Our heartfelt congratulations to Desmond D’Sa, Coordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), for winning the 2014 Goldman Environmental Prize! IDEX nominated him for The Goldman Prize, the world’s largest prize honoring grassroots environmentalists, as part of our deep commitment to standing in solidarity with our grassroots partners.
Mr. D’Sa, who has worked with the SDCEA since 1996, was chosen as one of the recipients because he “rallied south Durban’s diverse and disenfranchised communities to successfully shut down a toxic waste dump that exposed nearby residents to dangerous chemicals and violated their constitutionally protected right to a safe and clean environment.”
D’Sa has campaigned tirelessly for a community free from the degradation of petrochemical refineries, heavy industry and other corporate polluters. It is in recognition of the potential of grassroots community activism to effect real and lasting change that IDEX has proudly partnered with the SDCEA since 2010. It is no surprise that D’Sa’s ceaseless efforts have led to victories on so many fronts, and recognition on the global scale.
“For the past 25 years, the Goldman Environmental Prize has honored heroic grassroots environmentalists for their achievements around the world and this year is no exception,” said David Gordon, the Executive Director of the Goldman Environmental Prize. “From fracking to palm oil development, the 2014 Goldman Prize recipients are not only tackling some of the world’s most pressing environmental problems; they are also achieving impressive environmental victories and inspiring others to do the same.”
D’Sa has now turned his sights on fighting the expansion of Durban’s port, a $10 billion project that stands to displace thousands of people without compensation and exacerbate problems such as waste management, pollution, and traffic. You can add your voice to this fight by signing the petition here.
To learn more about SDCEA, please read this article from our Partner Narrative series about their history, achievements and vision. Media outlets around the world have covered Desmond’s winning the Goldman Environmental Prize. Click here for the full list of articles, videos, and radio interviews.