The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, will launch the Masibekela Recreational Park in Masibekela Village, Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga on Tuesday, 28 October 2014.
The Masibekela Recreational Project falls within the Greening & Open Space Management focus area. The objective of open space management amongst other things is to establish eco-friendly open spaces that are safe, attractively designed, well managed for the benefit of all our communities as well as promoting maximum use of alternative energy sources, green infrastructure and ecosystem services as well as ensuring that children and young people enjoy the play and leisure.
The project has created work opportunities for 45 local people, amongst the employed 23 were women, 18 were youth and one person living with disability. The beneficiaries of the project have received training opportunities equipping them with the necessary skills that will enable them to find employment in other employment opportunities on exit from the projects. Moreover the project has contributed to the development of local small business enterprises. Such small businesses have been used in providing services in provision of protective clothing, provision of training, materials and equipment.
The Department of Environmenal Affairs (DEA) through its Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) is funding the implementation of environmental projects in Mpumalanga Province aimed at the alleviation of poverty and improvement of lives while protecting the natural resources. These projects are classified according to seven focus areas which are working on waste, working for the coast, working for land, People and Parks, Wildlife Economy, Youth Environmental Services, and Greening & Open Space Management. They work to the employment prescripts of Government ’s Expanded Public Works Programmes, using labour-intensive methods which target the unemployed, and opportunities for youth, women, people with disabilities and Small to Medium Size Enterprises (SMMEs).
Members of the media are invited to attend the event and there will be interview and photo opportunities.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: 28 October 2014
Venue: Masibekela Recreational Park, Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga
Time: 10h00
To RSVP, contact:
Sipho Mawoko
Tel: 021 441 2788
E-mail: smawoko@environment.gov.za
Tshego Letshwiti
Tel: 021 405 9439
Cell: 076 307 9634
E-mail: tletshwiti@environment.gov.za
For media enquiries, contact:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
