1 Introduction
We participated in the Africa Consultation on Mining, Land and Justice, convened by the Council for World Mission (CWM) and the World Council of Churches (WCC), held in Gaborone, Botswana, from 21 to 25 April 2026. We attended on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Mauritius (PCM).
This consultation brought together participants from across Africa to reflect on the interconnected challenges of extractive industries, land dispossession, ecological degradation, and social injustice. The gathering coincided with Earth Day, reinforcing the urgency of ecological responsibility and care for creation.
2 Context: Botswana
Botswana is currently at a critical historical juncture, following a significant political transition after decades of dominant-party governance. This shift coincides with an economic downturn linked to the global decline in the diamond market and increased competition from lab-grown diamonds.
Despite its classification as an upper-middle-income country, Botswana continues to face persistent inequalities. Approximately 19.7% of the population lives in poverty, and malnutrition remains a concern in marginalised communities.
3 Key Issues from the Consultation
The consultation highlighted the deep and growing intersections between extractive industries and:
Environmental impacts: water insecurity, degradation
Social impacts: displacement, inequality, food sovereignty
Governance issues: land rights, mineral law dominance
Gendered impacts: women disproportionately affected
Extractive industries were described as both “thirsty” and “polluting,” often diverting water resources and contaminating ecosystems. Mining activities frequently result in soil degradation, making agriculture unsustainable and forcing communities into dependency on imported food.
Displacement is a recurring consequence, often involving the loss of ancestral lands, cultural heritage, and spiritual connections to place. In many contexts, national laws prioritise mineral rights over traditional land ownership, leaving affected communities with limited legal recourse.
Women are disproportionately impacted, particularly in their roles related to water collection and subsistence farming. In some cases, security forces protecting corporate interests have been associated with human rights abuses.
4 Consultation Programme and Daily Proceedings
(a) Rev. Dr Rupert Hambira (b) Bishop Temple
4.1 Day 1: Earth Day
The opening plenary included welcome addresses from the Council for World Mission (CWM) and the World Council of Churches (WCC), coinciding with Earth Day, which reinforced the ecological urgency of the consultation. This was followed by a keynote by Rev. Dr Rupert Hambira on theological perspectives on mining, land, and justice. His presentation emphasised that land must not be understood merely as an economic resource, but as part of God’s creation, carrying spiritual, cultural, and communal significance. He highlighted that where injustice prevails, land ceases to be a source of blessing and instead becomes a site of suffering and inequality.
Bishop Temple (Sierra Leone: Mining) emphasised that land should not be treated as a commodity, calling for justice, accountability, and protection of affected communities.
Afternoon presentations on ICARRD+20 linked local struggles to global agrarian reform efforts, highlighting the need for systemic transformation and accountability.
The day concluded with a workshop on the role of faith leaders, where participants, including Hella Tangu and others, shared experiences of community engagement and advocacy for land and environmental justice across Africa.
A key outcome of this session was the recognition that statements alone are insufficient. Church and ecumenical bodies carry a responsibility to actively prepare and empower young people for leadership roles through mentorship, inclusion, and intentional capacity building.
4.2 Day 2: Morning Prayer and Theological Reflection
The Bible study on 1 Kings 21:1–16 reflected on the story of Naboth’s vineyard as a case of land injustice and abuse of power.
The passage shows King Ahab wanting Naboth’s vineyard, but Naboth refusing to sell it because it is his ancestral inheritance. In response, Queen Jezebel orchestrates a false accusation against Naboth, leading to his unjust death so that the king can take possession of the land.
The reflection highlighted themes of abuse of power, injustice in land acquisition, and the silencing of vulnerable people. Participants discussed how this mirrors modern struggles over land and mining, where powerful actors can dispossess communities through unfair or coercive means.
The study concluded by calling for ethical leadership, protection of community rights, and resistance to systems that enable land dispossession.
4.3 Case Study: Lentsweletau Village
During the consultation, participants visited the village of Lentsweletau, where we engaged directly with local communities affected by land and resource challenges. These interactions revealed a complex reality. While some community members acknowledged certain economic benefits associated with mining activities, there was also a strong concern regarding unfulfilled promises of development and long-term support. Many expressed that anticipated improvements in infrastructure, livelihoods, and social services had not materialised as expected.
(a) Opening session (b) Group discussions (c) Community Testimony
This situation highlights underlying inequalities in how extractive projects are communicated and implemented. It also raises important questions about awareness and understanding of the broader implications of land use. From a theological perspective, land is understood not only as an economic resource but as a sacred trust linked to identity, heritage, and community life. The limited integration of this perspective in development narratives further contributes to tensions between economic interests and community well-being.
5 Implications for Mauritius and Calls to Action
Although Mauritius is not a major mining country, similar dynamics of extraction are visible through land use change, coastal development, and environmental pressure. The consultation therefore calls for renewed attention to ecological justice in the Mauritian context. Land formerly used for agriculture, particularly sugar estates, is increasingly converted into high-end residential and tourism developments. This reduces local food production capacity and deepens inequalities in access to land. Mauritius also faces growing water stress, with unequal distribution during periods of drought affecting vulnerable communities more severely than affluent areas. Food security remains a major concern, with approximately 75–80% of food being imported. The continued loss of agricultural land increases dependency and contributes to public health challenges linked to processed food consumption. In parallel, coastal and marine ecosystems are under pressure from development activities, including lagoon modification and coastal construction, threatening coral reefs, mangroves, and biodiversity. The 2020 oil spill further exposed the fragility of Mauritius’ marine environment.
Calls to Action for the Presbyterian Church of Mauritius
The consultation urges the Presbyterian Church of Mauritius (PCM) to respond through concrete and transformative actions:
Integrate ecological and land justice into worship, preaching, and youth formation, especially through creation-focused liturgical practices and education.
Conduct audits of church-owned land and actively repurpose suitable plots for sustainable uses, including community food gardens, agroecology projects, and biodiversity restoration.
Develop participatory education programmes, including creative tools such as Forum Theatre, to empower communities—particularly in coastal and vulnerable regions—to defend their land, water, and environmental rights.
Establish youth-led ecological initiatives within churches, enabling young people to engage in practical sustainability actions such as gardening, waste reduction, and environmental awareness campaigns.
Strengthen regional solidarity with African churches and movements working on land, mining, and ecological justice.
Build partnerships with civil society organisations engaged in environmental protection and social justice advocacy in Mauritius.
6 Conclusion
This consultation has shown that ecological injustice is not an abstract or distant concern, but a lived reality in Mauritius, visible in patterns of land conversion, environmental degradation, and unequal access to natural resources. These dynamics call for urgent moral and theological reflection, but also for concrete action.
The Church cannot remain a passive observer. It is called to a prophetic witness that challenges systems of exclusion, stands alongside vulnerable communities, and actively participates in the healing and protection of creation. Faith, in this context, must be expressed through justice, stewardship, and solidarity.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). This affirmation is not only spiritual, but also ethical: it demands that land and nature be treated as a shared trust rather than a commodity for private accumulation.
Therefore, this moment requires more than reflection—it requires transformation. A renewed commitment is needed from faith communities, institutions, and individuals to reimagine how land is used, how resources are shared, and how justice is pursued for present and future generations.
Kind regards and blessings,
Ms. Queency Lecoq
Mr. Eddy Rocves