16 March 2010
Friends of the Earth is planning a discussion with two South African activists about the proposed $3.75 million loan to Eskom which will fund the construction of the Medupi power station tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Please join us for a briefing with South African environmental justice advocates campaigning to stop the World Bank from approving a disastrous coal loan.
When: Wednesday, Marcy 17, 1-2 pm
Where: Friends of the Earth, 1717 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 600 (by the Dupont Circle Red Line Metro)
Why: The World Bank is considering a $3.75 billion loan to South African power company Eskom to build one of the largest and dirtiest coal-fired power plants in the world. At the same time, the Bank is aggressively going after climate finance, trying to pitch itself as the world’s climate banker. Makoma Lekalakala of Earthlife Africa and Caroline Ntaopane are at the forefront of a South African movement to stop this giant coal loan from the World Bank from going forward. Not only would this loan contribute to building the world’s 4th largest coal power plant, it would exacerbate energy poverty.
This event is sponsored by Africa Action and Friends of the Earth. Please RSVP to to let us know if you plan on attending.
Feel free to bring some lunch.
Biographies
Makoma Lekalakala has served as a human rights activist for the past 25 years. Having worked previously with Jubilee South Africa, Social Movements Indaba, the Ceasefire anti-militarisation campaign, and served as a member of several women’s and community based organisations, Makoma is presently a Programme Officer at Earthlife Africa in Johannesburg, where she works with local communities on linkages between energy, climate change, gender and economic justice issues. An activist within the social movements in South Africa, her work aims to improve people’s lives through creating awareness and capacity building, with the focus on communities to be empowered so they are able to respond to various challenges.
Caroline Ntaopane is a Sasolburg resident with skills in mathematics and business economics. Caroline is fluent in English, Sesotho and Afrikaans. She has worked with organisations such as Sasolburg Air Quality Monitoring Committee, Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance, labour movements and church organisations, working on behalf of communities in challenging environmental degradation caused by local industries. Her religious commitment to the St. Peter's Anglican Church has greatly encouraged her to fight against environmental injustice in Sasolburg, and her concern for the environment was highlighted when her child began showing signs of respiratory illnesses.