The Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and Earthlife-Africa Johannesburg (ELA-JHB) continued their challenge of government’s proposal for R1 trillion nuclear deal as they marched from Parliament to the Cape High Court yesterday, Wednesday February 22.
While they continue with their weekly (Wednesday) vigil, held outside Parliament, protest efforts were stepped-up during the week of the President’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA). Community members took to the bridges and streets with clear messages: “Stop the nuclear deal” and “Stop government secrecy.”
Astrid Von Kotze joined the protest on the Firgrove bridge on the M3 highway saying she’s unhappy with government’s secrecy about the deal and would prefer natural energy solutions, which are abundant in South Africa. Constantia activist Justine Hansen rallied many people who joined her on the bridge.
Stiaan Van Der Merwe from the south peninsula was also there and says he is ashamed that the country is not informed by world trends in terms of harnessing natural energy.
Protesters planned to hold a vigil while court proceedings were under way, joined by civil society organisations Right2Know Western Cape (R2K WC), One Million Climate Jobs Campaign, the Green Anglicans and Catholic Justice and Peace.
