To the Editor
I am writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment with the public participation meeting held on 22 July 2025 at the Sea Vista Community Hall regarding the proposed survey activities in offshore Block 11B/12B along South Africa’s South Coast. As a local resident who cares deeply about this region, I attended the meeting with the hope of engaging in a meaningful and transparent dialogue about the project’s potential impacts.
Instead, what I witnessed was a disappointing and disheartening display of vagueness, evasiveness, and patronising behaviour from the facilitators, leaving me with serious concerns about the integrity of this consultation process and the future of our coastal environment.
The meeting, conducted by SLR Consulting and NMA Effective Social Strategists on behalf of Main Street 1549 (Pty) Ltd, offered little more than vague promises and half-answers to crucial questions. The proposed surveys – including sonar mapping, seafloor sampling, and ROV inspections – are being pitched as “downscaled” but are being pushed forward without adequate clarity or respect for the environmental risks they pose. I, along with many others, left the meeting feeling belittled and deeply troubled.
Critical Concerns
Instead of addressing critical concerns, such as the true potential harm to marine life or the risk of oil spills, the facilitators resorted to rambling, uncoordinated responses that made us feel as though our voices didn’t matter.
Environmental Risks and Disrespect for Local Concerns:
The ocean off our coast is not just a body of water; it is a vital, living entity that supports marine life, fisheries, and the livelihoods of many families. Sonar surveys – the ones planned for this project – can disrupt marine animals and cause lasting damage to our fishing industry. Yet, during the meeting, these risks were glossed over and no real, actionable solutions were offered to protect the fragile marine environment. This disregard for our home is not only infuriating, it’s irresponsible. We deserve a thorough, transparent explanation of the risks and the concrete measures to mitigate them, not vague promises.
Community Exclusion and Economic Impact:
The Southern Cape relies on sustainable industries like fishing, tourism, and agriculture. An oil spill or industrial accident could devastate these industries, jeopardising the livelihoods of many families. Yet, despite this, we were given no clear assurances that these critical sectors would be protected. The community was largely excluded from this process. Many residents in surrounding towns and areas were unaware that the meeting was taking place, and even fewer could attend. Multiple meetings in the same small room, along with associated language and listening barriers, created additional obstacles. The information provided was inconsistent between the handouts received and those displayed in the room. It is painfully clear that our voices are being ignored.
See also: New offshore oil and gas projects in direct conflict with SA’s climate commitments
Long-Term Sustainability Concerns:
It is heartbreaking to think that our children and grandchildren may inherit a degraded coastline. Or face economic collapse because we were too eager to sacrifice long-term prosperity for short-term profit. This offshore exploration, undertaken in 2025, appears to be at odds with the world’s growing push for sustainable energy. Even the major oil companies have pulled away, recognising the high risks. So why should we, the community living on the frontline, carry the burden of this risk? This project isn’t about us; it’s about them. Our future is not a price tag to be negotiated.
I left that meeting feeling not only frustrated but betrayed. We are the ones who live here. Our families, our communities, our future is inextricably linked to this coast. If this project goes ahead without proper scrutiny, we will suffer the consequences, not the companies behind it. We have every right to demand better than what was presented – and we will not be silenced.
I call on the authorities and developers to halt this project until genuine transparency, proper public consultation, and rigorous environmental safeguards are put in place. We must be given the chance to be heard, to protect our homes, our businesses and our future. Our coast is too precious to risk. We are not asking for much – just the respect, information and consideration we deserve as the ones who will bear the weight of this decision.
Sincerely
Trevor Gascoyne
Concerned resident of SFB and Member of FOSTER Environmental Committee
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Further reading: Major Coastal Protection Project Set to Launch in St Francis Bay
Well done Trevor
Excellent response, thank you Trevor, for taking the time to articulate in writing how many of us attending the meeting felt.
Is there a petition to sign
Well said Trevor
Excellent, Trevor! Thank you. Please share this far and wide and ensure that the municipality receives it, too. You are appreciated.
A succinct summary of the issues at hand and how not to conduct a true “Public Participation” session.
Thank you Trevor. I will get on to the Department and ask why proper public open meeting was not held.
We endorse everything said by Trevor. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately I was unable to attend this “meeting”. It would certainly have raised my ire & it is criminal that the likes of Mantashe can summarily barge ahead with such an iniquitous plan which whilst lining a few pockets will have seriously detrimental effect on our oceans, biodiversity & the livelihood of those living here. It cannot be allowed
Accurately written. What infuriates me is, it’s not the first time we’re repelling them and they just keep on coming hoping we’ll be caught napping so they can push it through. Nope. Not today. Not tomorrow either.
Well worded letter, and to the point. I attended this meeting and I fully agree that it was shambolic and vague. This cannot remotely pass as the requisite due public participation
Thank you Trevor .. my sentiments entirely.
Well said Trev, we are fortunate to have people like you looking out for us! Thank you!!
Thank you, Trevor, for your eloquent and courageous articulation of a matter that strikes at the very heart of our community’s well-being. I wholeheartedly concur with your sentiments — the lack of transparency, dismissiveness, and disregard for both environmental integrity and public participation is profoundly troubling. Your impassioned appeal reflects the gravity of what is at stake, and I commend you for giving voice to our collective concerns with such clarity and conviction.
Thank you everybody – this coastline and community mean too much to just be complacent and not stand up for transparency and integrity – I have never experienced anything so disparaging and outrageous – surely honesty should prevail?
Dear Trevor. Thank you for your comments.
I also attended the public participation, and found meany of the mitigation methods vague without verifiable targets.
But, I have a sligtly different view, which I did discuss with the facilitators. This public participation was restricted to ocean surveys, and not an ESIA for drilling and production. The facilitater confirmed that a further ESIA will follow – and we must hold them to it.
Hence your concern “the true potential harm to marine life or the risk of oil spills” I believe is only valid at the next ESIA. I believe the real ‘fight’ (if relevant) starts then.
Thanks
Totally with you on this Trevor. Thanks
I am totally horrified that this project could go ahead. This coast is a one of the last.pristine areas of South Africa where pur community male a.livomg off the sea. Just look at how the beach has disappeared because of human intervention! I vote NO