It was that fateful Sunday in April 2013. Little Jordan Lewis was happily playing with her cousins in an open field near their home in Delft on the Cape Flats. What seemed like an ordinary day for an ordinary child was to change drastically and fatally for Jordan. While playing, Jordan and her cousins came into contact with toxic chemicals that were illegally dumped in the open field.
On their return home, the children complained of severe stomach aches and were rushed to hospital. Seven of them survived, but sadly, a few hours later, three year old Jordan Lewis succumbed to the toxic chemicals.
Media reports indicated she had died from organ failure. The South African Police Service reported that a case of illegal dumping of hazardous material was being investigated and that an inquest docket into Jordan’s death was opened.
READ : Something is Rotten in Durban
SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN DURBAN explores the seriousness of illegal dumping of waste in South Africa and delves into what’s rotten in environmental governance, and provides practical advice on overcoming this worldwide phenomenon.
REVIEWING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS provides a useful guide for anyone reading, reviewing and analysing environmental impact reports and shows the reader what to look for in these reports and how to critically assess the contents of these reports, and thus effectively participate in EIA processes.
Click HERE to order any of these books.
Kuben Samie is an environmental activist from Durban, South Africa, with over 20 years experience in the environmental field. He holds a degree in Zoology from the University of Durban-Westville, and a Law degree from the University of South Africa. He is an advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
He has extensive experience in evaluating and reviewing EIA reports, environmental compliance monitoring and environmental policy drafting. He is a registered natural science professional (environmental science) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.
He has undergone both national and international training in environmental enforcement (University of Pretoria); EIA (International Association for Impact Assessment); and EIA Review (United States Environmental Protection Agency).
He has served with the following South African Government departments as an environmentalist:
a) Northern Cape Department of Environmental Affairs
b) KwaZulu-Natal Department of Environmental Affairs
c) National Department of Environmental Affairs
d) eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
His ultimate aim is to fight for justice, particularly in South African communities which continue to suffer the debilitating effects of apartheid. As a public servant, he has been exposed to fraud, corruption and nepotism and he has dedicated his life to fighting this scourge within the public service.
As an experienced environmentalist, he is able to advise and assist persons and communities to exercise their environmental rights and obligations.
He is currently campaigning to save the historic Cato Manor Indian Cemetery which was desecrated and is being illegally used as a freight container depot.
