On 16 September 2025, Coastal Links South Africa, communities from the Wild Coast, the Amadiba Crisis Committee, and several partner organisations gathered outside the Constitutional Court for the important Wild Coast Communities vs Shell case. People travelled from different parts of the country to stand together and show support for fishing communities who are challenging Shell’s plans for offshore oil and gas exploration.
The atmosphere outside the Court was energetic and united. Community members held signs, chanted, and listened to speakers explain why the case matters. They spoke about the ocean as a source of life, food, and culture, and stressed that drilling and seismic surveys threaten these ways of living. A press briefing helped bring public attention to the constitutional, environmental, and socio-economic rights at risk.
The mobilisation continued the next day, 17 September 2025, at Constitution Hill with a public speak-out. Here, fishers and the youth shared their personal stories. These stories were about relying on the sea for income, about past struggles against extractive projects, and about their hope for a future where communities can decide what happens to their land and ocean. There were also discussions about extractivism, the ocean economy, and why communities are asserting their Right to Say No to harmful developments.
These two days of action strengthened unity among social and climate justice groups. Most importantly, they amplified the voices of those who are directly affected, reminding the country that the fight to protect the Wild Coast is a fight for dignity, justice, and the wellbeing of future generations.