Future enviro crusaders attend SDCEA youth camp
It’s very important we empower youth as the future leaders
HOPING to inspire the next generation of environmental crusaders, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) hosted a group of youngsters for a climate change youth camp at the Bluff Eco Park from 27 to 29 May.
“It’s very important we empower youth as the future leaders to actively engage in environmental challenges,” said SDCEA.
Youths form Durban, Illovu, Richards Bay, Mtubatuba and Empangeni joined the SDCEA team and guest speakers, Arnia Van Vuuren and Alice Thompson for a weekend of education and entertainment.
The culmination of the event saw them create their own placards in a call for action on Sunday, 30 May. With phrases like ‘South Durban lives matter’, ‘mining must fall’ and ‘info access now’, the youngsters showed they are willing to fight for their own futures.
“South Durban has long been the land of the forgotten people, left behind by justice and sustainable development and that must end sooner rather than later. It is high time government, refinery bosses, major roleplayers and the country recognise the plight of the residents in the South Durban Basin (SDB) and help make substantial shifts towards a greener SDB and subsequently a greener country,” said Precious Mazibuko.
SDCEA hopes to bring the crucial issues related to climate change to the forefront of people’s minds and create a network of contacts to assist in fighting climate change and environmental injustice.
Armed with a declaration of demands they created, the youths took the message back to their respective communities. Click here to read the declaration.
“SDCEA wishes all South African youths a great youth month and reminds them they are the future of this land and must stand up now against the injustices we all suffer and will endure in the future.”
