2009 budget speech vote for North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation,

Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature
Honourable Premier of the North West Province, Mme Maureen Modiselle
My colleagues in the provincial executive committee
All members of the provincial legislature
Chairperson and Members of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Conservation Environment and Rural Development
Leaders of political parties in the North West Province
Representatives of organised agricultural and environmental structures
Dikgosi tsa rona tse di tlotlegang
Government officials
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Honourable speaker, in his inaugural speech as the third democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma said that delivery by his administration is a priority. President Zuma said, "The dreams and hopes of all the people of our country must be fulfilled. Everything we do must contribute in a direct and meaningful way to the improvement of the lives of our people."

This call, honourable speaker, directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Rural Development to a clause in the Freedom Charter that tells of a continuing pledge to build a society that is more equal and prosperous.

Prophetically, the Freedom Charter declared that food shall be plentiful and no-one shall go hungry. The latter is to some extent the ultimate reason why this department exists. Our mandate is very clear; to fight poverty and ensure that the millennium goal of halving poverty by 2014 is achieved.

To ensure a realistic approach to this constitutional pledge, the ruling party called upon us to embark on an integrated programme of rural development, land reform and agrarian change.

I can say with all certainty that the North West province is already in the process of making this clarion call a reality. This budget vote will as a result, focus on how this call will be rolled out.

Honourable speaker, agriculture and environment are two inseparable sectors because for agricultural activities to survive, the elements of the environment must have played their roles; by providing natural vegetation for livestock livelihood and arable land for good crop production.

However, honourable speaker, in as much as we are expecting nature to take charge by providing all the necessary natural resources like water and sunshine, South Africa is generally short of water. Only 11,4 percent of the land is used for intensive agriculture relying on rainfall. In recent years rainfall has been so unreliable as a result of the global warming, but farmers have vowed not to allow this devastating weather patterns to deter them from doing what they do best; which is farming.

According to Statistics South Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures, the country's economic growth has relied on agriculture’s positive performance over the past year. We are today, honourable speaker, experiencing the effects of the much proclaimed global financial crisis. The Agricultural Business Chamber during its recently held gathering echoed the statement by the Reserve Bank Governor, Tito Mboweni when he said that although South Africa posted a second consecutive quarter of negative growth, the economic recession is not all bad news for farmers.

Again, during his presentation on the budget vote, the former Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel, in February this year, said South African producers were affected by a series of economic shocks including rising input costs, but the agricultural sector has grown strongly in response to higher prices and better rains.

The former Minister said "while the mining and energy sectors have experienced a terrible drop in growth, the agricultural sector is keeping everyone's head above water. In view of these statements by economists, our assessment of the situation is that farmers will even this year be able to sell what they will produce. Farmers should therefore capitalise on the demand for basic agricultural needs and staple foods like maize, wheat and sunflower.

Production figures for April this year showed the average producer price for beef increased from 8 percent to 14 percent for different classes.
According to the Agricultural Business Chamber, this increase in beef livestock industry was not expected.

They say beef consumption is usually an indication of how well the man in the street is doing, so obviously he’s not doing as badly as many thought. It is indeed honourable speaker, statements like these that articulate the level of commitment on the part of farmers, to put into practice the tenets of the freedom charter clause I referred to earlier.

We salute farmers in their respective industries for playing their part in providing food for the nation and contributing to the economy of the province.
As we plan for the term ahead, it is important to retrace our steps and update this house on our past committed activities.

For my department, 2008/09 was a year of continuing consolidation, strategy refinement and implementation and a commitment to improved service delivery.
Within this approach, my department remains committed to integrated rural development, with sustainable management of natural resources and household food security as the dominant criteria against which to measure our plans, programmes, activities and achievements.

Honourable speaker, because we also believe that it takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow, we have put all our energies together with our positive vision, to realistically perform all our assignments the right way. It is from this backdrop that I stand before this house and say with confidence that, we never lost focus in terms of our mandate on the delivery of agricultural and environmental services. I therefore with optimism, take pleasure in tabling this report to the august house, which outlines our future plans for the year to this august house.

Programme budget expenditure
Administration R126,733 128,126

On human resource management and development

In order for us to uphold service delivery and improve the level of responsiveness to our clients and key stakeholders, the process of conducting a comprehensive evaluation of our district services was initiated. This was done for one reason only; to honour the Batho Pele Principles by figuring out a plan to address all service delivery challenges and concerns raised by our clients. To exercise the call for agility when dealing with government clients, we have committed ourselves to work on the following key challenges:

* The department has too many general agricultural posts while scarce skills like scientists, engineers, economists and project managers remain a recruitment challenge. We have kick-started the process of strategising around this challenge to attract these scarce skills, and will conclude the entire course by the end of August 2009, with the implementation of the outcome
* Recently, we completed the comprehensive job evaluation process for all posts in the department to ensure that skill is evenly matched to remuneration and level of responsibility. We shall consider the results of the evaluation and shall determine the appropriate approach towards implementation
* We made a commitment last year to dedicate a number of posts specifically to physically challenged persons. Though we took a radical approach of setting aside 17 posts specifically for the disabled, the response to the advertisement was not positive. A partnership has been forged with key stakeholders to help us move on this constitutional call. We are expecting to welcome these officials into the department towards the end of the second term.

We further made a commitment to develop 470 general workers through the Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) programme. We are pleased to announce that 336 workers have been trained, with 218 females and 118 males, all between levels one to five. The level of literacy amongst this group of workers has improved significantly. The department is further continuing with this programme and 276 learners have already been enrolled for this financial year.

Our commitment to contribute to skills development in general remained a call to be fulfilled and we are pleased to announce that 40 learners have successfully completed the learnership programme on human resource management, project management, plant production and animal production.

We have revised our supply chain management policy during the past financial year. The objective of this exercise is to ensure that we become transparent and consistent towards improved governance of the department. We shall review this policy to incorporate lessons learnt during our first year of implementation.
The regulatory and performance audit of the department has previously revealed that the establishment of a risk management unit in the department is highly warranted. In the interest of good governance and not withstanding resource limitations, we have resolved to create this unit effectively from the first of April 2009. We hope this unit will be able to give us early indicators on impending threats to good governance.

As at 30 April 2009, we have received and noted financial disclosure for all senior management officials of the department as required by the Public Service Commission. This is an important milestone in ensuring that senior government officials are constantly monitored in their discharge of official duties.
We must, however, record that the department has tremendously improved its financial management position if compared to three years ago. We have moved from an adverse opinion as at March 2006, to a qualification on two matters as at March 2008. We hope this steady improvement will continue to an unqualified opinion in the ensuing years.

Programme budget expenditure
Agriculture R462,266 441,029

On Agricultural education and training

Honourable speaker, agricultural education and training remain to be a critical success factor for sustainability of agricultural development within the sector. In this regard, 294 beneficiaries of Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and land care grants were trained to ensure the specific skill transfer, empowerment and capacity building on the identified skills gaps related to production, technical and conflict management. The same efforts were extended to 48 Correctional services as part of moral regeneration and to bring about social cohesion within the society we live in.

The Taung agricultural college has been re-positioned to contribute more towards farmer training and learner-ship activities. Kgora Resource Centre is also being utilized for capacity building and food security trials to empower our youth in the field of agriculture.

In the same token, the Potchefstroom Agricultural College has been able to deliver 20 diplomas and 25 higher certificates during the past year. We have participated effectively in terms of the Nuffic partnership programme with Netherlands government and have exposed 15 of our college staff to competency based training which will enrich and improve the curriculum quality of the qualification that we confirm.

As part of the experiential training for diploma students, four of this college students have just arrived from Netherlands where they studied and bench-marked our curriculum with other international colleges for best agricultural practices.

We are hopeful that what these students have learned during the six weeks they spent at the Netherlands Agricultural Training Institutions will bear fruits for the entire college, for it to maintain its position as one of the best agricultural colleges in South Africa.

Honourable speaker, 2009 is the Centenary year for Potchefstroom Agricultural College. Given its profound history, what we seek to embrace is the dispensation and the new path of transformed role it has to play within the sector. Let us all support the planned centenary celebrations which will be staged throughout the year in remembrance of its role in our society.

On agricultural economics

For the year 2008/09, formidable progress was made with the development and finalization of the business plans for income generation projects. These projects were funded by the comprehensive agricultural support programme and settlement support funds. A special effort was made to complete the majority of the business plans before the end of May 2008 to ensure that project implementation started. Over and above the business plans done for CASP and settlement support, several other business plans were completed mostly on request by the Land Claims Commission. The number of business plans completed was more than that of previous years.

The Tosca feasibility study

The feasibility study for the Tosca project was completed by November 2008 and the business plan was completed by March 2009. It is envisaged that appropriate resources will be allocated to the project for implementation in 2010/11 as a measure to fight poverty and to improve living conditions for the people of Tosca and Bray. We strongly appreciate the partnership that we have developed in this regard with Molopo Local Municipality in view of integrated planning and development.

Despite challenges facing the sector in respect of implementing, monitoring and evaluating agricultural trade, marketing, developmental practice within the sector, while also identifying the necessary support and intervention for enhancing sector profitability and competiveness forum's new term, appropriate action plans will be developed. It is hoped that all stakeholders will form fruitful partnerships in achieving this noble goal of ensuring that the people of this province become part of the broader agricultural community through appropriate export and import strategies.

Veterinary services

The outcomes of vigilant animal and public health programmes, diagnostic and epidemiological capabilities continue to yield great dividends against the increasing risk of controlled animal and zoonotic diseases on a national and global level.

These programmes have been sustained through controlled vaccination, surveillance and awareness programs which were carried in line with the set national norms and standards. We can proudly acknowledge as a nation the achievement of disease free status for African swine-fever which has had an adverse economic effect within the Pork industry.

We have on the other hand increased our provincial export of milk to Botswana through export certification and compliance monitoring of such export establishments. As we approach the FIFA 2010 World Cup, bio-security will be of paramount importance to ensure the success of this historical event by the establishment of contingency measures, emergency preparedness in order to minimize the risk of animal disease and devastating human consequence.

Our performance on the implementation of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) Accelerated and Shared Growth-South Africa (AsgiSA) projects during the 2008/09 financial year has

Taung irrigation scheme

The main activity in this project is the replacement of the old irrigation system to reduce high maintenance costs, raise net farm income and factor productivity, sprinkler systems as well as the completion of the construction of the bridge.

The project received a conditional grant of R40m from the National Department of Agriculture towards the infrastructure resuscitation. Additional funding is being spent in line with the approved business plan for Taung irrigation scheme.
Of this amount, we have spent R38,9 million towards the replacement of 55 centre pivots as well as some work on the drainage, upgrading of the main canal and planning for the expansion. The total number of beneficiaries on the project is 411, and the total number of casual jobs created is 126. We are currently working on the institutional arrangements at the Taung irrigation scheme in order to ensure sustainability and viability of the project.

Mechanisation programme

The focus of this programme is on better position farmers to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the eminent national bio fuels strategy. This will also creating opportunities to bring idling fallow lands back into commercial production and increase production yields and volumes, by providing crop production mechanization package to developing farmers.

An amount of R4,2 million was budgeted for during the previous financial year and at year end, R3,758 million had been spent. A total of twenty cooperatives have benefited through this project. It is hoped that these beneficiaries will take advantage of this rare opportunity to ensure that land is used optimally to improve the livelihood of the rural poor.

The programme will continue during 2009/10 to support the previously disadvantaged farmers and their co-operatives. We are obliged to closely monitor these beneficiaries’ performance to ensure that proper production practices and usage of implements are achieved.

Nguni cattle development programme

This is a tripartite partnership project between the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the Department and the North West University, which distributes 23 heifers and one bull to each beneficiary or company. An annual amount of R2.5 m has been budgeted by both the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the department for five years (12,5 million in total).

Since its inception during 2006/07, 480 herds have been distributed to twenty beneficiaries in the province. At present there are 27 female and 46 male beneficiaries in this project. A training manual on livestock management has been developed, and all beneficiaries of this project have been trained. An amount of R5 820 586 million has been spent on this project to date.

To aid transparency and accountability, we have made the criteria for the selection of beneficiaries to be handled independently of the department through a technical committee appointed by the Board made up of the University of the North West, the IDC and the departmental representative. The project is coming to its final year in 2010 and exit plans will be put in place to ensure a smooth transition.

Multi-purpose livestock handling facilities

Mhas been spent so far for the construction of these facilities in the Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala Platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts for the commencement of this project. These facilities are meant to bring markets closer to the farmers and thus increase returns on their investment. Four sites were initially identified in the province, one site in each district municipality. An amount of R3 million has been spent so far for the construction of these facilities in the Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala Platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts for the commencement of this project.

We are however, honourable speaker, experienced a challenge in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district, whereby the site that was originally made available for this project in Taung, was re-allocated to another project. The matter has just been resolved and a new site in Taung has been identified to implement the project during this financial year.

Fencing programme

We are continuing, honourable speaker, to fence grazing areas and crop production lands, in order to control carrying capacity of the land and to ensure production of more food crops. This programme will continue for a considerable period for all high impact projects.

Honourable speaker, some North West communities are continuing to damage and or steal the fence that is meant to improve the animal and crop production in their areas. However, the extent of the theft or damage has reduced drastically in comparison to the past years, and this could be attributed to awareness programmes that are carried out by the departmental officials on natural resource utilisation and management. We are considering the possibility of having this fencing equipment marked for us to be able to identify thieves.

Western frontier beef beneficiation programme

Honourable speaker, developing farmers on livestock production remains our priority; hence we are still devoted to ensuring farmers’ involvement in this value chain of beef production programme. The draft business plan and implementation plan for this programme have been completed, and are currently being discussed with potential investors. It is estimated that R142 million will be required for fencing, planted pastures, fire belts, fire equipments and livestock handling facilities, while R177 million will be required to implement phase two of the project. The Industrial Development Corporation has agreed to support this project.

The concept to be employed for this project is that farms will be managed by the private investor in partnership with livestock co-operatives. Our livestock improvement strategy will also be revised to ensure that we transfer genetic technology for improved livestock quality of these cooperatives.

We have, honourable speaker, kick-started the process of training the targeted 600 farmers, through a skills development programme funded by the national skills foundation. To date, about 193 farmers in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi District have completed this training and 30 percent of them are women. This project, particularly because each livestock cooperative shall have an equity ownership together with the investors.

Estimating that about R142 million will be required for fencing, planted pastures, fire belts, fire equipment and livestock handling facilities. Quality bulls from the livestock improvement programme will be contributed, as well as the offering of veterinary support services from the existing departmental capacity.

Extension and advisory services

Honourable speaker the department has continued to provide technical advice to the farmers on how best they can improve their farming and production methods. This is a process whereby results may not be realised immediately or in a short term, as it depends on the ability and readiness of the farmers’ beneficiaries to implement the advice given. This could be attributed to infrastructure backlog challenge, to enable the farmers to put what they have learnt as theory into practice.

We can confidently report that tangible results of increase in production were realised in livestock and crop production where the department managed to provide infrastructural support to farmers. Example of such projects is in the Ngaka Modiri Molema districts where fencing was put up in crop areas, and where there was partnership with Noord Wes Koorperasie.

Other areas include Bojanala where livestock infrastructure was put up thus enabling farmers to carry out management practices such as dipping, dehorning and vaccinating their livestock in properly erected handling facilities crush pens built for them by the department.

To this end, the main challenge is to re-orientate our extension officials to be able to be on par with the changing world of technology and new practices so that they can advice the farmers accordingly. The department has thus rolled out the extension and recovery plan to capacitate the extension officers and agricultural advisors with appropriate tools and training to be able to respond to the farmers' requests with speed and accuracy. This plan was implemented towards the end of last year, and we expect to see the results during this financial year. We will strive for continuous improvement of extension service through training, visibility and accountability.

Agricultural master plan

Honourable speaker, last year the department promised to ensure finalization of the master plan for agriculture in the North West province. This plan was commissioned in February 2008 with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) being a co-funder and advisor of this plan. I am now pleased to inform the house that, the Agricultural Master Plan has been completed and delivered. The crafting of this plan was in full consultation with agricultural stakeholders throughout the province. Allow me honourable speaker, to express our words of gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed towards the completion of this plan.

It is through this master plan, that the department will be in a better position to integrate agricultural development plans into municipalities Integrated Development Planning (IDPs) and to this end a project steering committee comprising of district municipality representatives has been established and in operation.

On rural development

The ruling party's election manifesto dictates that, "Rural development and agrarian reform is integral to the struggle to create a better life for all.”
Honourable speaker, we admit that poverty and unemployment in rural areas are excessively high and this must change. The rural masses represent the majority of this department's stakeholders. We have arrived at a point where we must listen to their voices by ensuring that we translate budget policy statements like this one into practical and measurable programmes.

A Package of interventions on rural development must become an implementable programme. It must be aimed at eradicating unemployment, poverty, hunger and divisions in measurable terms. We have promised and will deliver on all aspects of this unique rural development vision.

As the Honourable Premier announced during her State of the Province Address, we have done our groundwork by conducting a needs analysis in respect of this mandatory call. A concept document has already been developed and we shall launch the comprehensive rural development programme in Mokgalanweng late in August this year, after the national launch. In our typical people cantered and people driven approach to development, we shall first consult our people on the content of this programme.

Letsema

Honourable speaker, we have devoted our quality time to ensuring that the fundamental right to nutritious food is not compromised. We have been involved in food security programmes through Letsema la Mantshatlala, community and backyard gardens and the school gardening programme. Through our collaboration with the Department of Education, we have ensured that school children are adequately taught about agric food systems from nutritional and health perspective.

To ensure that nutrition education dominates agri-food education, we advanced this academic platform by adding a comprehensive Sustainable food production chapter on the curriculum with the view to keep pace with the current farming practices. Last year alone, we managed to provide services to sixty schools and continue to ensure that we reach a number of ninety schools by the end of this fiscal year.

Women development

To respond to the challenges faced by women throughout the country, we are continuing to encourage sound participation of women in the agricultural mainstream economy. The launching of the Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD) structure two years ago remains to be one of the significant systems the Department put in place, to expose them into a myriad of opportunities available for them in this sector. Today, we boast a number of two thousand and six hundred legitimate members of WARD and continue to mobilise until women are liberated.

Year awards

Honourable speaker, we have entered the tenth year of implementing this distinctive project, and are very proud about what the provincial female farmers are capable of. Through this initiative, we recognize improved delivery, innovation and excellence by women in the agricultural sector. This annual competition is an instrument through which women’s contribution in the fight against poverty can be recognised through food security programme.

Our participation in this noble project has earned us six awards at National level, mostly on the Export and National Markets categories. Last year, a young aspirant farmer Tlamelo Mfaladi from Mogosane village, outside Mafikeng, who is doing organic farming, won the province the seventh National award for the informal markets category.

Through the strength of this competition the department managed to reach out to 228 women who are active farmers and more than 400 through our outreach programmes. Let me also take this opportunity honourable speaker to inform the house that we are even this year, ready to recognise these agricultural stalwart in the month of August. In recognition of the role that women play in our society, particularly in the field of agriculture, we are going to review and assess the projects of all previous winners with the aim of providing a packaged intervention for these.

Youth development

Honourable speaker, President Jacob Zuma says, "We shall not rest, and we dare not falter in our bid to bring meaningful, tangible and sustainable change to all our people, including our youth."

Over the past two years our strategy to contribute our fair share in the fight against youth unemployment rate, has been to encourage them to reconsider the perception they have about Agriculture and be part of the industry.

Our efforts saw us launching for the first time ever, the provincial youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) structure last year, which serves as an intervention to bridge the gap between the agriculture and land affairs.
Amongst its objectives is to promote and improve the active participation of youth in the agricultural sector and promoting economic equality for the youth in the agricultural Black Economic Empowerment and other programmes.

During my meetings with provincial farmers last month, we were advised by young aspirant farmers’ honourable speaker, to have a separate special grant for youth projects to ensure reasonable and equal financial assistance for these projects. Honourable speaker, we are considering that option. We are committed to supporting agricultural projects owned and managed by young people.
Together we can, together we must and together we will do more to make the youth an integral part of a new, more inclusive economy.

Directorate entrepreneurial development

Honourable Speaker, the performance of the Directorate Entrepreneurial Development (DED) has been critically discussed by the provincial legislature over the past four years. Arising from the Honourable Premier’s State of the Province Address, on the seizing of DED's operation, a bill for the repeal of DED will in due course be submitted to this house. We have started rounding off DED activities to create room for smooth integration of this unit's functions within the department's framework.

Programme budget expenditure

Environment R56,379 50,369

On Support to Environment and Sustainable Development in the North West (SESDNW)

Honourable speaker, the partnership project with Finland, the Support to Environment and Sustainable Development in the North West Province (SESDNW) came to an end in December 2008 after a period of seven years. This project has been classified as one of the biggest success stories in the North West Province that managed to make the North West one of the leading provinces in South Africa when talking about sustainable development.

The scope and activities of the project were based on the priorities of our Department as well as national and provincial priorities. The internationally accepted principles of sustainable development have been the guiding principles for the project. The following are some policy areas and plans delivered through the project:
* air quality management
* waste management
* land use management
* spatial planning
* biodiversity conservation
* eco-fund

Let me again, honourable speaker, take this opportunity to congratulate two of our eco funded projects, Greater Taung Greening project and the Morokweng Seedling Making and Nursery project, for scooping the prestigious SANParks Kudu awards two weeks ago, for their contribution in conservation of indigenous trees. Nko ya kgomo mogala tshwara ka thata, e sere go utlwa sebodu wa kgaoga.

World heritage sites

Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site

Vredefort Dome was placed under the custodianship of the National Department of Environment. In partnership with Department of Environmental Affairs (DEAT), special regulations for Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site were developed. The integrated management plan is currently being reviewed.

The roads upgrade study for the whole area both North West and Free State has been finalised. State of conservation report was compiled and submitted to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). We managed to establish the Ngwathe Catchments forum to address the problem of pollution of the Vaal River.

Taung skull World Heritage Site

The Minister appointed the MEC for the Department of Agriculture Conservation and Environment, the management authority on the 11 July 2008. The department commissioned the development of a comprehensive business plan for the site, with the primary objective of identifying and costing the development activities that need to take place at the site.

The business plan has been finalised and needs development budget for implementation. The tour guides completed their first aid training; they now qualify to be accredited by the province.

In partnership with South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), we managed to host a successful Heritage day whereat Professor Tobius a lecturer and Archaeology specialist made a presentation on the Archaeology of the site. This was meant to create awareness to the local communities and stakeholders on the value and integrity of the site.

An Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for this site will be reviewed to comply with the World Heritage Convention Act. We will again this year honourable speaker, develop the Conservation Management Plan for this site, to ensure that we comply with the National Heritage Resources Act. The plan requires a thorough understanding of what the heritage components of the site are, what their current state of conservation are, as well as the present and possible future impacts, threats and risks.

Biodiversity Conservation Bill

A draft of the bill was submitted to the Chief State Law Advisor (CSLA) for Certification during 2008. A number of workshops were later held with the CSLA’s office in order to ensure alignment of the bill with the Constitution and other national legislation. The bill will now follow the subsequent law making process to promulgation.

Provincial air quality management

The department made a commitment to this house last year, to ensure the development and implementation of the provincial air quality management plan. I am today, honourable speaker, pleased to inform the house that the department officially launched this plan on the 31 March 2009.

The main objective of the plan was to create and safeguard high air quality standards and practices and to reduce detrimental emissions. The formulation of this plan was as a result of effective public participation and extensive consultations and comments from interested and affected parties such as, but not limited to, municipalities, non governmental organisations, community based organisations and industries.

A multi stakeholder forum with role players from all active and interested parties within and outside government has been formed to realise the implementation of the plan and meet the department's commitments.

Air Quality Act, 2004

Honourable speaker in order to determine the negative trends of air quality in respect to scheduled processes in the, province, we commissioned a study in this regard. The process consists of industrial process quantification of impacts, formulation of the required control measures, definitions of certificate conditions, and implementation of an adequate compliance management system at company level and ongoing co-operative air quality and system management with the strategic objective of continuous improvements. The system has been successfully introduced in most of the scheduled processes in the North West province and proved to be an effective management tool and aids assurance of sustained environmental ability to cope with the pressure of industrial developments.

South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS), Atmospheric Emission Licensing process (AEL), Licensing Fee Calculator, Air Quality Monitoring and Air quality Station web process

Honourable speaker developed a provincial air quality monitoring network to comply with the National Environmental Management Act. Seven Air quality monitoring stations have already been set up to fast track the provincial ambient air quality monitoring programme.

The stations are located in the following districts:
* Bojanala Platinum District Municipality; one station in Madibeng, Royal Bafokeng and Moruleng respectively
* Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, one station in Kanana, Khuma and Jouberton respectively
* Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, one in the Agri-centre Building Premises

These stations monitor meteorological conditions and particulate matter (PM10). Some stations monitor criteria pollutants like sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide and Ozone, which is dependent on the area where the station is located.

North West (NW) Environment Outlook 2008 report

Honourable speaker, the North West province is the first provincial authority to produce an Environment outlook report. The NW Environment Outlook 2008 report was finalised in response to Chapter 40 of Agenda 21 that calls for improved environmental information as a prerequisite for environmental reporting on progress towards sustainability.

The NW Environment Outlook 2008 provides a detailed analysis of the past and present state of the environment, as well as the development of possible future scenarios for the North West province. It focuses on the complex inter-relationship between the biophysical environment, human needs and activities, and the economy.

This is the third State of the Environment Report (SOER) that the North West Province has produced. These reports have over time assisted the NW province in setting goals and objectives as well as developing new policies based on the awareness of trends and underlying drivers of change. The Environment Outlook report was launched last month during World Environment Day.

Biodiversity strategy

The provincial biodiversity conservation assessment has been successfully completed in the previous financial year. This study is just an assessment of the current state of biodiversity in the province. However, the next step is now to develop the provincial Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) during this financial year.

This BSAP will lay the road map of what action must be taken in the province for the next three years in order to ensure the protection and conservation of our biological resources in the provinces, including aspects of species management, habitat management, protected area expansion and protection of critical biodiversity areas.

Hartbeespoort Dam Remediation programme: Harties metsi a me. The Hartbeespoort Dam is one of the most significant dams in the economic hub of the North West province. Unfortunately, it is in a hypertrophic state, meaning that there are excessive nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates trapped in the dam.

The national Department of Water Affairs and Environment is therefore implementing the Hartbeespoort Dam Remediation programme, referred to as Harties Metsi a me. The aim of this programme is to address the imbalances and unhealthy biological conditions in the dam.

The Harties Metsi a me programme comprises a number of projects, of which two are currently being managed by this department, namely the Hartbeespoort Dam Steering Committee (HDSC) and the Fish Biomanipulation project.

The HDSC’s objective is to ensure that co-operative governance is being practised with regards to the remediation and management of the Hartbeespoort Dam and immediate surrounding area, whilst the fish biomanipulation project is necessary to address the imbalances that are currently evident in the aquatic ecosystem. Undesirable fish species will be removed by netting to achieve the desired trophic structure. This will help to limit the algae growth in the dam.

Environmental management frameworks

My department decided in terms of Regulation 70 (1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2006 (Government Notice R 385) to initiate an Environmental Management Framework (EMF) for the Tlokwe and Madibeng Municipalities due to significant development pressure on natural resources in those areas.

This EMF will delineate geographic areas in terms of environmental attributes, such as water resources, cultural and heritage resources, as well as agricultural potential and economical attributes. The EMF’s will be used to streamline EIA decision making on a departmental level and could be proactively used to plan and guide development in a sustainable manner within the municipal area if incorporated in the Spatial Development Framework (SDF), ultimately ensuring continued progress towards sustainability.

Biosphere proposal

This programme is designed to meet one of the most challenging issues the world faces today: how to conserve the diversity of plants, animals and micro organisms which make up our living biosphere and maintain healthy natural systems, while at the same time meeting the material needs and aspirations of an increasing number of people.

The Magaliesberg region is virtually without equal in the world. It is almost 100 times older than Mount Everest and has unique geology, topography, habitats and heritage. Despite being hundreds of kilometres inland straddling two landlocked South African provinces: (Gauteng and North West), its rocks bear the ripples of tides which lapped more than 2 000 million years ago, when the earth’s atmosphere was unbreathable and its land surface devoid of life.

The Magaliesberg Mountains have witnessed the complete spectrum of man, from the appearance of the first proto-humans to the arrival of those who are now responsible for it. The Magaliesberg range was proclaimed as a Protected Natural Environment back in 1977. We will therefore submit our proposal to the Minister to declare to declare the Magaliesburg proposal as a biosphere.

Environmental awareness

This programme is meant to develop skills, knowledge and values that promote behaviour in support of a sustainable environment. This programme supports the new education programme Outcome Based Education in the integration of Environmental issues in the formal school curriculum.

There are needs based environmental education programmes that are rendered through the five Environmental Education Centres in the province. Parallel to this, theme based workshops are conducted for educators on how to develop Learning materials on various environmental themes. This is meant to assist them with identifying relevant topics for the integration of Environment into the curriculum.

Wildlife fencing policy

Honourable speaker, the province has been using different wild life fencing specifications inherited from various pieces of legislation applicable in the province. The department realised the need to develop consolidated and integrated tool that would apply throughout the province. These were drafted with consultation with the industry.

An audit of wildlife facilities was then conducted to mainly establish the status and condition of the facilities and to enforce the newly developed policy. The outcome of the audit suggested eight percent compliance with the new specifications and farmers were informed of areas to fix in order to comply, which they did with enthusiasm.

After the alterations, these facilities were later re-inspected and the province now boasts 92 percent compliance with the new specifications. A number of gaps were, however, identified during the audit and the specifications focused on predator breeding facilities. This review will address those gaps and include zoos and facilities for breeding of crocodiles guided by the recently developed norms and standards for keeping of crocodiles. The North West province is the first to develop such consolidated tool for wildlife facilities.

Permits and Law enforcements

The department is also responsible for effective and efficient regulation of biodiversity and conservation. Permitting is an important instrument also used to monitor compliance with our legislation. The department will strengthen this area to ensure effective implementation of the recently promulgated national Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) regulations, which aims at further strengthening permitting throughout the country.

Biodiversity Permits issued by the department have also increased from 8234 to 8663 in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Law enforcement interventions are being reviewed and implemented with time. The challenge, however, is still successful prosecution of biodiversity related crimes which receive less attention from our prosecutors in favour of criminal and related cases.

Waste Management

The National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 0f 2008 was assented and signed by the President on 6 March 2009, and gazetted on 10 March 2009. The act sets out various activities and responsibilities which should be undertaken by different spheres of government including, but not limited to, the development of the waste information system, the national waste management strategy, the appointment of waste management officers as well as development of integrated waste management plans.

Provincial environmental departments are the provincial lead agents for environmental management, and must therefore provide provincial regulations and norms and standards for coordinated, integrated and cohesive waste management.
Municipalities have exclusive functions and responsibilities with respect to providing waste management services, development of integrated waste management plans which must be approved by my office before it can be incorporated into their integrated management plans and development of municipality standards and by-laws to ensure compliance to waste management legislation. In order to reach the desired goals on waste management, my department will support and strengthen municipalities’ ability.

Honourable speaker, we have also managed to complete the provincial integrated waste management plan. The main goal of this plan is to optimise waste management by maximising efficiency, and minimising associated environmental impacts and financial costs. The approach in developing the plan followed the waste handling process in accordance with the waste hierarchy adopted by the international community.

The goals to be achieved by the plan were set out as follows: Minimum Service standards and cost recovery, landfill management to enforce compliance with license conditions; recycling of all re-useable material in the waste stream, reducing waste disposed of at landfills by embarking on recycling pilot projects; development of rural waste management; monitoring, risk assessment and remediation; have education and awareness increased on waste management issues and capacitate district and local municipalities by establishing provincial waste management forum.

Environmental impact assessment

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are internationally recognised as an important tool to enable governments to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account when reaching important decisions on development and investment. The province is committed to making even further improvements to the EIA system, which will ensure that our future economic growth occurs in a manner that does not compromise the integrity of our environment. For the last financial year, 392 applications were authorised, and 379 mining applications were commented on.

Our 2009/10 priorities

We are obliged honourable speaker to ensure that in whatever we do, we align our activities with both the national and provincial priorities as well as our Strategic objectives. We therefore intend delivering on the following:

* launch the comprehensive rural development strategy
* present the DED repeal bill before the house and incorporate DED functions into the departmental structure
* operationalise the agricultural master plan
* revitalise the Taung College of Agriculture for farmers' capacity building and training
* develop the Environmental Management Framework (EMF) for the Tlokwe and Madibeng Municipality
* develop a Provincial response strategy for climate change
* develop a strategy on the promotion of agro-processing in the province
* develop a conservation management plan
* roll out the national youth service in the agricultural sector.

We will even this year honourable speaker, intensify our service delivery level on the following provincial flagship programmes:
* fencing programme
* nguni cattle development project
* western frontier beef beneficiation programme
* multi purpose livestock handling facilities
* firebreaks programme
* letsema la mantsha-tlala
* mechanisation programme
* taung irrigation scheme

These programmes have been aligned with the Medium Term Strategic Framework priorities of government, as well as the resolutions of the Provincial Executive Council Lekgotla. Accordingly, they have been incorporated into the provincial programme of action.

In conclusion, honourable speaker, I would like to pay tribute to the previous MECs responsible for this Department for their work during their term of office. I tread in the footsteps of illustrious leaders; especially my predecessor Mr Jan Serfontein who continued to stretch the chain lay by MECs before him, as a firm foundation for development and growth. They had all made it possible for me to hit the ground running in executing my new mandate.

I would like to extend my warm-hearted appreciation to the Head of Department, rre Mosweu Paul Mogotlhe and his entire management team, for their leadership and continued dedication, knowledge and wisdom on matters relating to the core functions of this department.

Many thanks go to the staff members for their diligent contribution towards ensuring the realisation of the department's vision, portfolio committee on agriculture, conservation, environment and rural development for their firm oversight role, organised farmers' structures for their support, contribution and advice.

All formalised designated structures, Women in Agricultural and Rural Development (WARD) and Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD), your dedication towards agriculture, rural development and women empowerment can never go unnoticed.

To help me cope with anything
To help me through reality
I dream on behalf of the people out there.

Denis Waitley, the oldest worker in the United States at the age of 103 once said "determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you” and honourable speaker, we are ready to face all the challenges, hence I take this opportunity to table vote 13 for the 2009 / 2010 DACERD, for approval by the house as follows:

Programme 1

Administration: R145,954

The aim of this programme is to manage and formulate policy directives and priorities and provide appropriate professional support service to all other programmes with regard to finance, information, legal, human resources, communication and other corporate related services. This programme has an internal administrative focus.

Programme 2: agriculture: R403,692

This programme has two sub-programmes:

* Agricultural support services

The aim of this first sub-programme is to provide agricultural support services to farmers in order to ensure that there is sustainable management of agricultural resources and sustainable agricultural development.

* District services

This programme aims to provide agricultural extension and environmental services to departmental clients in order to ensure that there is sustainable management of resources, sustainable development and meaningful contribution to the economy of the North West Province.

Programme 3: Environmental services: R61,701

This programme regulates and manages the environment, by providing the following core services and products: legislative instruments, policy instruments, project and programme plans, training and skills development, awareness creation, advisory services, research, extension services, authorisations and rejection decisions of environmental impact projects, compliance monitoring, compliance to international obligations and environmental status monitoring services.

Total: R611, 347

Ke a leboga,
I thank you,
Baie Dankie.


 

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