Why is this important?

Mixalon & Nakuseni Developers plans to build a new low-income development in Magaliesburg by bulldozing over a sensitive biodiversity area, but land and local activists are pushing back.

Developers didn't choose a sensitive site by accident. They know it has historical, cultural and environmental significance. They just want to destroy and build on it anyway.

You can show your solidarity with local activists in South Africa by denounce this new development.

Sign the petition: Magaliesburg: Denounce plan to build a ‘low-income’ housing development on sensitive land!

The following environmental issues will be affected by the development:

·         A perennial stream (Magalies River)

·         The site is on a Class 1 ridge

·         Most of the site is considered to be an ecological support area

From a biodiversity and water resource perspective, the site is affected by the following sensitive attributes:

·         Magalies River (and it regulatory zones associated with riparian                                  vegetation, wetlands and/or 1:100 year flood lines);

·         Class 1 Ridge and its associated Buffer (GDARD Ridge Classes Version                     8.1);

·         A Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA) and Ecological Support Area (ESA) in                      terms of the gazetted Bioregional Plan for the West Rand (Provincial                          Gazette 390 of 2 September 2015);

·         An area depicted as Irreplaceable and Ecological Support Area in                              terms of C-Plan 3.3 (GDARD);

·         Situated within the Transition Zone of the Magaliesburg Biosphere                              (proclaimed and international Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO on 9                             June 2015).

The area bordering/adjacent to/in close proximity to Nimag and Happy Valley is protected by UNESCO.  On that basis, we are requesting the intervention of UNESCO and are canvassing not only in Magaliesburg but also other parts of SA. 

We are also planning to rally support from countries in Europe and Americas as well.

Join citizens from the West Rand and South Africa by signing this petition to stop this development.