20 seconds of your time will make a WORLD of difference!

[Fred van der Neut]

This may be an unusual forum to discuss a World Heritage, but I received the following note about a battle that is worth joining.  If anything, it is worth 20 seconds of your time to vote..... please read on: 

 

The battle over the future of Vele colliery has come to represent the supreme example of the competing tensions between mining and conservation, of whether ecologically rich areas are more profitable conserved than “developed”, of long-term sustainability versus short-term exploitation.   As such, the dispute over Vele has become the defining debate, the ultimate test case which will determine whether coherent policies will be developed which will enable both mining and eco-tourism to prosper, not at the expense of each other but to the benefit of South Africa.

 

The website of The Endangered Wildlife Trust carries a poll of whether mining should be allowed within Mapungubwe.  As of yesterday 1532 (54%) said “Yes” and 1290 (46%) said “No” – a disconcerting and slightly unbelievable statistic.  The Vele issue is heading inexorably toward the courts where all elements of persuasion will be brought into play to influence judgment.   A poll reflecting general support for mining within a world heritage site could be gleefully paraded.

 

PLEASE, spare just a few seconds, go to www.ewt.org.za and vote “No” under "POLL" in the left hand column.