Sand mining plans under scrutiny
| Author | Fouzia Van der Fort fouzia.vanderfort@inl.co.za |
| Published date | 09 March 2022 |
| Publication title | Plainsman |
This follows a Plainsman meeting with Friendly Sands, a new community organisation, representing the interests of the Strandfontein community in pursuit of development.
They came together a few months ago, when businessman and resident Shahied Davids met with resident Gaironesa Diedericks, and former chairperson of the Strandfontein Ratepayers' Association, who had previously vehemently opposed the excavation of the sand dunes and the possible spoiling of her view of the ocean (“Upset over sand mining plans”, Plainsman, July 18).
Ms Diedericks has subsequently been converted to wanting the dunes to be flattened on condition that there would be development in her hometown of more than 40 years.
“I look around and I see my neighbours, their children who are sitting on the corners in drug stupors. There is no hope. They need employment. They need opportunities,” she said.
They then roped in Ricardo de Reuck, the director of the Cape Flats branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), and community worker Ruwayda Curnow, from Opperman’s Oord, who want to oversee and complete a fact-finding approach to inform decisions on whether to sand mine in Strandfontein.
They visited the Macassar site a few weeks ago to see first-hand a sand mine in operation.
On Thursday Sewende Laan informal residents Angie du Plessis and Maggie Kampher joined them and asked Mr Darries whether all measures would be put in place to protect their homes from dust and noise, and make sure there was no harm to their health, living environment and heritage.
Ms Kampher asked how they could benefit from the development and what recourse residents had in complaining if the mining permit conditions were not adhered to.
“As a community worker I have to raise the concerns of our community,” she said.
Mr Darries said that the national department had various sectors to ensure the sand is mined under strict conditions.
He said each of the sectors had to be satisfied that all avenues had been tried to mitigate any conditions hampering health, safety, hygiene, environmental, heritage and security of the site and its neighbours.
“It is our policy to give back to the community and to rope them in when needed to share. Not to expose the environment, its botanical and ecological habitats.”
He said that the area...
To continue reading
Request your trial