As pessoas vhaVenda de Vhembe, Província de Limpopo no extremo norte da África do Sul, estão bloqueados em uma luta para proteger suas terras de ser dizimada por projetos de desenvolvimento e mineração de carvão, e para os últimos restantes sítios naturais sagrados para ser salvo do turismo e construção de estradas.

Eles vivem no sopé bela e fértil da Serra Soutpansberg e mantiveram uma cultura vibrante, refletidos em seus muitos costumes, tradições e crenças. No núcleo da cultura Venda é um sistema de sítios naturais sagrados, incluindo o famoso, mas degradadas Lake Funduzi, Thate Vonde Floresta e Phiphidi cai.

Phiphidi is a place where important rain-making rituals are carried out by elders of the Ramunangi clan. But scant recognition is given to the spirituality of Phiphidi waterfall nor the traditions that have been the bedrock of Ramunangi culture for centuries. The waterfall, já no local um conhecido para piqueniques e outras atividades, preservativos evidente desde os montes de lixo e usado, está sendo transformada em um canteiro de obras para atender a crença de que haverá um número crescente de turistas.

"No início, uma estrada foi construída sem qualquer consideração de lugares espirituais ao longo do rio. E uma pedreira logo acima foi extraído um importante sítio espiritual. Agora, o lugar mais sagrado direito ao lado da cachoeira está sendo escavado para a construção de alojamento turístico sem qualquer consulta, com os guardiões legítimos e em clara violação do quadro legislativo da África do Sul. Em junho, bulldozers começaram a escavar perto da cachoeira Phiphidi para construir alojamentos turísticos sem qualquer do cônsul prometeutações", diz um dos anciãos locais.

Em resposta, the custodians of the Venda’s sacred natural sites have formed a committee called Dzomo la Mupo (A voz da Terra). Eles acreditam que, se a destruição de Phiphidi local sagrado é permitido, it will pave the way for the destruction of all seven sacred sites in Venda. One of the chiefs explains,

"Nossos sítios sagrados estão no cerne de nossa cultura, nossa comunidade. If we protect them and respect them, we have a chance to save the future. All previous generations of elders and leaders, respected our sacred sites. Why is it now being destroyed? What has happened to our leaders? Do they feel no obligation to their ancestors or to their children?.”

The role of sacred sites across the world is recognised internationally by IUCN and UNESCO as places of ecological, cultural and spiritual significance. South Africa has legal obligations under the South African Heritage Resources Act and international law to protect biodiversity and community rights to sacred lands, cultural and spiritual practice and prior informed consent. The South African Constitution also states that all South African citizens have the right to enjoy and practice their culture and spirituality and associate freely without discrimination (e.g. Sections 9, 30 e 31); a right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing and to have the environment protected (Section 24); and a right to information (Section 32). They also have a right to administrative justice.

“Government bodies have failed to uphold their responsibilities to protect the rights of communities as required by law”, explains Roger Chennels, the legal advisor to the Dzomo la Mupo.“The ongoing and deliberate destruction of Phiphidi waterfalls, one of the last most sacred places in Venda, clearly illustrates that although South Africa has made good progress in terms of instituting progressive legislation, it is still far behind in the democratic implementation of these laws. When it comes to the implementation of rights-based legislation, poor communities are still at the mercy of officials flouting their very clear constitutional rights and traditional authorities that have too much political power to take their subjects’ concerns seriously.”

The Gaia Foundation and the African Biodiversity Network are supporting Dzomo la Mupo to stop the bulldozers, arguing for protection of customary rights and responsibilities to sacred lands. Meanwhile the bulldozers continue to destroy this sacred site of Phiphidi waterfall and forest, to start building tourist huts without local consultation with the community nor legally required environmental impact assessments.

Take action

• Join us in helping to stop the destruction of Phiphidi waterfalls and other sacred sites in Venda, South Africa.
• Send a letter of your support, or sign-on to a Statement of Support.