Download PDFOrganisationisal Profile: Snake Park Bambanani
By Jamie-Lee Kruger
The Snake Park organisation was founded by Sicelo Sithole and Thokozile Mtambo in 2022, in Soweto where it operates. The formation of Snake Park Bambanani was a culmination of community struggle against tailings – which is waste materials left over after extracting and processing of minerals or metals from ore.
These tailing caused a big environmental problem for the residents of Snake Park. “Radioactive wind flows to communities affecting their health, causing TB, and eczema – a well-known skin condition, cerebellum pulse in children, as well as soil pollution effecting plant growth.” says comrade Sithole.
In November 2023, the organisation together with its members rehabilitated mine tailings by planting sunflowers to extract toxic chemicals from the soil. The organisation then planted grass to cover the whole mine tailings to prevent the radioactive wind being blown off the area and towards the community.
The members of the organisation also campaign in schools and communities to raise awareness about the health complications mine tailings can and will cause. They also share how these tailings affect the community. They handed out pamphlets at schools to educate communities on mine tailings.
“The organisation went to meet the mine owners after sending numerous emails, engaged with them to make proper closure and proper fencing and to maintain the closures. We also showed them pictures on how children are playing on the affected soil. In February 2025, the mine responded that they will remine and rehabilitate communities in the next 5 years, which is 2030,” says comrade Sithole.
Ikemeleng Organisation
By Holy Kgotleng
Ikemeleng was started by Phindile in 2021. It is based in Rustenburg, in a small area called Kroondal.
The organisation was officially registered in January 2023 by five members. They began by collecting data to understand the problems in their community and find ways to make a difference.
Ikemeleng helps people improve their daily lives. They offer education, workshops, and training. They also work with other organisations that deal with similar issues. One of their main focuses is supporting backyard gardens and helping communities affected by mining.
The name Ikemeleng means “stand up for yourself.” The organisation is supported by Khulisa Social Solutions, which helps women maintain their backyard gardens.
Mining is a big problem in the area because it pollutes the environment. Ikemeleng works with different groups to take pictures and report the damage caused by the mines. They also write letters to mining companies, demanding that they stop polluting the water and harming the land.
Ikemeleng is committed to making real changes in the community, standing up for people’s rights, and protecting the environment.
This article was submitted as part of the Imbila Yesu publication produced daily for the duration of the Winter School in 2025 (15-19 June 2025). It appeared in Edition 2, released on 17 June 2025. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the author and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
