South Africa: in the shadow of coal-fired power plants

Audio 02:16

80% coal, South Africa's electricity production is the most polluting in the world, according to a recent study by the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research (CREA).

© Getty Images / Thegift777

By: Romain Chanson Follow

3 min

At the COP26 in Glasgow, South Africa will seek funding to shut down its coal-fired power stations and switch to cleaner energy production.

In addition to promoting global warming, coal mining and combustion threaten the health of populations living near mines and power plants.

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From our correspondent in Johannesburg,

Two little girls, two asthmatics, diagnosed after birth.

For their mother, Mbali Mathebula, the officials are all around the township of Kwa-Guqa.

“ 

I think it's because of the air pollution, because it's very dirty.

It's because of the mines.

Because when we change provinces, my daughter feels better,

 ”she explains.

In the event of an asthma attack, Mbali Mathebula can plug in the small electric ventilator that he was given to relieve his daughters.

The device works, but in real life, it is often useless, because we can go a week, even two months without electricity,

 " she laments.

► Read also: Why coal slows down the G20's climate commitments

The disadvantages of power plants without the advantages

Living next to a power station does not guarantee you access to electricity in the

townships

. The inhabitants have the feeling to undergo all the inconveniences of this neighborhood without obtaining any advantage. “ 

I'm very, very angry, because they're not doing anything for us, they're not helping the community. So I don't see anything good in the mines, they are only here to destroy everything

 , ”says Mbali Mathebula.

Direction the township of Phola and its clinic.

Here, patients regularly report respiratory problems, confirms nurse Thabile Masemula.

“ 

Most of them have asthma, chest pain, difficulty breathing.

This is even more true in children who have problems with nasal congestion, sneezing, which can be linked to the air in Phola which is loaded with dust,

 ”says the healthcare professional.

Government attacked by NGOs

The inhabitants mainly complain about the dust released by the mines.

They mix with sulfur dioxide, a toxic gas emitted in excessive quantities by South African coal-fired power stations.

Several NGOs are suing the government.

► To read also: COP26: Gwede Mantashe, pro-coal minister, symbol of the South African dilemma

They believe that the constitutional right to a healthy environment has been violated, details Promise Mabilo of the NGO Vejma.

Our land is contaminated, our water is contaminated, there is nothing good or healthy in our environment,

 " laments Promise Mabilo.

Exhausted by a never-ending fight, she burst into tears.

“ 

I have seen so many children suffer ... When I talk about this problem, I get emotional, I can't really take it.

 "

A few kilometers away, the Kusile coal-fired power station, one of the largest in the world, is under construction.

80% coal, South Africa's electricity production is the most polluting in the world, according to a recent study by the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research (CREA).

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  • South Africa

  • Environment

  • Energies