INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS SOUTHERN SUBURBS TATLER est: 1979 tel 021 488 4911 fax 021 488 4615 Thursday August 12 2010

T H E D I S C O U N T S T O R E

UCTS T O R E

Senior High School Tel: 021 671 1173 Greenwood Road, Claremont www.abbotts.co.za

KAREN WATKINS

Two non-profit organisations,the Centre for EnvironmentalRights (CER) and the Envi-

ronmental Defence Fund (EDF),which will give people access toenvironmental law opened in Sus-sex Road, Observatory, last week.

The CER which was establishedin October by eight environmentalNGOs with the support of over 40smaller ones, is run by a group ofdedicated lawyers who give part oftheir time towards helping to pro-tect the environment.

Andy Gubb, Senior NationalConservationist with Wessa, saidthe opening of the CER representsa pinnacle of achievement for fun-ders, individuals and civil societygroups. “At last we have a vehiclethrough which ordinary people willhave much-needed access to envi-ronmental law,” he said.

“The need for civil societyaccess to law when dealing withenvironmental issues gainedmomentum about 10 years ago,”said Mr Gubb.

Fred Orban, vice chair of MEP(Mossel Bay Environmental Part-nership) who came to Cape Townfor the opening, said: “This (CER) islong overdue and it should havebeen established 20 years ago. TheMEP has been going strong forabout 12 years and has beenactively involved in many environ-mental issues and projects in thegreater Mossel Bay area. The onlyreason why we in South Africa

have anything left environmentallyis because we had so much to startwith,” he said.

Milnerton resident and energyexpert David Lipschitz said: “Tak-ing big business and government tothe Constitutional Court is expen-sive and it needs our collectiveinput to make it happen. The natureof this name (CER) is excellent. Itprotects the environment. It alsoprotects us as we live in the envi-ronment and are a part of the envi-ronment. We are all parts of a uni-versal energy system and the CERwill help protect us South Africans– as long as we support the CER.”

Executive director of the CERMelissa Fourie said the CER willtake part in environmental deci-sion-making processes.

“Like environmental impactassessments (EIAs) and applica-tions for mining licences, and incases of non-compliance with envi-ronmental laws (by both govern-ment and industry),” said MsFourie.

She added that they also providesupport in the reporting of non-compliance to the appropriateauthorities.

Mr Orban said that while envi-ronmental legislation is generallyexcellent, there are major practicalproblems as far as the onslaught onthe environment is concerned.

“The old problems are that theenforcement through the courts isnot working well; due to lack of

Continued on page 3

Environmental impactNGOS READY TO FIGHT INJUSTICE

■ Olivia Warren and Alice Steytler, president and deputy president of Herschel Preparatory School’sOutreach programme, had their work cut out for them when they requested donations of soup forcharity. Parents and pupils donated 2 830 packets and tins to distribute to the various homes for theaged, children’s homes and shelters for mothers and children that the school supports.

■Volunteers fromClaremont policestation took nine streetpeople from Claremontto clean NewlandsRugby Stadium’sgrounds and surrounds,on Saturday July 31.Thisproject marked the startof the ClaremontInclusion Project, a newinitiative aimed at re-engaging street peoplein Claremont.This clean-up project was followedby a discussion, and ahot lunch of pizza andcoffee.If you wish to make adonation of equipment, clothing or financial assistance, call Sharonon 073 639 2414 or email sands.rome@hotmail.com Pictured isClaremont resident Joseph Zulu helping to clean up.

able to make their submissionsand make a difference.

●The centre has an active web-site at www.cer.org.za that pro-vides environmental legal infor-mation where people can sign upfor free email updates, and canalso follow the centre on Facebookfor updates and discussions on hot

topics in environmental law andcompliance. You can contact theCER on 021 447 1647.

● In section 24 of the SouthAfrican Constitution it says thateveryone has the right to an envi-ronment that is not harmful totheir health or well-being; and tohave the environment protected,

for the benefit of present andfuture generations, through rea-sonable legislative and othermeasures that prevent pollutionand ecological degradation; pro-mote conservation; and secureecologically sustainable develop-ment and use of natural resourceswhile promoting justifiable eco-

■ Board members,staff members andsupporters of theCentre forEnvironmentalRights, from left,Susi Brownlie,Jeffrey Rameti, LouisSmith, Claire leRoux, ChamuwariKetano, (front)Melissa Fourie andOlivia Rumble.

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From page 1

sufficient funds to take the fights tothe highest levels of justice,” said MrOrban.

He gave the example of issueswhere developers and authoritiesback inappropriate developmentswhich are then tackled by NGOs andenvironmental organisations. “Theyhave limited access to major fundsand often cannot take the fight to thefinal round,” said Mr Orban. He saidmany lower income communities areapathetic to support or to becomepro-active in defence of the environ-ment.

“The environment is not one oftheir priorities. They do not under-stand it and they also do not supportit because too often they are told thatenvironmentalists stand in the way ofso called progress,” said Mr Orban.

“The responsibility therefore fallson the informed to educate and todefend the defenceless and the unin-formed. For that, they need knowl-

edge, easy access to information, fore-sight and funding. That is why theCER is so essential and that it growsat a rapid pace,” said Mr Orban.

Ms Fourie said the EDF will pri-marily fund the CER and anyone candonate funds. She said they will beimplementing a bequest programmefor people who want to ensure theprotection of the environment forfuture generations.

Mr Orban would like to see theEDF enlisting top legal brains on apro bono basis. “In the same way asthe medical fraternity does for serv-icing outlying areas,” said Mr Orban.

Judge Albie Sachs was the guestspeaker and talked about his past, theenvironmental cases he has dealtwith, the idealism and the reality ofbeing a Constitutional Court judgeand the huge costs, mainly time costs,involved in people going to the Con-stitutional Court and the formalitiesinvolved. Cases need to be preparedin a particular way and he is confi-dent that the CERs lawyers will be

PICTURE: KAREN WATKINS

Environmental NGOs pool resources

■ Sister Cindy Homewoodof the Bowwood Baby Clinicin Claremont celebrateswith happy mother, EstherGeretto, the fact that three-month- old Luca Gerettowas the clinic’s 10 000thbaby through the doors.

10 000TH BABY

PICTURE: EVELYN LYLE

Economic talk

Does Africa need theInternational MonetaryFund? is the big questioneconomist Dr MarkEllyne will address atGIPCA’s Great Texts / BigQuestions public lectureon Thursday August 19, at5pm at UCT’s HiddinghCampus, Orange Street,Cape Town. For moredetails call 021 480 7156.