By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has defended Shell’s seismic blasting activities along the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast.
Shell is set to carry out a seismic survey along the 6000 kilometer of the Wild Coast this month.
The ministry convened the media briefing on Thursday in response to growing opposition to Shell’s plans to perform seismic surveys off the Wild Coast. Seismic surveying is a process of using compressed air to generate sound waves in order to collect data on what lies beneath the ocean floor.
“I cannot help but ask, are these objections meant to ensure the status quo remains in Africa, in general, and South Africa in particular?” Mantashe said.
“That is, the status quo with regards to energy poverty, high unemployment, high debt-to-GDP ratio at country level and economies that are not growing and in some cases have jobless growth.”
Mantashe added that South Africa’s economic development is being oppressed in the name of environmental protection. “We consider the objections to these developments as apartheid and colonialism of a special type, masqueraded as a great interest for environmental protection.”
He maintained, however, that he stood by section 24 of the Constitution, which requires environmental harm be minimised when embarking on activities for economic and social benefit.
Seismic surveys, Mantashe said, have been conducted for more than 50 years for a variety of purposes such as scientific research, identifying national maritime boundary zones and, more recently, for the accurate placement of offshore wind turbines.
“In the last five years there have been at least 12 seismic surveys in South Africa,” the minister said.
Mantashe said in Shell’s case appropriate environmental impact assessments and a further audit in 2020 has ensured that appropriate mitigation measures are in place so that the seismic survey does not impact on marine life.
“Oil and gas exploitation has been carried out for decades across other economies in the world … Africa deserves an equal chance.”
Last week, protests broke out along the Wild coast by members of Greenpeace and other organisations who are opposed the seismic activity.
However, the High Court has since granted Shell an order to proceed with the seismic survey along the Wild Coast.