Introduction,
A Kenyan proverb, regularly quoted by environmentalists states that: The world was not given to us by our parents, it was lent to us by our children. This means that all nations must strive for environmental sustainability in order for future generations to inherit a well preserved earth.
Environment is central to economic and social development, thus the emphasis of environmental sustainability and equitable transition to low carbon economy in the National Development Plan. Our policies promote community based environmental management which is an enabler towards sustainability. I am proud to report about the community based environmental programmes we have implemented last year.
Access and Benefit Sharing
South Africa is the 12th country in the world to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on Access Benefit Sharing. This ratification is a major step towards the sustainable development of the country’s green economy. It is also an indication of our commitment to the green economy, sustainable development and the use of our country’s natural resources for economic growth.
In terms of this Protocol, local benefit through capacity building, creation of community-based enterprise development and the awarding of bursaries to young people to further their education in the biodiversity conservation field. To date, 10 bio-prospecting permits have been issued.
During the 7th Pan-African Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) workshop held in Limpopo, we showcased a community based project which produces mosquito-repellent candles from the Fever Tree (Lippia javanica). This is our partnership project between our department, CSIR, National Traditional Healers, Maswanganyi and Mabunda communities in Giyani. A licensing agreement with Zollhaus International (Pty) Ltd to market the mosquito repellent candles, both nationally and internationally has been concluded.
The South African San Council and the Nama communities at Paulshoek and Nourivier in the Northern Cape benefited through partnership with HGH Pharmaceuticals on the local and international research on the Kanna (Sceletium tortosium) plant which is a mood enhancer product branded Elev8 in South Africa and Zembrin in the USA. We will continue to explore partnerships with the private sector.
Transformation in protected areas
The People and Parks continues to benefit local communities through access and benefit sharing such as harvesting of natural resources, access to graves, free access to protected areas for educational purposes, monetary pay-outs to claimants which result in reducing poverty eradication.
Through this programme we:
- Launched the national co-management framework which enables innovative governance by conservation authorities and local communities, enables active participation and decision making in the management of protected areas.
- Facilitated co-management agreements with the Nwanedi land claimants in Limpopo and the Songimvelo Community in Mpumalanga.
- Established business linkages to support community initiatives adjacent to protected areas and also encourage communities to establish cooperatives/small businesses to enable them to tender for jobs within protected areas.
- Procured goods and services amounting to R30 million from SMME’s within the 30 protected areas.
- 5852 jobs were created and 241 SMMEs were developed by Provinces and Management Authorities through funding obtained from Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme.
- 509 people from 15 protected areas benefited in the capacity building on the use of natural resources
The fifth People and Parks conference held in September underscored the importance of community involvement, frameworks and coordination structures in ensuring sustainability of the programme and enhancing rural development and green economy efforts.
The conference deliberated on the issue of resolving land claims backlog and outlining the areas of co-operation between government and communities. The department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) has developed programme of action with specific time on settlement of land claims. The Chief Land Claims Commission committed to finalise five claims settlement in each province for 2013/14 financial year.
During this financial year we will capacitate 400 beneficiaries on the use of natural resources and Youth, women and people with disabilities. We will also continue promoting access for learners especially from disadvantaged background. 5 000 learners will be offered opportunity to access our National Parks.
Wetlands Programme
According to the National Biodiversity Assessment 2012, wetlands are the most threatened ecosystems in South Africa, 48% of wetlands are critically endangered and only 18% are protected This means that we need to make more effort in the conservation of our wetlands. However we are making remarkable progress.
UMngeni Vlei Nature Reserve is the 21st Wetland of International Importance as it has been designated a Ramsar site. It protects a significant portion of uMngeni River catchment area in KZN A total of R530 million has been invested in the rehabilitation of 906 wetlands. To date, the programme has provided 12 848 employment opportunities.
This year we celebrated the World Wetlands Day with the Kareedouw community in the Koukamma Local Municipality. We chose the Kromme River catchment which experienced dramatic floods in 2006 which resulted in heavy loss of life and property. Ten million has been invested to rehabilitation of this wetland. A total of 60 local people were employed. The Kromme River catchment supplies about 40% of Port Elizabeth’s water, via the Churchill Dam.
Game farming
Last year we held the first Hunting Indaba which was held in October 2012. An action plan was adopted which includes specific actions aimed at addressing four thematic areas, namely ecological impacts and benefits; economic impacts and benefits; community involvement and transformation; and legislative provisions.
The department is planning to host an annual Hunting Indaba as a way of engaging with key stakeholders in formulating a clear policy for the hunting sector. We will embark on a dedicated programme to provide support to the hunting and bio-prospecting industries to promote South Africa as the destination of choice for hunting, and as a mega diverse country that utilises its natural capital wisely. South Africa will host the first African Parliamentarian Dialogue on trade issues in biodiversity resources.
Working for Water – Eco Furniture Factory
Invasive alien species are a threat to our water resources, however we reuse them as raw materials to manufacture eco coffins, school desks, garden benches, chess tables, bedroom furniture, walking sticks etc.
To date we have established 3 eco factories which created a total of 493 jobs of which 52% is women and 37% youth. 250 desks from these factories were handed over to Boitumelo High School in Ficksburg Free State and another 250 to Maatla Primary School in Hoedspruit, Limpopo. We will establish 18 eco factories within 3 years which will create 160 jobs opportunities per factory.
Greening and open space management
Through our greening and open space management whose main purpose is to reverse environmental degradation, prevent illegal dumping as well as creation of recreational spaces for our communities whilst creating job and training opportunities. Recently we handed over the R14 million Eco-Parks in Mdantsane and Duncan village to Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. One hundred and eighty six job opportunities were created during the implementation of this project.
Waste Management
We funded the Domestic Waste Collection Pilot Project in Mahikeng Local Municipality. The objectives of this Pilot Project are to reduce waste backlog, create employment opportunities and encourage the implementation of the 3 Rs namely; reduction, reuse and recycling.
Five waste collection trucks were procured, five contractors and 70 workers were appointed. Training was provided to both contractors and workers in order to capacitate them in areas of waste management and business management.
The waste collection service to 31 856 households has been carried out successfully. Furthermore through our working on waste programme we will continue to provide support to municipalities through construction of waste buy-back centres, material recovery facilities and other activities.
The Minister will launch ‘Youth Jobs in Waste project this year. This initiative will assist municipalities in delivering of efficient and effective waste services. The first phase will be implemented in Free State, North West, Kwazulu Natal, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, creating approximately 1000 jobs for unemployed youth. During women’s month we will host the Women Mayor’s Dialogue aimed at encouraging them to champion waste management in their respective municipalities.
Marine Protected Areas
In order to protect our vulnerable coastline, we developed the Ocean Management Strategy developed to be implemented this year. South Africa declared the Prince Edward Islands a Marine Protected Area which makes the Islands, the first South African offshore MPA which contributing significantly to global initiatives towards protection of offshore and deep ocean areas.
The Prince Edward Islands MPA is intended to contribute to the protection of unique species, habitats and ecosystem processes. It will also be a scientific reference point for future management of the area including impact of climate change on the whole Southern Ocean. It will also contribute to integrated and ecologically sustainable management of marine resources of the area.
Weather Service
In January 2013, Vhembe district and north western parts of the Limpopo province, as well as parts of Mpumalanga were mostly affected by floods which swept away bridges, roads and fertile agricultural soil and also caused deaths and injuries in the areas. The Vhembe district was declared a disaster area.
Together with the South African Weather Service, we embarked on weather awareness road show. We also visited the Maluleke, Ramudzuli and Makhubele families in Mphego village who were left destitute by the catastrophic flooding. This road show was also rolled out in the Northern Cape. We will also visit Mpumalanga and other areas that are prone to weather disasters.
Public awareness and education
We handed over the R28.5 million Environmental Science Education Centre to the University of Limpopo which will offer environmental education and research to the students and surrounding communities. Jobs for local people were created during the implementation of this project.
Through the Kids and Parks programme a total number of 4 159 learners and 168 educators were enabled to have access to national parks. Another 5 000 learners have been targeted for the 2013/14 financial year.
The school based environmental education programme, implemented in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education continues. One hundred and fifty educators from KZN, Free State, Limpopo and North West benefitted on the accredited training through Fundisa for Change.
In this current financial year we will amend the existing educational resource materials to include water and environment entirely and to ensure alignment with the curriculum. A task team composed of senior officials from departments of Water, Environment and Basic Education has been established to execute this task.
Women in Environment
Last year we hosted the women in environment conference. In this current financial year we will develop the sector gender framework and programme of action
Air Quality
Last year we hosted the 7th annual Air quality Lekgotla in Rustenburg. The Lekgotla provides air quality officials from all spheres of government an opportunity to review the programme of action and share experiences. It also strengthens cooperation and collaboration between the three spheres of government (national, provincial and municipal) to improve the quality of air in the country.
We also launched the Waterberg-Bojanala Air Priority Area (WBPA) and the Waterberg-Bojanala Monitoring Network. The Waterberg-Bojanala Monitoring Network comprises three air quality monitoring stations bought by the Department of Environmental Affairs for the Priority Area in order to monitor and report on the status of air in the WBPA. The stations are situated in Lephalale, Thabazimbi and Mokopane. Community awareness programmes form part of this implementation, for example, the Clean Fires Campaign commonly known as Basa Nje Ngomagogo.
We will host 8th Annual Air Quality Governance Lekgotla to be held in Western Cape from 30 September - 02 October 2013 under the theme “Towards the First Decade of Unified and Sustainable Air Quality Governance in South Africa”
Conclusion
We are presenting this budget vote few days before Environmental Month under the theme: Think, Eat, Save. Our plan is intact, we will embark on various activities as we celebrate Environmental Month.
I wish to thank our Minister for providing exceptional leadership, chairperson and honourable members of the Portfolio Committee for the guidance in ensuring that we deliver on the mandate entrusted to us.
A big thanks to the Director-General and her team for the sterling work, the awards you received last year is recognition of your hard work. We are proud of you. I also want to thank our public entities, sister departments and all sector stakeholders for their active participation on environmental issues and unconditional support.
Thank you!
For media queries:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
