Tributes paid to environmental activist Desmond D’Sa after fatal Umzinto crash - IOL

The wreckage of the vehicle involved in the fatal crash on the R612 in Umzinto that claimed the lives of environmental activist Desmond D’Sa, 70, and two others on Thursday morning.

Residents from south of Durban and Desmond Dsa’s colleagues have paid tribute to the veteran activist, describing him as a committed champion of the people and a true leader who dedicated himself to serving his community.

D’Sa, 70, along with his son Raymond, and sister-in-law, died in a car crash at 6am on Thursday while travelling on the R612 from their home in Umzinto. 

The circumstances surrounding the crash are still being established.

It is alleged that the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck-tractor trailer before striking a crash barrier.

When independentonsaturday.co.za visited the scene, police had cordoned off the area as investigations continued.

Pieces of the vehicle were scattered near the crash site, alongside a jacket, a pillow and business cards believed to have come from the vehicle.

D’Sa was a founding member of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), where he was known for his environmental activism and commitment to fighting for communities affected by pollution and industrial activities.

His death marks the loss of one of South Africa’s prominent environmental justice campaigners, whose work brought international attention to the impact of industrial pollution on communities in Durban’s heavily industrialised south.

His activism focused on communities including Wentworth and Merebank, where residents have long raised concerns about living alongside major industrial operations, including factories and refineries.

Bongani Mthembu of South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), who had worked with D’Sa for over 18 years, described D’Sa as a great hero and fearless champion for environmental justice. 

"The passing of Desmond was a tragedy to us. Desmond was one of the leaders who received international recognition. He was a true and unbiased leader," he said. 

Mthembu emphasised that he learned lots of great things from D’Sa. 

"We worked very well together in the past 18 years and I will miss him a lot. I learned a lot from Desmond since he was my mentor and I feel the pain of his family," he said. 

Mthembe said he was grateful to D’Sa's family for sharing the great leader with the community. 

"I would like to convey my sincere condolences to his family and the public at large. Desmond did not only fought for Durban south residents, but he fought everyone in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa," he said. 

A jacket, vehicle debris and business cards scattered at the scene of the fatal crash on the R612 in Umzinto that claimed the lives of environmental activist Desmond D’Sa, 70, and two others on Thursday morning.

D’Sa’s work extended beyond South Africa’s borders, earning him international recognition for advocating for communities disproportionately affected by environmental pollution.

In 2014, D’Sa received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for his grassroots environmental activism and efforts to hold industrial operators accountable.

Merebank resident Percy Chetty, who had worked with D’Sa for 10 years, described him as a great leader.

"I worked with Desmond for many years and knew him very well. He really cared about the people's lives and environment. He loved his job and knew what to fight for," he said. 

Chetty recalled that D’Sa won the fight for fishermen to receive a fishing licence. 

"Desmond was loved and respected by many people as fought for the good cause. I will always miss him and I convey condolences to his family, colleagues and public," he said.

Another Durban south resident, David Naicker, said he will forever miss D’Sa.

"I used to call Desmond, the big man. I met him in 2000, since we had an issue with Sappi Saico as it was dumping refuse everywhere in the south of Durban. Desmond educated the company and local residents about the pollution. We learned a lot from him, which we are grateful for," he said.

Naicker said the D’Sa was gone but the fight against pollution continues. 

"We need to give Desmond some credits for the great work he had done in many communities. My condolences go straight to his family for giving us such a great leader. I am sorry to the family and public for their loss," he said.

Naicker described D’Sa as a pure activist. 

"I spoke with D’Sa last Friday and I told him to slow down on his work as he was ill. He told me that nobody was going to do the job as he did," he said.

Another resident, Lallie Chetty, described D’Sa as a great activist. 

"It was sad to hear about the passing of Desmond. Having known him for over 6 years, he was a very good person. He worked so hard to ensure people are safe from any pollution. I learned so many good things from him," she said. 

She conveyed her deepest condolences to D’Sa's family.