Today, the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi officially led the World Oceans Day celebrations in Port Elizabeth.
The Department of Environmental Affairs celebrated World Oceans Day 2010 in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. This year's theme is: "Our Oceans: Opportunities and Challenges".
The observance of World Oceans Day in South Africa provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness about the opportunities, in terms of services and goods that our oceans present to us as a nation.
The day provides an opportunity to highlight the considerable challenges the country faces in maintaining the oceans capacity to regulate the global climate, supply essential ecosystem services and provide sustainable livelihoods and safe recreation.
Speaking at the World Oceans Day, Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi encouraged the learners to seize the moment by becoming ambassadors of the environment and pursue careers in the oceans sector.
She further stated that the Department of Environmental Affairs and the university are discussing possible collaborations in research of the marine, coastal and ocean environment whereby she presented a draft memorandum of understanding to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Derrick Swartz.
Media enquiries:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
Tel: 021 819 2423
E-mail: znqayi@environment.gov.za
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 076 350 6386
Tel: 012 336 7902
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
8 June 2010
