Kgalagadi District
20 February 2007
Environmental Affairs and Tourism Deputy Minister, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi,
embarked on a road show in Kgalagadi District, Northern Cape, and was greeted
by disturbing news of communities living under a blanket of asbestos dust
arising from the un-rehabilitated mine dumps and causing unprecedented diseases
to the locals.
Polluted asbestos-filled dust blown by wind to communities in the vicinity
of the mine dumps in Kgalagadi District, Northern Cape province, is wreaking
havoc and leaving a trail of fast spreading sufferings to poverty stricken
communities. No remedial work has been done to address the problem and the
problem is poised to worsen if nothing is done soon.
Many people have already been diagnosed with asbestos related diseases such
as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma which attack the residents through
inhalation of asbestos fibres and there is no known scientific cure for these
diseases. The findings of the survey indicate that 19 communities are
affected.
The virtually indestructible asbestos fibres can break into thousands of
microscopic particles, get released into the atmosphere and thereafter form
part of the polluted air people breathe daily. Aided by people's movements, the
asbestos fibres can spread up to 100 kilometres radius from the source.
Asbestos can be found in building materials used for schools, churches, public
offices, homes and brake linings of cars and trucks. The crumbling of roofs and
bricks made of asbestos further exacerbate the problem as more fibres are
released into the air. The entire Kgalagadi District is virtually covered in
asbestos since asbestos is found in public facilities such as clinics,
churches, police stations, tribal offices, sports fields, schools and city
business districts (CBDs).
Learners at Gamopedi schools now have to grapple with fighting
asbestos-induced diseases instead of concentrating on their studies. The
Vergenoeg Tower community is also subjected to the same challenge of fighting
off the ailments. The unabated spread of the diseases has recently claimed the
life of a young researcher from a local community. Pessimism has engulfed the
residents as the worst is feared in the future if help doesn't come urgently.
The low socio-economic status of the communities makes it impossible for
residents to fight the diseases since residents have no money to access quality
medicines. The asbestos dust covers many homes and even spread to household
items including cooking utensils.
Although compensation agencies and support structures have been established,
their services mainly benefit former employees and their descendants. Residents
without historical links with former asbestos mining companies but are affected
aren't receiving assistance to seek compensation.
Commenting at a road show on Monday, 19 February 2007, Deputy Minister
Rejoice Mabudafhasi said, "Plans to counter environmental degradation caused by
asbestos fibres will be vigorously pursued by mobilising non-government
organisations (NGOs), business and the provincial government to help the
affected residents. Addressing the problem would require huge resources and the
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is exploring various avenues to
solicit both capital and human resources to assist provinces to initiate
rehabilitations. Furthermore, I would like to appeal to the private sector to
come on board to contribute to the collective efforts to rehabilitate the mines
and initiate a programme to reduce the concentration of asbestos fibres in the
atmosphere. Projects involving public-private partnerships always deliver
impressive results and I would like to see a similar collaboration
environmentally changing the lives of Kgalagadi people."
Asbestos mining began in the 1880s and South Africa contributed 97% of the
world blue asbestos production. Cape Plc (via Cape Blue), Merencor and
Griqualand Exploratory and Finance Company (GEFCO) were the main owners of
asbestos producing mines. The closure of the manually operated mines (seven)
which were left open when the operations were closed, occurred in 1990.
For more information please contact:
Moses Rannditsheni
Media Liaison Officer
Department Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Tel: (012) 310 3899
Cell: 082 448 2450
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
20 February 2007
