Taking Climate Justice on the Road: CJC’s National Outreach

May 2025

CJC organiser Cleopatra Shezi has been taking the message of climate justice and People’s Power across South Africa: building connections, listening to communities, and deepening the Coalition’s grassroots work.

KwaZulu-Natal Outreach

In March, Cleo, alongside Steering Committee member Simpiwe Zwane, travelled through KwaZulu-Natal as part of CJC’s ongoing community mapping initiative. In Ebubweni, residents spoke about their long-standing struggle to access clean water. With no functioning infrastructure, households rely solely on rainwater collected in large drums: a stark example of how environmental injustice plays out in daily life. These stories continue to ground our work in the lived realities of those most affected by the climate crisis.

Workshops in the Northern Cape

In May, Cleo visited communities in the Northern Cape with Project 90 by 2030, facilitating climate justice workshops and supporting local organising. Residents voiced deep concerns about mining-related water contamination, which has led to health risks and even structural damage to homes. They also reported the disturbing use of drones surveying land for fossil fuel extraction, without any consultation or consent.

These outreach visits are vital in strengthening the Coalition’s work as part of our developing People’s Power campaign and ensuring that frontline communities are seen, heard and supported. Follow us on social media to stay updated on where Cleo and the CJC team are headed next.