This campaign, led by Jean-Marie De Vos Mentz, aimed to stop Corobrik’s application for coal mining in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, a critically endangered ecosystem in Pretoria, Gauteng.
The reserve, a sanctuary for wildlife and a key water source providing 15% of Pretoria’s supply, is home to species threatened with extinction, such as the white rhino and cheetah. The proposed mining operation posed severe risks, including carbon emissions exacerbating climate change, air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and increased poaching threats to the reserve’s wildlife. With coal mining fueling climate and environmental crises, the campaign sought to safeguard this precious conservation area.
Although the campaign’s original goal was not achieved, it garnered 3,415 signatures and inspired further action. Greenpeace Africa took over the fight, rallying over 50,000 supporters to demand the protection of Rietvlei. Together, these efforts have spotlighted the importance of preserving natural ecosystems against exploitation, keeping hope alive for a sustainable future.
