Den vhaVenda folk Vhembe, Limpopo-provinsen i det allernordligste Sydafrika, er låst i en kamp for at beskytte deres land fra at blive decimeret af udviklingsprojekter og kulminedrift, og for de sidste tilbageværende hellige naturlige voksesteder for at blive frelst fra turisme og vejbygning.

De bor i det smukke og frodige foden af ​​Soutpansberg bjergkæden og har bevaret en levende kultur, afspejles i deres mange skikke, traditioner og tro. Kernen i Venda kultur er et system af hellige naturområder, herunder den berømte, men nedbrydes Lake Funduzi, Thate Vonde Skov-og Phiphidi falder.

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, allerede et kendt sted for picnics og andre aktiviteter, fremgår af højene af strøelse og brugte kondomer, er ved at blive forvandlet til en byggeplads for at tage højde for den tro, at der vil være et stigende antal turister.

"I starten en vej blev bygget uden hensyntagen til åndelig steder langs floden. Og et stenbrud blev brudt lige over et vigtigt åndeligt websted. Nu er det mest hellige sted lige ved siden af ​​vandfaldet er ved at blive udgravet at bygge turistindkvartering uden samråd med de retmæssige vogtere og i klar strid med Sydafrikas lovgivningsmæssige rammer. I juni, Bulldozere begyndte udgravningen nær Phiphidi vandfaldet til at bygge turist loger uden at nogen af ​​de lovede konsultioner", siger en af ​​de lokale ældste.

Som reaktion, the custodians of the Venda’s sacred natural sites have formed a committee called Dzomo la Mupo (Stemmen af ​​Jorden). De mener, at hvis ødelæggelsen af ​​Phiphidi helligt sted er tilladt, it will pave the way for the destruction of all seven sacred sites in Venda. One of the chiefs explains,

"Vores hellige steder er kernen i vores kultur, vores samfund. 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 (fx. Sections 9, 30 og 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, Sydafrika.
• Send a letter of your support, or sign-on to a Statement of Support.