WATCH: Will South Africa’s new climate change laws save our beaches — and our health?
The Bhekisisa ‘Health Beat’ team visits a community suffering from the health effects of living near mine waste and finds out whether our new Climate Change Act will make a difference to those affected by air pollution
07 December 2024 - 10:00
byAnna-Maria van Niekerk, Mia Malan, Jessica Pitchford, Yolanda Mdzeke, Thatego Mashabela, Justin Barlow, Hannah Glaser, Astra Rincón Montañez, Jeannine Snyman and Greg Nelson
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Members of Bambanani Cooperative in Snake Park tend to their sunflower crop on the slopes of White Mountain, a tailings storage faciity left over from gold mining Image: Thokozile Mntambo
COP29 is over, but the destruction of climate change continues.
Residents of Snake Park in Soweto link their lung problems to a nearby mine tailings dam, where toxic waste is stored. And with more frequent floods and winds because of climate change, the dam could burst.
They’ve even blamed the dam for cerebral palsy among children in the community.
It’s possible, say scientists, while Environment Minister Dion George says it’s time for dirty industries to come clean.
Travel with us to Snake Park and hear what the minister has to say about Cape Town’s beaches — and if you’d be paying tax for driving a petrol or diesel car soon.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
WATCH: Will South Africa’s new climate change laws save our beaches — and our health?
The Bhekisisa ‘Health Beat’ team visits a community suffering from the health effects of living near mine waste and finds out whether our new Climate Change Act will make a difference to those affected by air pollution
Image: Thokozile Mntambo
COP29 is over, but the destruction of climate change continues.
Residents of Snake Park in Soweto link their lung problems to a nearby mine tailings dam, where toxic waste is stored. And with more frequent floods and winds because of climate change, the dam could burst.
They’ve even blamed the dam for cerebral palsy among children in the community.
It’s possible, say scientists, while Environment Minister Dion George says it’s time for dirty industries to come clean.
Travel with us to Snake Park and hear what the minister has to say about Cape Town’s beaches — and if you’d be paying tax for driving a petrol or diesel car soon.
This story was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. Sign up for the newsletter.
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