K Mosunkutu: Wetlands Indaba

26 October 2007

Programme Director: Dr Steven Cornelius
Executive Mayor of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council: Councillor Duma
Nkosi
Members of Mayoral Committees and Councillors present
Officials from all provinces and spheres of government
Representatives of organisations present
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen

I am delighted to be part of this important Indaba. I also feel honoured to
have been granted an opportunity to say a few words on the social and economic
importance of the issues that have been discussed and will continue to be
discussed in this gathering.

I first wish to commend the organisers of this Indaba, officials from
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council, the
South African National Biodiversity Institute, the Rand Water Foundation and of
course, officials from my department. It is my view that the issues that we are
gathered here are matters that directly impact on the extent to which
government can succeed to deliver on its promise to deliver a better life for
all our people.

I boldly make this assertion conscious of the fact that wetland are a
critical element of our ecosystem. I also hold the view that ruination of one
element of biodiversity invariably results in the damage of other elements of
biodiversity. This analysis is vindicated by the Millennium Ecosystem Analysis,
a study commissioned by the United Nation (UN). This research has revealed that
60%, or 15 out of 24, of the ecosystem are continuously being degraded or used
unsustainably. This research further shows that 'over the past 50 years, humans
have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable
period of time in human history.' Fresh water, water and air purification
systems are among the listed bionetwork that people using in a manner that is
unsustainable.

This indaba may be taking place within an area that has quite a fair share
of rivers, dams and wetlands. The national reality, however, belies this
apparent abundance. Our country is located in an area that is considered
semi-arid. The combined total flow of all the rivers in the country amounts to
about 49 200 million cubic metres. We enjoy an average rainfall of only 450
millimetres per year, which is well below the world average of about 860
millimetres per year.

The other reality about South Africa is that the country is the economic hub
of the continent, a fact that implies usage of large volumes of the scarce
water resource. In addition, our government has set itself the strategic
objectives of, among others, giving more of our people access to hygienic
water. We also have set ourselves, as government, the objective of eradicating
the bucket system. These few strategic objectives, among numerous others,
suggest a dire and compelling need to ensure prudent usage of water.

I am raising the issue of unsustainable use of ecosystems and the obligation
that we have to build a better life for our people, not because of an
exaggerated hope of generating new primary knowledge about water. My point is
to reiterate the importance of wetlands in relation to the storage and
purification of water. In line with the Ramsar Convention, I am emphasising the
need for our discussions to continue to be grounded on the social, economic,
health and cultural needs of all our communities. I have mentioned some of our
government's strategic objectives including the goal of giving more our
communities access to clean water knowing that wetlands have a critical role in
these.

It is my earnest hope that, at its conclusion, this indaba shall have laid
concrete basis to replicate the Seekoei-rivier success story. This catchments
area, with high biodiversity, was successfully rehabilitated and supplies the
Vaal River, our major source of water supply. We also have international
obligations.

The country, as we all know, is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention.
Gauteng has a Ramsar Site, the Blesbokspruit. In addition, the province has
rich biodiversity. Covering an area of some 17 800 kilometres square, Gauteng
falls within both the savannah and highly threatened grassland biomes that
together constitute six vegetation types. We have an estimated 3 303 plant
species, 125 mammal species, 326 bird species, 25 amphibian and 53 reptile
species.

This clearly compels my department to continuously strive to adhere to the
International Ramsar Convention. I am certain that our input into this indaba
will not falter on this commitment. We shall continuously bear in mind our
government's strategic objective and the relation of these to discussions that
will continue to unfold in this forum.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Gauteng
Provincial Government
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gauteng.gov.za)