EAST LONDON- Impact Africa hosted a pivotal engagement at Garden Court in East London on 30th July 2025, aiming to hear directly from local communities about their concerns regarding offshore oil and gas exploration.
The session focused on understanding how these activities might affect people’s lives, cultural heritage and their connection to the ocean, creating a platform for open dialogue around environmental and societal sensitivities.
The event provided a space for meaningful engagement, where participants highlighted concerns about possible disruptions to marine life, fishing activities and sacred coastal sites.
Others called for a balanced approach that considers both economic development and the preservation of indigenous knowledge and traditions tied to the ocean.
A member of the Buffalo City Maritime Cluster Pamela Gordy, shared her insights during the recent maritime information session hosted by Impact Africa, with support from HCI Foundation.
She described the event as a key information-sharing session focused on oil and gas developments, particularly in response to a previous court ruling involving offshore drilling along the Wild Coast. In addition, she explained, highlighting that municipalities and business stakeholders are now being consulted as part of that broader engagement process. From her perspective, this could be part of a compliance effort ensuring that all necessary parties are consulted before a final environmental management plan is drawn up and drilling begins. “This sessions seems to be a move in that direction,” she said.
A student from University of Fort Hare, currently studying maritime law, Bathandwa Hlanjwa shared his reflection on the conference hosted by Impact Africa. He described the session as highly informative, particularly because it addressed technical aspects of the maritime and offshore oil and gas sectors that are not commonly understood by the general public.
Furthermore, the student noted the discussions around maritime economic zones and offshore drilling, but emphasized the need for greater youth involvement in the sector. “I would like to see more efforts made to include young people and small businesses, as opportunities in this space often feel limited and inaccessible,” he said.
The session highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue between industry and communities. With voices from students, businesses and locals, it marked a positive step toward more inclusive and transparent development in the maritime and energy sectors.
Photograph: Sandiswa Mgobo
