Katleho Shiburi

The mining of gold in Johannesburg has influenced the city's economic, social, and political histories. It has also left behind harmful waste along the Witwatersrand ridge. This mine waste includes waste dumps, slime dams, and other waste storage facilities, which continue to negatively impact the region and the health of communities residing near these waste storage facilities. Decades of mining have drastically altered the natural landscapes and continue to pose ongoing risks. Braamfischerville, an RDP settlement southwest of Johannesburg, is negatively impacted by a mine tailing that contaminates soil, air, and water, affecting the environment, residents, and livestock. The proposed intervention aims to repair the toxic landscape by establishing an experimental remediation centre that utilises hemp, a fibrous plant, to remediate the environment. Moreover, it will serve as a space for research, manufacturing, training and social interaction, thus positively contributing to the local community.