleasure to hear from someone from my village, Baleni. The
online comments are for people who have access to the internet like you.
It is definitely not for the people in the community. There are
alternative platforms for people in the community to make comments. Our
current law and policy in South Africa caters for both interested and
affected parties. Interested parties are mainly those people who reside
far from the area under question. The law of this country therefore makes
provisions for such people. This emanates from our constitutional law. The
internet therefore becomes a very important tool in this regard.
Coming to participation by the local people, we, as SWC have made many
strides to assist people in ensuring their voice is heard. This is very
crucial again as South African laws and policies promote genuine public
participation by the ordinary people. For an example on issue of N2 Toll
Road, we organized a lawyer who visited Sigidi, Mdatya, Mtentu and
Gobodweni in order to assist people in filing their comments on the draft
EIA. The toll Road is not being opposed, but the debate is about which
route is the best to be followed. In your comment you mention that the
coastal route would be advantageous to us in the coast as we will travel
in a short straight line distance, what about those inland? A coastal
route will be following a less populated area, while inland route will
support majority of people. Also with the coastal route the inland towns
such as Bizana and Flagstaff will be bypassed.
Coming back to public participation; consultation needs to be done
efficiently as to accommodate the people who will be directly affected by
the proposed project. So far consultations in our villages are done in
such a manner that they benefit educated people like me and you, which is
not fair to our illiterate parents. When a project is being proposed
people must be given both sides of the coin (positive and negative) so
that people are in a position to make informed decision about what affects
them.
I therefore think educated people like you, coming from marginalized communities such ours need to play their role in ensuring that elderly people are able to participate meaningfully in projects that affect them. In the end people, not individuals, must make final decisions. If we were to make decisions based on our views as ‘educated’ people, that would lead to chaos and conflicts in the community. If we (educated elite) think certain projects
are good for the community, we need to be bold enough to share our views
with the rest of the community honestly, so that fair decisions may be
taken. Education should strengthen our cooperation with the community
instead of divorcing us from the community.
Coming to the mining project at Xolobeni, I have listened to the community
of Xolobeni who oppose the mining project and found sense in their views.
I shared my views with them and when they decided to opposed it I
supported them because they had very good reasons compared to those who
supported it. If you are interested to hear more on this I will I’m happy
to engage you further.
Regards
Sinegugu
I am really glad to see that there are people who are concerned and have a visible vision about our undeveloped villages.As a young person from Baleni (Bizana) I have dreams about that place.
WITH PLEASSURE
PINKY P MBUTHUMA
Dear Pinky,
Thanks a lot for your comment. It is very encouraging to us more when we
find other people who are willing to think about these vilages as we
strongly believe that local development should be decided localy. Who ever
who has an idea for development must share with the rest of the community
so that decisions may be taken localy. Ungowakulo bani wena? Ungaphi kula
Mabuthuma akulo Mlungu or Kwa Kwayi?
Regards
Sinegugu
I stay in Gauteng and my question is, if there will be a toll road that pass through the villages/farms in the Eastern Cape, will there be an alternative route for those existing poor/farming communities? As far as I am aware (being a Transport Economist), it is not a must for an alternative route to be available.
No to Toll road
UMonwabisi udayisa ngomhlaba wethu kongxiwa nkulu. We need to strenghten the nature of community participation before any decision. if you love your land you cannot allow a situation like this to take place in your land. you need to defend hereitage of your land. These mega projects in this area will not help the poor but will move the poor from decent poverty to extreme poverty. we want full participation of the poor in the area.