STAFF

Desmond D’Sa environmental and human rights activist, a resident of Wentworth’ in Durban South Africa. For over 24 years he has been a watchdog snapping at the heels of errant companies, particularly major oil refineries, who have polluted their way through decades of industrial expansion in south Durban, Durban South Africa.

Ironically, it was industry that made him what he is today. In the early 1990s he was appointed safety & risk officer at Durban Fibre’s, a move that introduced him to “the horrors of chemicals”, and subsequently set him on the environmental warpath.

When he started off with issues of community consciousness, he was always told by industry bosses that they don’t need people like him in this world, But he pursued his convictions, often going against a lot of advice, even his own family n friends. People said that he would be taking on giants, he’s not going to win and he’s going to be marginalized, but at the same time he’s gained a lot of friends out there who are also concerned like him. He can be proud in what he’s doing and he does it with a smile and respect.

His tireless campaigning over the years, more recently as coordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), has all been worth the effort.  Born in 1956 in Cato Manor, he spent his early years happily with his parents and 12 siblings on their 25-acre holding. Des is married to Beatrice and they have 3x girls Tammy, Valerie and Taryn and a son Rodney

In 1966 they were forcibly removed to Wentworth, and it was only in 1974 that they were finally allocated an unsuitably sized council flat in which D’Sa has lived to this day. He began his working career in 1971 and spent 17 years in the textile industry after joining the Frame group in 1975. That was succeeded by his job at Durban Fibers before he moved to Sasol’s Isipingo plant (which has since closed) where he remained until 1999.

In his last two jobs, D’Sa was a trade unionist and gained first-hand knowledge of the dangers chemicals present to workers and nearby residents. But D’Sa’s real involvement in community affairs began 18 years ago with the advent of gangs in Wentworth. “Wentworth had a lot of social problems, especially with gangs, and it lacked credibility of leadership in the area in the sense that people didn’t know who to go to, who to talk to.”We managed to turn that around by creating the first public forum meetings through the Wentworth Development Forum, where we had people coming to talk about their problems and working together to try to resolve those problems.”

In 1995, SDCEA – an alliance of 21 community organizations from the Bluff, Isipingo, Umlazi, Wentworth and Merebank – was formed. “SDCEA are the true democrats of the South African flag, because, since forming, there has been more sharing of the bread among different race groups in south Durban than anywhere else I have come across,” says D’Sa.

The group, which addresses environmental and human rights issues, has forged links in South Africa with organizations such as groundwork in Pietermaritzburg, SA Climate Action Network (fighting for cleaner technology), and SA Exchange Programme for Environmental Justice and Earthlife Africa (dealing with water and nuclear issues). Abahlali Base’Mjondolo [the biggest Shack dwellers movement in SA,STREETNET[ The Street traders movement ] . The Centre for Civil Society at the University of KWAZULU Natal. Its international allies include the Global Monitoring Alliance and Global Health Fund, both in the US, and Friends of the Earth in the UK.

D’Sa likens his work to a worldwide crusade, which in the last few years has seen him confront the boards of Anglo-American, of which Mondi is a subsidiary, and Shell and BP in London. Armed with a single share in each of the multinational companies, he challenged board members at their annual meetings of shareholders to address the “poor” environmental standards practiced by them in south Durban.

In a visit to the UK and Amsterdam, D’Sa has joined forces with Friends of the Earth to protest outside Shell’s London and its headquarters in The Hague. “That has been our biggest challenge so far. Through this campaign Shell was forced to change their rotten pipelines in Durban South Africa.

Closer to home, SDCEA is grappling with decisions taken by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs to allow a R150-million expansion at Engen and the construction of what D’Sa maintains is an incinerator at Mondi. He believes these two developments will exacerbate already high levels of ambient air pollution when other alternatives are available. “We are not anti-development, but we are anti-air-pollution. We welcome sustainable development,” he says.

His extensive role in the community is evident from the number of people who wave at him as he moves about the communities from one meeting to another. He is a friend, an advisor, a shrink and so many other things to the south Durban community members who day in and day out visit him for advice concerning family, work, housing and many others. He offers a simple reason for his unstinting community work: “I have a passion for the environment. I believe in a clean environment. I believe in leaving something for the present generation but more so for the future generation. “These businessmen who exploit the environment are people who also live in communities, people with their own families. What are they thinking about leaving behind for their kids?” He continues to empower the youth to stand up and

He is also the coordinator for SDCEA- south Durban community environmental alliance which is a NGO that seeks to address issues concerned with human rights and environmental injustices. His work extends far beyond pollution and harmful toxins contributing to the ill health of communities.

He is the chairperson of the WDF-Wentworth Development Forum which combats major issues such as housing and development in communities.

He is the member of the mental health, Aged and the disabled. Empowering these citizens to believe and make a difference in society. He is also a member of the CBCO- Community Building Credible Organizations.

His work extends far greater than just south Durban. He has travelled for peace principals and participation working in Kenya, Malawi, Botswana, DRC, Swaziland, Zambia, Nigeria and many other places. Internationally he has made his mark in the USA, Texas, new Orleans, Louisiana, new York, Chicago, Seattle, Washington DC, san Francisco, California, London, Ireland, Denmark, Amsterdam, Brussels, France, India.

He works well with his colleges and is much respected by many young people who look up to him for his sense of firm attitude, vigor and energy as well as respect to fight for his right and the rights of communities yet always encouraging, motivating, friendly and full of humour, understanding and comforting but most of all his passion for what he does and life itself.

Desmond D’Sa has received the 2013 Diakonia Human Rights Award in light of his selfless and tireless commitment and contribution to environmental justice and human rights.

D’Sa has also been honoured the 2014 recipient of the very prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize Award and now has been honoured with a doctorate from the Durban University of Technology, Health Sciences Department.