The Durban University of Technology will confer an Honorary Doctor of Technology degree in Health Sciences to renowned environmental justice activist, Bobby Peek, for his demonstration of exemplary leadership over the years in bringing to the fore environmental justice issues and its associated public health impacts at both local, national and international levels.

Peek will receive this award on Wednesday 16 April 2014, at 15h00, during the Faculty of Health Sciences graduation ceremony at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre on DUT’s Steve Biko Campus in Durban.

Peek is the Director of environmental justice NGO groundWork (gW), which works primarily in South Africa and increasingly, in Southern Africa. He co-founded the organisation in June 1999 and it has become a respected, effective and high-functioning organisation which also assists communities to understand the health impact of environmental pollution.

Peek completed his BA Honours in Geography in 1993 at the former University of Durban-Westville (now UKZN). In 1995, he joined the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) as an Assistant Researcher where he undertook research on the State of the Environment: Durban, focusing on the development of the social and environmental movement in a post-apartheid South Africa in a global context.

In 1996, he co-founded the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), an environmental justice organisation which is one a few environmental justice community based networks in South Africa that has a global presence. During the same year, Peek also joined the Environmental Justice Networking Forum (EJNF) as Project Co-ordinator on the Thor Commission of Enquiry, investigating the environmental and human rights abuses by Thor Chemicals on the local population and workforce at the Thor plant in Cato Ridge.

A recipient of the prestigious Goldman Foundation Environmental Prize, Peek has been invited to present papers in local, government and international forums. He also serves on the Southern African Global Green Grants Board.

“DUT recognises these individuals for the outstanding contribution they have made to society through their respective accomplishments. We are indeed honoured that they have accepted the award from the University and look forward to continued involvement by these distinguished individuals in the work of the DUT,” said Dr Thiru Pillay, DUT Registrar (Acting).

– Sinegugu Ndlovu

Pictured: Bobby Peek