Fikile Ntshangase

Fikile Ntshangase, born in nineteen fifty-seven, was a prominent South African environmental activist whose unwavering commitment to environmental justice made her a key figure in her community. She was a dedicated member of the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (MCEJO), an organization that has been at the forefront of legal battles against the expansion of an open-cast coal mine operated by Tendele Coal Mining (Pty) Ltd.

Her activism was particularly focused on the protection of the Somkhele area, which is located near the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, the oldest nature reserve in Africa. Fikile's efforts were not just about preserving the environment; they were also about safeguarding the livelihoods and health of her community, which faced significant threats from industrial activities.

Tragically, Fikile's life was cut short when she was assassinated on twenty-two October two thousand twenty. Her death was a stark reminder of the dangers faced by environmental defenders in South Africa and highlighted the ongoing struggle for environmental justice in the region.