On Tuesday, we launched the #DivestCapeTown campaign, which calls on Cape Town to demonstrate its political leadership and commit to divesting from destructive fossil fuel companies. Here are the best bits of what happened:


As part of  Global Divestment Mobilisation, 350Africa and Fossil Free South Africa hosted an interactive discussion and poetry session on the role divestment occupies in the struggle for climate justice in  Cape Town and Africa.

David Le Page, co-founder and coordinator of Fossil Free South Africa, kicked things off talking about the history of the fossil fuel divestment movement. 

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. Guest speakers David le Page of Fossil Free South Africa (R), Rev Rachel Mash from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (C), Andile Mngoma from the UCT Divestment Campaign and Ahmed Mokgopo from 350Africa (R) at the 350Africa Global Divestment Mobilisation launch event held in Cape Town, South Africa on 9 May 2017. Picture: Jennifer Bruce/350Africa

Rev Rachel Mash from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa spoke about goals of the fossil fuel divestment campaign and the challenges the church has faced with the divestment movement – they’ve committed to moving their money, but they don’t know where to because there are no 100% fossil free options in South Africa financial markets.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. Guest speakers David le Page of Fossil Free South Africa (R), Rev Rachel Mash from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (C), and Ahmed Mokgopo from 350Africa  at the 350Africa Global Divestment Mobilisation launch event held in Cape Town, South Africa on 9 May 2017. Picture: Jennifer Bruce/350Africa

Andile Mngoma, student and a member of Fossil Free UCT(University of Cape Town) spoke about why he joined the fossil fuel divestment movement.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. Guest speakers Rev Rachel Mash from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (R), Andile Mngoma from the UCT Divestment Campaign (C) and Ahmed Mokgopo from 350Africa (L) at the 350Africa Global Divestment Mobilisation launch event held in Cape Town, South Africa on 9 May 2017. Picture: Jennifer Bruce/350Africa

Ahmed Mokgopo, 350Africa.org’s divestment campaigner closed the panel, by highlighting the need for residents to push their local councillors to pass a motion for divestment as a critical next step in the city campaign.  

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. Guest speakers Ahmed Mokgopo from 350Africa at the 350Africa Global Divestment Mobilisation launch event held in Cape Town, South Africa on 9 May 2017. Picture: Jennifer Bruce/350Africa

The event concluded with some poetry: 


Check out our global divestment mobilisation live coverage website  – and join the conversation on social media using #GDMAfrica2017 #fossilfree.

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