CHAPTER 4 PRESENTATION OF THE RESEARCH RESULTS
4.2 ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL QUESTION 2
4.2.3 Focus group discussion (Contextualisation)
welcomed researchers who intended to do studies regarding issues of pollution in the South Durban area using learners as well as educators.
• The parents of these learners served as watchdogs in the community as they always informed the SDCEA about the flares and explosions in the area so that the SDCEA could come and take samples. The parents were also engaged in workshops and public meetings where air quality and different programmes were discussed.
PARTICIPANT 1: PICTURE COLLECTION
Participant 1 took pictures of different things that contributed to the destruction of the ozone layer and caused global warming.
She took pictures of industries in the South Durban basin, the exhaust pipe of the car, as well as aerosol
sprays. The participant believes that people should drive less, industries
should improve their technology to lower or stop emissions in the industries.
She also suggested that the government should assist industries to fit air
generators that can purify air.
Figure 4.3 Aerosol sprays pollute Figure 4.2 Car exhausts emit gases
Figure 4.4 Industries pollute
PARTICIPANT 2: PICTURE COLLECTION
Participant 2 took pictures of industries very close to a residential area, a lifeless plant, as well as a picture of a house with
affected paint outside. Industries emit chemicals that affect both living as well as non-living things. The
plants and paint in nearby houses
in the area were affected by the chemicals from the industries in the
South Durban area. Figure 4.5 Pollution destroys plants in houses
Figure 4.7 Pollution destroy paints on houses
Figure 4.6 Polluting industries
Figure 4.10 This cricket player always stays indoors
Figure 4.9. Pollution causes cardio
PARTICIPANT 3: PICTURE COLLECTION
Participant 3 took pictures of the industries in the South Durban area, a cricket player, and the himself alone
in his room. The participant used to play cricket when he was young but, due to asthma attacks and other respiratory problems caused by the presence of the industries, he was always confined to his room during his spare time. His dream of becoming a professional
cricket player had faded. It was
revealed in the first focus group that most of the youngsters in the area did not participate in sports like other youngsters in other areas. They did not even get an opportunity to socialise with other people in sports. It was difficult for them to participate in sports due to the diseases associated with the respiratory system.
Figure 4.8 Emmisions of industries
PARTICIPANT 4: PICTURE COLLECTION
Participant 4 took pictures of tankers in the industries, the residential area at night, and industries causing water pollution. Huge tankers in the industries sometimes
explode and cause smoke and fire, which affects the lives of many people in the South Durban area as the situation triggers asthma attacks. These
explosions sometimes occur at night, so people in this area do not sleep peacefully because of the explosions and flares caused by the industries.
Industries also cause water pollution, which seriously affects aquatic ecosystems. The participant suggested that the government should fine the industries if they happened to pollute water so that they could stop water pollution.
Figure 4.12 Tankers of the industries which blow
Figure 4.11 At night people are scared explosions might occur
Figure 4.13 Water pollution
Figure .4.15 Cars also cause pollution
PARTICIPANT 5: PICTURE COLLECTION
Participant 5 took pictures of industries, a tanker, and a car. Industries emit dangerous gases that affect residents financially and emotionally. This is because many residents have respiratory problems and whenever they get asthma attacks or cancer, they have to pay the money from their own pockets. The industries do not assist them, even though the industries are thought to be the cause of their illnesses.
Tankers are used to store petrol in the refineries, and they sometimes explode and cause serious effects on the local residents. Cars used by the employees who work in the industries also contribute to air pollution.
Figure 4.14 Industries and tankers which caught fire
Figure 4.16 Industries emitting gases
PARTICIPANT 6: PICTURE COLLECTION
Participant 6 took pictures of industries, cars and the damaged environment.
Industries cause water pollution, which kills aquatic life and releases very bad odours during the
decomposition of dead aquatic organisms. Cars and trucks
transporting products to and from the industries also add to pollution in the South Durban area. Pollution results in acid rain, which destroys the environment. This is why the environment in the South Durban
area is damaged. The participant suggested that the government should teach the South Durban residents about the importance of the trees, they should also encourage the residents to plant more trees, especially during arbour day in order to obtain oxygen from the plants and also to make the environment beautiful.
Figure 4.18 Destruction of the environment
Figure 4.17 Industries in the SDB pollute water, destroying aquatic life
Figure 4.19 Car releasing gas
Figure 4.21 Industries emitting gases anytime of the day PARTICIPANT 7: PICTURE COLLECTION
Participant 7 took pictures of industries, houses close to the refineries, and the participant with his friends on the school grounds. Industries in the South Durban area emit dangerous gases directly to the residents because houses are very close to the industries. This emission affect residents. This is why the participant was unable to play with his friends during break like they normally did before.
This was due to the fact that most of them, including the participant, had problems with respiratory illnesses. The
participant felt that the people in power did not care about their lives as they violated their right to clean air.
Figure 4.20 Industry and the surrounding houses
Figure 4.22 Not active at school during break
Discussion
The data collected from the learner participants and the manager of the SDCEA shows that there was absolute unanimity regarding the fact that air pollution in the South Durban area was caused by industries, especially the two refineries and the nearby paper-mill. There was also unanimity regarding the fact that air pollution causes negative health effects such as respiratory problems, chest disorders, cancer, as well as leukaemia. In addition to the unanimity observed, there was additional unanimity among the learner participants and the manager of the SDCEA that air pollution affects the teaching and learning in schools around the South Durban area. This is due to learners and educators being constantly ill because of pollution in the area. It was also due to the fact that when explosions occurred, the schools that were close to the refineries had to close for a few days.
The participants expressed a sense of anger and frustration in the fact that their right to breathe clean air is violated by the refineries that cause air pollution. Some of the participants think that protests and negotiations with the refineries can be the only means of emancipation from their situation.