The Who Stole Our Oceans campaign is an environmental and social justice campaign launched by The Green Connection in 2020, in a bid to protect our oceans for future generations, with a particular emphasis on opposing offshore oil and gas exploration, which is currently underway. We have a long history of working with fishing communities to help them recognize and fight for their rights, we have worked with partner organizations on various projects, such as Masifundise to ensure fisheries are ecologically sensitive in their activities, and WWF project for responsible fisheries. We as The Green Connection, have been active over time in a number of eco-justice struggles. A crucial consideration in South Africa’s just energy transition must be to interogate what benefits renewable energy projects bring in order to address the injusticies of the past.
The Green Connection's Who Stole Our Oceans campaign, aims to oppose oil and gas exploration of the South African coast. We want to protect the ocean for our future.
Who Stole Our Oceans Campaign Journey over the Past 5 Years
2025
Driving Energy Justice, Defending Coastal Communities and Celebrating 25 Years of Impact
GC continued to champion energy justice and community-led climate action while securing key legal victories against offshore fossil fuel expansion. We joined nationwide calls for a fair and transparent electricity pricing system, opposing Eskom’s proposed tariff restructuring, called for a just energy transition that prioritises people over profits, and pushed for stronger national climate commitments ahead of COP30 and the G20.
The year ended in celebration as GC marked 25 years of standing firmly at the intersection of community empowerment, environmental justice and good governance, proving that when people are informed and united, they can shape a future where both communities and ecosystems thrive.
2024
Securing Landmark Victories and Challenging New Fossil Fuel Frontiers
GC celebrated several major victories while continuing legal battles. We launched a new court challenge against TotalEnergies’ drilling authorisation and criticized government appointments that entrenched fossil fuels.
The year’s biggest achievement was TotalEnergies’ official withdrawal from two major exploration blocks. GC also welcomed the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Shell’s Wild Coast appeal.
In a landmark victory, Karpowership projects were declared “dead in the water.” The year concluded with ongoing legal challenges against seismic surveys and offshore projects, alongside protests at international energy events.
2023
Strategic Litigation and Policy Pressure for a Sustainable Energy Plan
The year was marked by strategic litigation and sustained opposition to fossil fuel expansion.
GC launched a legal challenge to compel the government to develop an Integrated Energy Plan, which resulted in the President finally activating the relevant law. They submitted multiple complaints and objections against TotalEnergies and Karpowership projects.
A major victory came when the environment department denied authorisation for Karpowership’s Coega project.
GC continued its court case against NERSA and joined global movements, ending the year with national actions and appeals against new oil and gas applications.
2022
Advancing Justice Through Legal Challenges and Public Advocacy
GC shifted to legal challenges and continued public campaigns. They condemned the government’s lack of transparency in securing support for oil and gas. A key victory was a court order halting Searcher’s seismic blasting.
GC launched a court case against the energy regulator NERSA for granting Karpowership licenses and welcomed news that no power purchase agreements were signed. Another major win came when the High Court ruled Shell’s Wild Coast exploration right unlawful.
The year ended with nationwide protests against new fossil fuel projects by TotalEnergies and others.
2021
Community-Led Resistance and Key Victories Against Fossil Fuels
The Green Connection (GC) focused on opposing offshore oil and gas exploration and controversial Karpowership projects. The year began with community workshops and saw early victories as several companies withdrew environmental applications due to pressure.
GC publicly criticized government addresses for neglecting ocean protection. Major actions included community protests, lodging formal complaints against projects like Karpowership, and celebrating a global court ruling against Shell.
The year ended with a significant win as civil society successfully halted Shell’s seismic survey off the Wild Coast.
