DON’T FRACK WITH NIEU-BETHESDA

The 28^th of July is GLOBAL ANTI-FRACKING DAY and yet I am amazed by how many people still do not know what Hydraulic Fracturing is despite the media coverage fought for by an organization like the Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG); or simply paid for by the oil companies who have applied for exploration rights to an area that covers almost one-fifth of South Africa’s territorial surface.

Shell South Africa has applied for exploration rights for 90 000km² of the ecologically sensitive Karoo – virtually its entirety. The village of Nieu-Bethesda falls within this area and is unique in that it has no petrol station, no tarred roads and no street lights. Situated in a valley in the Sneeuberg Range, 1500 meters above sea level and overshadowed only by the Compassberg which at 2400 meters towers imperviously above the arid expanse of the Great Karoo, "where the land meets the sky". The village is where you will find Helen Martin’s world famous Owl House and where the celebrated playwright, Athol Fugard lived while he wrote The Road To Mecca.

The future of countless little Karoo towns like Nieu-Bethesda will be in danger of extinction as water contamination, environmental degradation and the inevitable loss of livelihoods in a fragile regional economy that is largely sustained by agriculture and tourism.

On the weekend of the 27^th & 28^th of July the village of Nieu-Bethesda will be hosting a series of events that will raise awareness about the dangers of fracking.

On Friday evening a networking meet-and-greet at the Ramstal Pub will start with the screening of the locally made documentary entitled Unearthed, which will be followed by a bring-and-braai and an informal discussion session with local stakeholders and guests.

On Saturday morning a special Village Market will take place where the colourful and creative locals buy, sell and barter a mouth watering variety and organic, homemade food and handcrafted ‘little goodies’ as well as an eclectic assortment of seconds. To book a stall, email Belinda on belinda.meltingpot@gmail.com by the 21^st July.

On Saturday between 10.30 and 3pm, Marina Louw from the Climate Justice Campaign will conduct a workshop designed to equip interested individuals and activists with resource materials that have been developed with Earthlife Africa to educate communities about the dangers of fracking. To book your place for this free workshop, please email Marina on marina.louw@mweb.co.za before the 15^th of July.

At 17.45 a pre-concert anti-fracking rally will be held at The Old Church Hall where Steve Newman and Greg Georgiades will begin their performance at 19.00.

Tickets for the concert are R100 and for more information about accommodation and bookings please call 0498411642 during office hours or email accommodation@nieu-bethesda.com