On Monday 11 July 2022, Earthlife Africa received the sad news of the passing of comrade Judith Taylor – a passionate environmental activist and Life Member of Earthlife Africa. She is well-known in the eco-justice space as actively working to build a strong, inclusive movement. Members of the Board at pay tribute…
Simphiwe Nojiyeza says, “I have fond recollections of Judith as an activist and as a member of Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, which dates back in the early 1990s. We often met at congresses and interbranch council meetings, to name a few. In 2002, Judith was instrumental in the establishment of the South African Water Caucus (SAWC), the Energy Caucus, and the South African Climate Change Action Network (SACAN), as well as many other CSOs. She is also one of the founding members of the Provincial Steering Committee members of Environmental Justice Networking Forum (EJNF).
“I would therefore like to pay tribute to Judith Taylor, for her contributions to water and environmental justice, and for all her many other eco-justice endeavours. She was one of the most consistent and dedicated members of Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, and I have no doubt that, those who worked with her, will attest to my fond memories of this inspirational, unforgettable environmental and social justice activist,” says Nojiyeza.
Dorah Marema says, “This is sad news indeed. We take refuge in knowing that Judith lived a full life of passion and commitment to environmental justice. She fought fiercely till the end. She leaves a legacy many of us desire and the one we will cherish till the end of time. My deepest condolences to Rick and the family and Judith’s friends and to the environmental movement in SA at large.”
Members of the Board at Earthlife Africa Johannesburg say, “We wish to express our deepest condolences to Judith’s family and all the activists that she worked with. Our Board of Directors and other fraternal organisations will never be the same without her. We therefore need to pick up her spear and continue to be strategically green as the Earthlife Congress resolved in 1998. We must continue to fight for environmental justice, animal rights and brown issues. As the environmental justice movement, we are celebrating her contribution to the struggle for environmental and social justice.”