By RFIPosted on 12-10-2019Modified on 12-10-2019 at 12:38

South Africans join the Extinction Rebellion movement. On Friday, October 12, a hundred people found themselves in front of the Mineral Resources Department, in the capital Pretoria, to protest against the policy of "all coal", and submit a petition to the authorities.

The ecologist movement Extinction Rebellion has been illustrated in recent days by non-violent actions around the world to denounce the inaction of leaders in the face of climate change. On the agenda of the " international rebellion ", the blocking of a London airport , the occupation of a central district of Paris . Activists in South Africa also responded to the call on Friday 11 October.

In the South African event, the atmosphere is good-natured, giant puppets parade in front of the ministry, and a black hourglass was painted on the placards. This symbol of the Extinction Rebellion movement is clear: time is running out if we want to act against climate change.

Brandon Abdinor, one of the organizers of the event, recalls the environmental issues in South Africa: " In this country, there are droughts. We also see more climate disasters. We must declare the climate emergency, and take measures to drastically reduce our carbon emissions. "

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More than 85% of electricity production in the country is based on coal . An industry responsible for pollution and disease in areas where mines and power plants are located.

Meshack Mbahgula fights for the rights of communities affected by these activities: " Our leaders go to climate conferences to talk about emission reductions, but as soon as they come back here, they do the opposite ! And that already has consequences for black communities, the poorest. We must change everything, and stop the "all coal" . "

#ExtinctionRebellion also in the streets of #Pretoria to protest the South African government's "all coal" policy @XRGauteng @ r2kcampaign @ExtinctionR pic.twitter.com/saiyI5FbL5

Claire Bargelès (@ClaireBargel) October 11, 2019

At 18, Thando Magidela finds herself very much in the spirit of Greta Thunberg . She hopes the young South Africans will come together to make their voices heard: " The environmental movements are seen as elitist, so we need to change the way we present our struggle, so that people can understand that it also concerns them, and that they must act. "

Activists expect a response from the minister to their petition by January 2019, otherwise they will engage in acts of civil disobedience.

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