Lisa Thompson

MMSEZ chief executive Lehlogonolo Masoga, the Limpopo Economic Development Agency and the consulting agency Enviroxcellence failed to address the concerns of people living in the Vhembe biosphere

While the summit leaders solemnly swear that they are singing off the same struggle song sheet towards progressive development, the bloc’s leaders’ solidarity is mostly skin-deep

Environmentalists are up in arms over the decision

Civilians working together signals the possible germination of a deeply embedded democratic culture where ethnicity no longer divides

The environmental and social impact of the special economic zone has been reduced, but Chinese investment and loans haven’t been disclosed, job creation is uncertain, and water use and toxic waste remain troubling

Information is not getting to the right people or places as voices of discontent are getting louder

The controversial Musina-Makhando initiative will pollute air and water, push climate change and produce dangerous quantities of hazardous waste

The public participation process on the environmental impact assessment for the area’s special economic zone has been shambolic

The president disclosed a development U-turn but the Special Economic Zones and China’s carbon intensive interests are likely to prevail

The country is being pushed to develop more SEZs. But is this a viable strategy, given unemployment and ‘deglobalisation’?

Activists and social movements feel left out in the cold by a process that doesn’t take them seriously