Although he has had many negative comebacks and circumstantial setbacks, Desmond D’sa did not allow these challenges to hinder him from standing up for his and other people’s constitutional rights or overcoming any hurdle he encountered.

This was revealed by D’sa, the 2014 Goldman Environmental Prize winner, on Wednesday, 2 September 2015, when the Durban University of Technology conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Health Sciences to him in honour of D’Sa’s role as a leading advocate and spokesman for social and environmental justice. The Honorary Doctorate was conferred to D’sa during the University’s September graduation at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus.
Accepting his Honorary Doctorate, D’sa shared how he had grown up in a large family where they had to make sacrifices and face many trying circumstances in order to survive. “Coming from a large family with my siblings, there were many sacrifices that we had to endure. One of them stood in the way of my education. However, that did not stop me from learning and gaining knowledge from all aspects of life; understanding many things in order to grow intellectually,” said D’sa.
As a young man, D’sa worked in industries of South Durban where he witnessed the disregard for people’s health and environment. D’sa’s career as an activist began with lobbying for parks and playgrounds to keep Wentworth children away from being gangsters and drugs. Through his lifetime D’sa has used his experiences even negativity towards him to build him and his fight for justice.
Speaking about his social and environmental activism, D’Sa said the Durban south industry, in which he worked for many years, introduced him to horrors of environmental injustices. “When I started my fight against it (industry), I was told by my bosses that I will not get anywhere. I was also told that I will be taking on giants and will not succeed. I was even told people like me were not needed but this did not stop me from fighting for environmental justice and people. There are many challenges that face us and that will face us in the future but that must not stop us. We must stand up for our rights and not give up in doing what we believe in,” said D’sa.
D’sa thanked his family, friends, comrades, academics and those who have been negative towards him. He encouraged students to rise above all odds to achieve what they believe in. “I am forever grateful to the Durban University of Technology, especially professors Faizal Bux and Monique Marks and their teams for nominating me and recognising the effort that goes into this type of work every day. For me, this is more than just a job. It’s my life,” he said.
– Noxolo Memela
Pictured: Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, DUT Registrar, officially confers Desmond D’sa, Durban based social and environmental health watchdog, with an Honorary Doctorate in Health Sciences in honour of his role as a leading advocate and spokesman for social and environmental justice.