Programme Director
District Mayor who is unwell represented by Councillor Nduku
Honourable Mayor of King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality
Councillor Siyakholwa Mlamli
Honourable Mayor of Mhlontlo
Traditional leaders present
The school principal
The DG, advisors and all officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs
The Board and CEO of the South African Weather Services
Our partners from SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultancy Ltd and the Eskom foundation
Ladies and gentlemen
It is most gratifying to dedicate the launch of the Mthatha, South African Weather Service radar system to none other than the icon of our struggle for liberation, Tata Nelson Mandela. It is equally instructive to note that we are holding this launch on the eve of his birthday at his birthplace, Mthatha, nogal.
Madiba has enriched our lives with his profound wisdom and courage of his conviction. Allow me, programme director, to recall his apt exhortation which continues to influence our decision-making including the location of this sophisticated radar system in Mthatha as well as the improvements effected at Highbury Junior Secondary School. I also hope that this will be just a beginning of a project that will result in Highbury High School, a high school with two very important things: a laboratory and library.
Tata Mandela teaches us and I quote, “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives will go a long way in making our world a better place.” Kindly join me in wishing Tata Mandela good health and a happy birthday in achieving the milestone and ripe age of 92 years in two days’ time.
When we delivered our budget vote speech in Parliament this year, we committed to dedicate the work of our department to the rich legacy of Tata Mandela. We are deeply committed to enhance his rich legacy; hence today we are also using this occasion to hand over a project sponsored by the South African Weather Service to refurbish the Highbury Junior Secondary School.
This launch of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) Mthatha Radar System coincides with their celebration of 150 years of service to South Africans that will officially be celebrated on 26 October 2010. SAWS has over the past 150 years built up a reputation as a trusted provider of weather and climate information, as well as being the custodian of the country’s climate data.
Today’s launch is a sequel to the launch we had in March this year of state of the art radar network in Pretoria. These launches are part of government’s investment in the upgrading of the South African Weather Service new weather radar network as part of government’s infrastructure investment to upgrade and replace current weather radars that are over 30 years old.
We have placed at SAWS’ disposal about R240 million to enable it to upgrade its radar system network and today’s launch is part of that package. This infrastructure will not only assist to position the weather service to be a thought leader in meteorological science and technological development in our country but also share best practices with our neighbours.
Government views SAWS as a strategic asset especially given the lurking threat of climate change, that brings with it inclement weather conditions. To invest in an infrastructure that warns of any impending natural disaster or dramatic weather changes as this radar does, is an investment by government towards climate change adaptation. When communities are warned in good time about looming disasters, steps can be taken to minimise possible loss of life and property.
It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of global natural disasters are related to severe weather and climate events. In South Africa 90 percent of our natural disasters are related to severe weather and climate events. These disasters have serious impacts on the well-being of people, the economy and sustainable development. Tornadoes, flooding, droughts are climate vagaries that are well-known in our areas, as such their frequency are expected to increase as a result of climate change.
The new weather radars will play a vital role in enhancing adaptation tools and products such as the severe weather forecast project and the flash flood guidance system that minimise loss of life and damage to property in events of severe weather.
In Africa where agriculture forms a large portion of the national GDP, the effects of climate change will inevitably be unkind and threaten to reverse the little gains we have made and also threaten food security. It is estimated that by 2080, about 70 million people and up to 30 percent of Africa's coastal infrastructure could face the risk of coastal flooding because of sea level rise.
The most affected are the poor and those in the rural areas despite the fact that they historically, did not contribute significantly to the challenge.
This new system will not only enable SAWS to reduce disaster risks, but it will also enable us to capture more accurate information in the 150 year old climate data base and also package information for a multiple number of weather and climate users. This will enable SAWS to provide now-casting information on flash floods and tornadoes and we all know that tornadoes occur frequently in this area. With this information we will be able to ensure that we alert our communities of the expected changes in weather conditions, real-time.
Programme Director, as part of its social development mandate and with the assistance and cooperation of community leaders, SAWS has also embarked on the upgrading of the Highbury Junior Secondary School in Mthatha. I am humbled by this intervention by SAWS to invest in the education of our people.
With the support of SAWS staff in Mthatha, East London and Port Elizabeth, as well as a subcontractor, SAWS completely refurbished the two existing classroom blocks. SAWS also sourced additional funding to build an additional classroom and ablution facilities, while making use of labour from the local community. Even though SAWS is in the business of meteorology, it can never be separated from its responsibilities to the nation in helping to nurture future generations.
I was glad to hear that the Mthatha radar is the only SAWS radar site that has never been vandalised, and I want to commend the community for this remarkable achievement. As members of the community are the source of security and maintenance of the radar site, I am proud to note that this has led to the creation of four sustainable jobs and the generation of consistent income for the community.
Working together, I believe we can do more for the betterment of our people’s lives and ensure that the aspirations of Tata Mandela for a better South Africa are achieved.
Enkosi!
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs
