Minister Nhleko congratulates newly inaugurated SACLAP Board
The South African Council for the Land Architecture Profession (SACLAP) Board led by South Africa’s first black landscape architect Thabo Munyai who was elected to serve as its President offers an opportunity for transformation of the sector to be deepened, Public Works Minister, Nkosinathi Nhleko said in congratulating the new board on Wednesday.
“”Transformation has to be deliberate and intentional therefore no effort must be spared to ensure that programmes to bring more youth and women from historically disadvantaged communities into the sector are accelerated. They should be given opportunities to pursue studies in landscape architecture and be involved in the sector not as labourers or gardeners but as owners of landscape enterprises,” said Minister Nhleko.
Nhleko expressed hope that as a product of the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) skills pipeline strategy and empowerment programme, the newly elected SACLAP President and his council will contribute towards meaningful transformation.
Munyai had in his speech delivered as acting President at the inauguration ceremony for the new council and dissolution of the outgoing council identified transformation of the value chain within the profession, visibility and relevance of the land architecture in business, private and public, capacity building programmes as part of the Continued Professional Development, the need to enhance sustainable investment in the graduate capital and driving continued support as mammoth tasks that lie ahead for the new council.
He highlighted among other milestones for the outgoing council the appointment of permanent SACLAP staff, the inclusion of additional categories such as Landscape Managers, the successful accreditation of University of Cape Town (UCT) and Cape Town University of Technology (CTUT) and fostered relationship with accredited institutions.
He said that government has an important role to play in bringing the necessary changes of transformation in the built environment sector as well as to ensure the understanding of the profession by other government structures.
“This indeed is great to the superlative degree, having graduated in 2001 as the first black landscape architect with a Junior degree at Tuks, after being funded by my government through public works and as a pioneer in this unique and profound and yet relevant profession. I feel proud and blessed,” said the 38 year-old Bachelors of Science (Bsc) in Land Architecture holder after he was re-elected to serve another four year term.
Munyai said that he is energized and ready to promote the architecture profession, to transform their course and to encourage inclusion of previously disadvantaged individuals
“We are focused, determined and relevant, the world and nature is ready for us, God is ready for us. We are the only science that seeks to organize what nature has already perfected,” he said further.
Deputy Director General (DDG) for Intergovernmental Relations in the Department of Public Works, Butcher Matutle encouraged council to take its work institutions of learning starting with where it matters most.
Other members of the new council are Deputy President Frans van Wyk, Dr Francis Nzama, Ms Ralene Fischer, Gregory Mofokeng, Willie Mothowamodimo, Ms Elizabeth Van Staden and Edward Hutamo.
For more information contact:
Lesiba Kgwele, Ministerial Spokesperson
Cell: 082 803 5133
Email: Lesiba.Kgwele@dpw.gov.za
