By Nothando Mtshali
Dirty water, illness and forced removals are just some of the issues that the community of Somkhele in Mtubatuba in the Northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal say a coal mine has brought them. They say promises of wealth haven’t been kept and that operations are done with the secrecy that has brought them a tough time in the area of their ancesters.
The was once peaceful rural village has become a space of conflict where homes for are now filled with black dust. Some say ancestral graves have been moved without consultations with the families.
Thokozile Mkhwanazi, a resident and community activist, says her life changed when the mine expanded near her home. “They told us the mine would help us. But we lost our homes, our clean water, and even our graves,” she said.
She says some graves were moved without proper permission or cultural rituals. “Those are our ancestors. It’s very painful.”
Many in the community say they were forced to leave their land and that they were not given enough information or choice.
Some villagers say water from streams and boreholes is no longer safe to drink. They now rely on water from the municipality, which doesn’t always arrive on time. “There’s coal dust in the air all the time. We cough a lot. Children get sick. We don’t feel healthy anymore,” explains Mkhwanazi
Bongiwe Zungu, a young mother from the area, says the mine has made life harder for her family. “My baby is always sick with chest problems. We used to grow vegetables, but the soil is no longer the same. Nothing grows like before,” she says.
Mandla Ntuli, an elder in the community, adds that they feel forgotten. “We have meetings, but no one listens. We just want respect for our land, our history, and our people,” he says.
Tendele Coal Mining is the company working in the area. Their spokesperson, Sipho Dlamini, says they are following the law and trying to help the community.
“We support local schools and clinics, and we give jobs to some local people,” he says.
“We know there are problems and we are working on fixing them,” Dlamini continues.
He also says that when people were relocated, the company followed the correct legal process and gave compensation.
Councillor Mgexo Khumalo, who represents the Somkhele area, says the situation needs urgent attention. “We must protect people’s rights. The company must listen more, and the community must be treated with respect,” he explains.
He wants a full investigation into the water and the way people were moved from their land.
Many people in Somkhele are now working together to demand change. They want the mine to stop harming their land and community, and they want their voices to be heard before any decisions are made. “We’re not against development, but it must be fair. We want to live safely, with respect for our culture and our land.”
The people of Somkhele continue to hope that their struggle will bring justice and that future development will come with care, not harm.
