Source: “My Mother’s Struggle Lives On” | Global Witness
One year ago today, environment defender Fikile Ntshangase was at home with her grandson Buyile in Ophondweni, South Africa. Three unknown men arrived, stopping to check with Buyile whether his grandmother was in. They shot her dead in her living room.
Fikile was a mother and grandmother, a campaigner, and a leader who had been opposing the extension of a coal mine. Today marks one year since her brazen assassination. No arrests have been made.
The problem extends far beyond South Africa. Last year, Fikile was one of 227 people around the world who lost their lives in 2020 defending their homes, their land and livelihoods, and the ecosystems we all depend on. Environmental defenders have the right to be protected, the right to protest and the right to justice and accountability. Yet we see time and time again that their rights are ignored in favour of corporate interests and industry.
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