Coastlines for sale: The second Scramble for Africa begins

Hantu | Megan Mannion

African coastlines are the newest commodity up for grabs and those involved in the latest scramble are not unfamiliar faces. International corporations such as CGG (UK) and TotalEnergies (France) are among the fifteen other foreign companies vying for the right to seismic test and/or drill for oil and gas along the coast of South Africa. The latest area of interest is off the coast between Plettenberg Bay and Gqeberha. The proposed area for testing and drilling is perilously close to several MPAs (Marine Protected Areas), that play a vital role in the surrounding ecosystems, and if damaged the effect on the marine life would be distressing. The effects extend beyond the threat to the environment but threaten communities, especially those that rely on fishing and tourism for their income…