To Hell with Shell: Why South Africans Must Say No to Offshore Drilling
- weissangie121
- Aug 7
- 5 min read
South Africa stands at a crossroads. On one side, we have the promise of energy security and economic growth, dangled by oil giants like Shell under the blessing of our African Energy Chamber (AEC). On the other hand, we face the existential threat to the coastal communities on South Africa’s west coast, destruction of fragile marine ecosystems, and a documented legacy of Shell’s environmental devastation. Shell’s recent green light to drill five deepwater wells between Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape and Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape may be hailed by some as progress—but for many South Africans who live in the area, it’s a dangerous step towards coastal degradation and damage to their homes.
🛢️ The Illusion of Energy Security
Shell’s campaign, backed by the African Energy Chamber (AEC), paints offshore drilling as a solution to South Africa’s energy crisis. The narrative is seductive: reduce dependence on foreign oil, create jobs, and unlock economic growth. But beneath the surface, this promise is riddled with lies.
South Africa’s energy crisis is real—but oil exploration is not the right answer. Our country has abundant renewable resources, particularly solar and wind, which remain underused. Investing in fossil fuels now locks us into outdated infrastructure and delays the progress of the transition to clean energy. Worse, it risks entrenching the very corruption and inefficiency that have plagued our energy sector for decades.
🐋 Environmental Devastation: Lessons from the Niger
Delta
Shell’s track record of drilling, destroying and leaving speaks volumes. In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, Shell’s operations have left a trail of destruction: oil spills, gas flaring, and poisoned water sources. Natural biodiversity has collapsed, and communities have been robbed of their livelihoods. Shell’s use of dummy companies to obscure ownership and dodge accountability for the environmental clean-up and paying damages to the people it robbed of their livelihood only deepens the injustice.
South Africans must ask: if Shell couldn’t protect the Niger Delta from environmental collapse, why should we trust them with our coast?
🌍 The West Coast at Risk from Offshore Drilling
The Northern Cape Ultra Deep Block in the Orange Basin may be rich in oil, but it’s also home to delicate marine ecosystems. Seismic blasting—used to locate oil deposits—will disrupt whale migration, deplete fish stocks, and threaten tourism. Towns like Port Nolloth, Velddrif, Langebaan, and Saldanha Bay rely on fishing and eco-tourism. Offshore drilling jeopardises not just the environment, but entire local economies.
If we consider the past, other companies like Total Energies have already tried to set up drilling rigs at Brulpadda and Luiperd in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Later, they concluded that developing these sites wouldn’t be commercially viable. So why gamble again—especially when the stakes include our oceans and people?
🎥 SPOILED: A David and Goliath Battle for Our
Oceans
The short film SPOILED by WILDTRUST explains the heart of this struggle. This new agreement given to Shell puts 90% of South Africa’s ocean territory at risk. The film follows small-scale fishers, scientists, and activists as they rise to defend Port Nolloth and their livelihoods and ecosystems. It’s a modern-day David and Goliath story, where ordinary South Africans stand up to multinational oil giants.
The film doesn’t just inform—it inspires. It shows how communities are not passive victims but active defenders of their heritage. Their resistance is rooted in love for the ocean, cultural identity, and a deep understanding of what’s truly at stake. SPOILED reminds us that this fight is not just political—it’s personal. Click on the video below to see for yourself.
⚖️ Community Voices: Silenced and Sidelined
Shell’s exploration rights were granted with minimal consultation, again. They tried similar tricks on the Wild Coast in the past, where the communities successfully challenged Shell in court, arguing that their cultural and environmental concerns were ignored. Now, similar patterns are emerging on the West Coast.
Groups like The Green Connection and Natural Justice have rallied to represent small-scale fishers and coastal residents. Their message is clear: consultation must be meaningful, not a box-ticking exercise. Especially when Shell’s offshore drilling plans threaten traditional livelihoods, people’s spiritual connections to the sea, and the constitutional rights of affected communities.
🧑⚖️ Legal Battles and Corporate Secrecy Behind
Offshore Drilling Deals
Shell’s fragmented corporate structure makes legal accountability nearly impossible. Their assets are spread through many dummy companies, which are designed to shield the parent corporation from liability, complicating efforts to enforce environmental regulations.
According to a 2021 Dutch court ruling, Shell is supposed to cut their fossil fuel emissions by 45% by 2030—but enforcement of this court order remains elusive, and Shell is not divesting from oil exploration or considering investing in alternative sources of energy. They continue to live by their motto: “Drill, baby drill for oil!”
South Africa’s legal system is now facing similar cases against Shell. The Western Cape High Court recently heard protests from coastal communities situated along the coast from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas, demanding better environmental safeguards. The fight is far from over.
🔥 Corruption and Cronyism: The Mantashe
Connection
The approval of Shell’s drilling campaign cannot be divorced from South Africa’s broader energy politics. Minister Gwede Mantashe, a key figure in granting exploration rights, faces serious allegations of corruption. Leaked documents reveal offshore accounts, irregular payments, and ties to companies repeatedly implicated in shady deals.
The Karpowership scandal—where emergency power contracts were allegedly awarded through corrupt channels—exposes the rot at the heart of our energy sector. Mantashe’s involvement in this speedy and secretive deal raises questions about whether Shell’s approval was truly in the public interest, or just another chapter in South Africa’s energy mafia saga.
🧭 Jobs vs. Justice: A False Choice
Shell promises to bring jobs, bursaries, and training programs in exchange for access to our natural resources. But what they don’t tell us is that many of these roles are short-term, low-skilled, or outsourced. Communities argue that the environmental risks far outweigh the economic gains.
Retail franchising and youth development sound good on paper—but they don’t compensate for the loss of fish stocks, tourism revenue, or cultural heritage.
Economic development must be inclusive and sustainable. It must prioritise long-term community well-being over short-term corporate profits. Shell’s development model fails this test.
📢 Protest and Resistance: A Growing Movement
“To Hell with Shell” has become more than a slogan—it’s a rallying cry. Demonstrations in Cape Town have drawn national attention. Civil society is mobilising, demanding transparency, accountability, and environmental justice.
The film SPOILED has helped galvanise this movement, giving voice to those often ignored in boardrooms and policy briefs. It’s a reminder that resistance is not futile—it’s necessary.
International initiatives like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) offer hope, but real change requires grassroots pressure. South Africans must stand together to protect our coast, our communities, and our future.
🌱 A Better Path Forward
South Africa doesn’t need more oil rigs—we need bold investment in renewables. Our solar potential is among the highest in the world. Wind farms, community-owned energy projects, and green infrastructure can create jobs without destroying ecosystems.
We must also reform our energy governance. Corrupt officials must be held accountable. Consultation must be genuine. And corporate secrecy must be dismantled.
💬 Final Thoughts: The Power of Collective Action
Shell’s offshore drilling campaign is not inevitable. It’s a choice—a choice that South Africans can reject. Coastal communities have already shown their strength in court. Activists are raising their voices. Now, it’s time for the rest of us to join them.
Watch SPOILED. Share it. Talk about it—and most importantly—act.
Say no to offshore drilling. Say yes to environmental justice, community empowerment, and a sustainable future.
📖 Sources:
Wildtrust & The Green Connection. (2025). SPOILED – Official Film. TygerBurger Feature and YouTube Premiere.
African Energy Chamber. (2025, July 11). A Step Towards Energy Security: Shell Gets Greenlight to Drill Offshore South Africa. energychamber.org.
Daily Maverick & Engineering News. (2024, July 29). TotalEnergies exits Brulpadda and Luiperd gas finds, citing commercial unviability. Search summary.
IOL Business Report. (2025, August 1). HCI’s Copelyn: We are moving ahead with the Brulpadda and Luiperd offshore gas fields. iol.co.za.
Wikipedia contributors. (2025). Velddrif. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velddrif.
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