Environment presented by Member of the Executive Council Mandlenkosi
Mayisela
24 May 2007
Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Honourable Premier of the North West province
Colleagues in the Executive Council
Members of the legislature
Distinguished guests
Preamble
The seventeenth Century French Philosopher Descartes is famous for declaring
that "I think, therefore I am"; but the Motswana perhaps knows better; because
she in contrast contends that "I am because you are." "Motho ke motho ka ba
bangwe." Ee, motho ga a le mongwe, ga a kake a iphetsa.
Madam Speaker, on the occasion of the opening of Parliament of the Republic
of South Africa at the beginning of the second decade of democracy in 2004, the
President reminded the people of South Africa of the milestone commitment that
the African National Congress (ANC) made to work in a People's Contract with
all progressive civil society formations, to fight joblessness and poverty.
This milestone is encapsulated in our Vision 2014 programme and as the
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment we have ensured,
working together with our partners, that the commitment finds expression in our
day to day work, giving creative meaning to the expression, "the ANC Lives, the
ANC Leads."
Indeed go dira mmogo go a dira. This tradition of working together is not a
new political phenomenon that was crafted as a pillar to anchor the election
campaign message on, but has a long legacy within the Congress Movement, having
been ushered in many decades ago. As we move towards the centenary celebrations
of the ANC as a people's movement in 2012, we shall forever be reminded by
history that indeed, go dira mmogo go a dira. In the aftermath of all negative
publicity we endured last year, I am proud to pronounce that the department has
turned the corner and laid a solid foundation to achieve excellence in the
service we render to our clients. A year ago my role was to convince you, my
colleagues, the members of this house and our stakeholders, that the near
impossible could be achieved � to turn around poor administration and slackness
in service delivery swiftly enough for the people of our province not to lose
faith in our ability to govern and administrate this important portfolio.
We are now well on our way towards achieving this excellence in service
delivery. As our annual report will detail in a few months, we managed to reach
our desire of good governance, delivery of services and rapid implementation of
our programmes for the mandated period. We have managed to turn around the
department as a result of our commitment to an approach to governance that
unites management with staff and the unions that integrates stakeholders in
decision making and policymaking as well as a culture that unites all employees
around a common purpose of service delivery.
Under my term you will notice Madame Speaker that we have improved our
record of responses to Parliamentary Questions and we appear regularly before
the Portfolio Committee for accountability. We also involve the Portfolio
Committee in challenges we face regarding our regulatory framework; such as
when we dealt with the hunting industry issues.
Performance Review
Allow me Madame Speaker to factually illustrate how my team has delivered on
the mandate and the commitment we made before this august house. With the facts
I am about to present Madame Speaker, it will be impossible I believe, for our
detractors, agent provocateurs and doomsayers to continue to propagate what is
fast becoming a myth and the stuff of legends, the label and charge that the
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment in the North West
province is not delivering. The key question to ask now is what is the evidence
of our performance with regard to these efforts? Kana Motswana o re gakolla ka
gore. Setopo re supa nakedi, magogwe re mmega a sule. Che Guevara, one of the
luminary champions of the universal struggle of the poor also said "tell no
lies, claim no easy victories."
Madame Speaker you will recall that one of the main areas in which we were
held up for scrutiny and were found wanting in the past was the rate of
spending on departmental funds. I am pleased to report that unlike the 11%
expenditure mark at financial year end in 2005, we were able to finish this
past financial year with a total spending of 97,2% of all funds allocated.
Madame Speaker this feat, I reiterate, is made possible only because we were
committed to working together. Go dira mmogo, go re diretse! This performance
illustrates that we have lived up to our promises as a portfolio because we
have taken the principle of partnership, teamwork, co-operative and
participatory governance to practical levels in all relationships with
stakeholders, whether it be with staff, the unions, management, agricultural
unions or other government structures.
Madame Speaker we have resolved our challenge of aligning services with the
local government sphere by adopting the principle that funds should follow
function. To this end we have restructured our department to allow the
districts to be the main centres of our activity. This we have achieved by:
* aligning District Services with the province's demarcations of local
government districts
* we have created and filled district management positions including developing
the capacity for financial and human resources management
* all our projects are located in the districts and have been aligned with the
Integrated Development Plans (IDPs). The move to overhaul the departmental
organisational structure in order to optimise service delivery was accompanied
by the deployment of women into the Senior Management Service (SMS) level as
well as the internal shifting of some senior managers to areas where there were
capacity gaps, and the abolition of many redundant, vacant and unfunded
posts.
At present, eight out of the twenty five SMS positions in my department are
now occupied by women; representing a 30% threshold. We also intend to move
more aggressively to improve our 1% profile of level of employees with
disabilities. With regard the flagship projects portfolio that the department
committed to undertake I am proud to announce the following completed
projects:
* The Bedwang auction sales pan in Moretele is now complete. This state of
art project is meant to enable the livestock farmers in the Bojanala district
to trade uninhibited. A total of R1,2 million was invested into the
project.
* The Modimola Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) project has proven to
be one of our most successful responses to poverty alleviation. Currently all
the 15 hectares are under vegetable production and a total of 30 families are
direct beneficiaries of the project. A total of R7 million was spent and a
further R1 million will be invested in this fiscal year.
* Similarly in Modimong Taung, significant achievements were recorded with
vegetable gardens and fruit trees planted; creating 120 sustainable jobs. The
project will be expanded to the Cokonyane village this financial year.
* Dry land crop production projects undertaken in the Central and Bojanala
districts saw a total of 156 583 hectares (ha) planted with sunflower and
maize. These projects are a joint initiative with ABSA and MGK to support 166
farmers. R9 million was invested into the creation of over 200 temporary
jobs.
* The Nguni Cattle Development Project, a partnership of the department with
the Industrial Development Corporation and the North West University aimed at
re-introducing the Nguni cattle breed in the province, has unfolded and the
first batch of 96 cattle were distributed to beneficiaries, one in each
district. The department and the IDC each annually contribute R1 million per
annum over a five year period. The project has the potential of creating more
than 35 permanent jobs in its lifespan.
* The mechanisation support programme, aimed at supporting crop production
farmers with a basic production mechanisation package, distributed equipment to
17 legal entities and co-operatives. A total of R10,5 million has already been
spent and the rollout continues this year.
* The bulk fencing programme consists of a consolidation of all departmental
projects requiring fencing across the province. To date R11 million has been
spent on fence construction and training whilst 19 million was spent on bulk
supply of material. Implementation will continue during this financial
year.
* An amount of R3 million has been budgeted to support the beef production
in the Bophirima district. As you may know, the Western Frontier Beef
Beneficiation Project is one of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of
South Africa (AsgiSA) projects in the province. It is jointly handled by our
department and that of Economic Development and Tourism as well as the
Bophirima District and Naledi Local municipalities. The feasibility study
project is now complete and roll out work is proceeding. There will be a slight
deviation from the original plan of hormone�free beef production because of
market challenges.
* In the Taung Irrigation Scheme a total 1 570 ha (1 410 maize and 160
groundnuts) were planted through FNB/SAM arrangement. Government subsidised
farmers at a total of R38,3 million. A need has been identified to replace the
irrigation infrastructure to ensure optimum production and reduce the high
maintenance costs. An amount of R7 million has been budgeted for this
purpose.
* To ensure that the Irrigation Project does not stand as a lone star in a
galaxy of need, we have designed an integrated programme to link other
agricultural projects to the scheme. These are household food production
projects under the Letsema la Mantsha-Tlala programme such as Tshwaragano
fruits and Vegetables, and Modimong Olives.
* We have successfully completed a civil society mobilisation programme in
partnership with the South African National Non-Governmental Organisation
Coalition (Sangoco), which created awareness about the programmes and projects
of the department. Our aim was to build capacity and strengthen communities to
take ownership of grant projects.
* The Department worked in collaboration with the Provincial Youth
Commission to host regional youth summits which culminated in a provincial
summit at the end of March 2007. The summits were aimed at encouraging young
people to take advantage of opportunities available in the agricultural
sector.
* Flowing from this process, the department has committed itself to funding
a minimum of two wholly owned youth projects in each district per annum.
Recommendations made at the provincial youth summit will further aid us in the
development of implementation plans aimed specifically at broadening youth
participation in the sector.
Madame Speaker, our approach to women empowerment continues through our
annual female farmer awards. As is the case with our commitment to the youth,
we shall also commit funding to two projects per district to wholly women�owned
entities in the next financial year. May I take this opportunity Madame Speaker
to congratulate and salute our women achievers for 2006/07.
Micro Agricultural Finance Institutions of South Africa (Mafisa)
Preparations for the roll out of the Mafisa programme in the province
experienced undue delays partly due to the complex requirements for the
accreditation of Development Finance Institutions (DFI) in the provinces. It is
expected that outstanding issues in this regard will be resolved during this
year. In the meantime the ministry has designated the Land Bank to administer
MAFISA loans in the country.
Livestock Improvement Programme
* We are involved in a research programme geared at livestock improvement in
the province through a sire subsidy scheme. For the financial year 2006/07, 103
emerging farmers were subsidised. We intend to increase the number of
beneficiaries to 150 farmers in the production of breeds such Brahman,
Bonsmara, Simentaler and Afrikaner cattle.
The need to remain sensitive to the needs of the rural poor struck me even
more sharply than usual the other day while I was reading an anthology of South
African poems on poverty published by Sangoco. In a poem entitled 'Black Old
Lady,' Nyiko Shibambo from Limpopo writes:
"She has worked many hot summer days
But no remuneration is evident
Her body has been whipped countless times
Because she is the poorest of the poor
Though scars are the mirrors of her tattered past
Each dawn to her is a welcome gift
As I look upon her tattered body
I water my clothes with impotent tears
I cannot forgive her oppressors
Nor the poverty she is ensconced in"
Madame Speaker to make sure that we do not commit sins of omission and be
found wanting in our assistance to the poor, the Integrated Food Security and
Nutrition Programme (IFSNP) remains at the centre of our fight against poverty.
Through the provision of agriculture "starter packs" such as vegetable
seedlings, garden equipments, goats, poultry and chicken feed and fruit trees,
and in partnership with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), the
Modimong and Modimola EPWP poverty alleviation projects have become a shining
example of how agricultural production for food security can be achieved. Last
year a total of 2 577 beneficiaries were issued with agricultural starter packs
at a cost of R4 million. This year we are planning to support more homestead
gardens as well as preservation and food processing projects throughout the
province.
Transformation and market access
Madame Speaker Agri-BEE is becoming less of a buzzword and more of a reality
for the people of our province. The department has committed itself to
stimulating growth in agribusiness in order to raise the level of black
participation, especially among women and youth, in the sector. To this end,
local level training and awareness on broad-based black economic empowerment
opportunities within the agricultural sector was conducted in all twenty (20)
municipalities within the North West province for farmers and government
officials.
Further efforts to facilitate the roll out of the Agri-BEE in the North West
province will include the identification and training of Agri-BEE Champions in
this financial year. Our other major challenge is the broadening of access to
finance and markets for emerging and small-scale farmers. In addition, the
discouraging reality of extremely low profit margins in some commodities (such
as maize and dairy) and as well as competitiveness in others (such as broiler
production), constrains the participation of a full spectrum of producers. We
have therefore begun to address a part of this problem by focusing on market
access as a broad strategy. To this end, we have strengthened our Economics
Unit to the point where Marketing will receive special focus through the
establishment of an Agricultural Marketing Services sub-directorate, mandated
to do the following:
* conduct agricultural market infrastructure needs in the districts
* link farmers with markets
* provide agricultural market information to farmers
* Link producers to futures markets (SAFEX)
* provide and disseminate local and international trade information.
In a further endeavour to find sustainable solutions to sector marketing
challenges, we have also commissioned a study to clearly identify impeding
elements and possible solutions. An interim report has been received and is
being analysed, with a view to develop an implementation plan in this financial
year.
Risk and Disaster Management
Madam Speaker, it is a fact that we are a drought�prone province, with the
areas of Bophirima District being the driest. In 2005 we were once more hit by
drought and again the hardest hit areas were in Bophirima. As a result, the
national Department of Agriculture allocated an amount of R16 million to the
province for drought disaster relief in that area and some parts of the Central
District.
These funds were used to assist farmers to purchase fodder at subsidised
rates. A total of 5 867 farmers were assisted. Our province is also a regular
victim of veld fires. September 2006 saw an area of about 40 000 hectares of
grazing land in the Driefontein area of Lehurutshe ravaged by fire. Twenty-four
farmers and four (4) communities were affected. In response the department
spent an amount of R1,016 million to assist the affected farmers, also through
a fodder subsidy scheme.
There were also other interventions of smaller but significant proportions
such as the fodder scheme in the Kgetleng District, and the spraying of locusts
in the Ipelegeng and Pudimoe areas of Taung. Continuous efforts are being made
to assist farmers to minimise the risk of the effects of disasters through an
early warning system whereby advisories are produced to provide farmers with
weather outlook information which can assist them to make early informed
decisions for their enterprises.
Veterinary services
The Abattoir Hygiene Rating Scheme was launched throughout the province's
twenty-two high-throughput abattoirs for poultry and red meat. Great success
was achieved in that regard. We are now planning to promote compliance to the
meat safety standards of the province.
AMP (Agricultural Master Plan)
The department has initiated a process of developing a Master Plan for the
Agricultural Sector. This plan will be anchored on sound environmental
principles as the foundation for sustainable growth and development of the
sector through job creation, increased public investment in agricultural
infrastructure and improved farming skills among communities. The development
of the Terms of Reference (TOR) was completed with the aid of the Development
Bank of Southern Africa. This comprehensive and multi-sectoral Agricultural
Master Plan will be designed and crafted in consultation with agricultural
stakeholders.
The timeframe required to complete this plan is 18 months. Deliverables will
include a spatial planning database, the listing of economic opportunities and
enterprise budgets, a project information library, detailing of
eco-technologies as well as packaged agricultural development support systems.
These packaged agricultural development support systems will put us in a better
position to integrate Agricultural Development Plans into municipalities' IDPs
and to help identify viable agricultural development projects. Another key
example of our improved manner of governance is the efficient functioning of
the Land and Agrarian Reform forum and the Agriculture Forum in all matters
regarding land.
Madame Speaker, it becomes critical for stakeholders to work together. In
this regard I would like to extend a sincere word of appreciation to the Land
Claims Commissioner for the North West and Gauteng, Mme Tumi Seboka and the
Land Affairs Regional Chief Director Mme Paula Mongae, for the manner in which
they have worked together with my officials to bring about rapid progress in
land reform matters which integrate across all three main pillars of my
department, the Agriculture, Conservation and Environment arms. Progress to
date stands as follows:
* By the end of the last financial year in March 2007, the Department of
Land Affairs in the North West province had purchased 25 815 hectares through
the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS).
Two of the farms acquired are game farms. Because game farming, including
hunting, is one of the markets the department would like blacks to participate
in, we have moved to develop a targeted selection criteria in terms of which we
will allocate these PLAS farms to successful applications or beneficiary
groups. Soon the Department of Land Affairs will be engaging all relevant
stakeholders, together with us, to expedite the process of selection and
allocation.
* In addition to the PLAS process the Department of Land Affairs; in terms
of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD), transferred
over 8 000 hectares to new beneficiaries; benefiting 190 individuals, of whom
52 are youth and 60 women.
* In the commonage sub-programme, Land Affairs also acquired and provided
municipalities with a total of 800 hectares targeted for use by the urban and
peri-urban agriculture operations that occur on the fringes of our towns and
townships throughout the province. Municipalities are encouraged to help
formalise this urban agriculture initiative by taking advantage of the
opportunity provided by this acquisition.
The good news do not end there Madame Speaker. Government is still committed
to redistributing 30% of white-owned farms to blacks by 2014. In the North
West, this means redistributing 235 000 hectares per annum, and the realisation
of this target depends on the willingness and cooperation of white land owners.
There is now a total of 24 farms of varying sizes administered by my department
under the Power of Attorney granted to me by the national minister:
* Four farms are currently leased by individuals with an option to
buy.
* Five farms have been set aside for availability to grant individuals, also
with the option to buy.
* Six of the farms are under claim and therefore cannot be disposed of until
the process has been finalised
* The rest of the remaining 9 farms will be approved for disposal by the end of
this calendar year.
The Land Reform partnership of Land Affairs, my department and the Land
Claims Commission in the province will continue to accelerate the delivery of
land and agrarian reform this financial year and the co-operation and
participation of all stakeholders will remain crucial.
Transformation of Agricultural Colleges
A decision on the transformation and future role has been elevated to the
National Intergovernmental Forum for Agriculture and Land Affairs, which will
be seized with the task of developing a uniform framework for adoption at all
Agricultural Colleges, with respect to areas such as curriculum, funding models
accreditation and regulation. A way forward will be communicated to all
stakeholders once we have reached finality on this matter, however, the guiding
principle will be the retention of the colleges in a form that enhances sector
skills development and support to beneficiaries and communities.
Environment
Madame Speaker the responsibility for the provision of a safe and healthy
environment is outlined in a range of legislation and different sections of the
constitution. Section 24 of the constitution outlines that everyone has a right
to an environment that is not harmful to their health and wellbeing and to have
the environment protected for future posterity through a range of measures that
prevent pollution and ecological degradation, promote conservation, secure
ecologically sustainable development and the use of natural resources while
promoting justifiable economic and social development.
I made a commitment to this house last year that the transformation of the
gaming industry in this province was to be one of my main priorities. I am
pleased to report today that despite the challenges emerging from the
regulatory front, I managed to spend a good part of the past year doing the
foundational work of engaging established game farmers on our vision to
transform the industry. Our consultations also included Dikgosi as custodians
of communal land. Dikgosi across our province were workshopped on the ins and
outs of the industry and the role they will need to play alongside us for
example, by making available suitable communal land available.
Furthermore, we also developed a framework for skills development which
included the identification of the first crop of blacks to be targeted for
introduction into the industry. So successful has been our spade work in this
area that we are now at the point where we will in a few months be in a
position to launch the first public or private partnership project in game
farming. In addition, the department completed key exercises such as the
scoping and identification of available land and other resources (as this is a
land hungry and capital intensive industry).
Threatened and protected species
The hunting industry generates 11,8 million US dollars annually in the North
West province. The hunting of large predators alone contributed 7 million US
dollars of this. Large predators therefore represent the bulk of the income
from professional hunting. This industry has been operating for a number of
years, with minimum incidents. Our province therefore supports the sustainable
utilisation of our natural resources including the hunting of large predators.
As members may be aware, the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has
recently proclaimed the new regulations on threatened and protected species
with effect from the 1st of June 2007.
Though we support these regulations as a province in principle, we gave
concerns regarding certain aspects. Firstly, the abrupt implementation will
negate the abovementioned economic benefits of this industry and secondly it
will thwart our efforts to provide access, equity and transformation to which
we are committed. As members may be aware, the implementation of the new
regulations will have far reaching consequences socially and economically and
require further investigation e.g. re-engineering the hunting business will
take two to three years in order for the game farms to continue operating.
There is also the likelihood that breeders and game farmers will close their
business altogether, thus leaving hunting to take place only in protected
provincial and national parks or conservancies. This step has huge implications
for the revenue that has been generated as well as job losses. The approved
regulations will thus blow all the chances of introducing game farming and
professional hunting to previously disadvantaged groups. In order to contain
the unintended and potential destruction of this industry, we need transitional
measures to ensure that once implemented, sufficient time is granted to game
farmers and breeders to absorb the effects of the regulations.
We are of the view that implementation should be done in a phased manner so
as to ensure firstly, that game breeders and farmers have the opportunity to
diversify or re-engineer their business. Secondly this will also afford
provincial authorities to plan and create the necessary capacity required for
implementation. Given these concerns, we held discussion with the ministry to
review the implementation date of the regulations in order to allow time to
discuss and address these challenges. I am happy to announce that the ministry
has therefore postponed the implementation for these regulations to the 1st for
February 2008.
Environmental management inspectors
One of our commitments in the last Budget Speech was the recruitment of
Environmental Management Inspectors in order to ensure that law enforcement is
strengthened to preserve our land for posterity. This task has been undertaken
and the Environmental Inspectors were deployed accordingly; focused on the main
duty of ensuring that no or minimal damage is caused to our environment.
Illustratively, among their many achievements the Environmental Management
Inspectors conducted over 54 environmental compliance audits and completed 57
environmental and biodiversity criminal investigations which have now been
referred for prosecution. Acting proactively, the inspectors issued 89
directives of duty care, in order to encourage compliance where it was found to
be weak. In relation to our international conventions, we were able, under our
administration, to issue 7 246 Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) and biodiversity permits.
Environmental education
Madame Speaker, education as in other areas, plays a key role in the
environmental sector. Our enthusiasm and energy for environmental education has
not waned. In the past year we trained over 6 735 teachers and learners who
attended our environmental education and capacity building workshops in the
various centres that we operate across the province. Because we do not restrict
environmental education only to formal means, we also launched 18 new youth
clubs in the past year. These youth clubs are instrumental in transporting the
spirit and message of environmental care into communities. Twenty seven
environmental awareness and cleaning campaigns were also held across the
province. The Eco Fund projects, which focus on environmental cleanliness and
awareness; particularly in our urban and peri-urban areas ensure some measure
of sustainability for these projects.
World Heritage Sites
Madame Speaker with regard to our two heritage sites, progress regarding the
three major requirements is close to finalisation. This relates to the
appointment of a management authority, the adoption of integrated management
plans and the legal definition of boundaries for each site. These will be
completed in time for official inscription by the United Nations Convention for
Heritage Sites expected later in the year.
Vredefort
At Vredefort, the Strategic Environmental Assessment has been completed and
is in the process of being implemented. In addition, we have also done what is
called a "Sense of Place Study," coupled with a Traffic Impact Study.
Furthermore, the communication, marketing, tourism and integrated management
plans are all in place. An office is now operational at the site; coupled with
a fully equipped information centre.
Taung
In Taung, fencing to protect the precious fossils heritage is up; and
important sites have all been clearly marked. The restoration of the site has
been completed in full; leaving the task of implementing a visitor promotion
plan which is integrated with the tourism development strategy of the
province.
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
Since 1997, when we first introduced EIA regulations (under the Environment
Conservation Act of 1989), the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) has
dealt with more than 3 000 EIAs. The existing system of EIAs has been of great
value to the country in helping authorities make informed decisions about
development activities, allowing developers to ask the right questions,
requiring that the voices of affected communities be heard, and, most
crucially, ensuring that negative impacts on our environment and on human
health are proactively identified, prevented, managed or minimised.
Nine years of EIA experience has taught us valuable lessons. Firstly, lack
of clarity in the old regulations often led to inconsistent application of the
laws. Secondly, lack of flexibility often resulted in unjustified and
unnecessary time and monetary costs and thirdly, the old public participation
processes lacked proper guidance and were often abused; hence the need to align
EIAs with our much-evolved environmental management law (Promotion of
Administrative Justice Act known as PAJA).
With regard to some specific improvements, the list of activities requiring
an EIA has been thoroughly reworked into nine thematic areas such as property
development, energy generation, and industrial activities. These have been
further divided into two notices, based on the nature and associated risk of
the activity those in notice one, such as transformation of land to develop
residential areas larger than three hectares, will now be subject to only a
Basic Assessment process, whilst those in notice two, like power stations, peat
extraction and mining will require a thorough assessment process (scoping and
EIA). It is estimated that these lists, and the introduction of development
thresholds, will see the number of EIA applications not only reduced but
processed more quickly.
One of the most important features of the new regulations is the
introduction of compulsory timeframes to which our authorities must adhere. The
authorities will now be obliged to deliver within 14 days for purely
administrative actions, and within 45 days for review and decision making on
minor reports. In complex cases, 60-105 days will be needed for review and
decision making. The result will be a faster and cheaper process, allowing
better concentration of our resources on the more complex and potentially
damaging activities something we consider critical in facilitating our
Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA).
The department indicated last year that the EIA and other tariff schedules
will be implemented. This did not take place because of the impact of processes
initiated by the national department. The fear by the national department was
that there would be lack of uniform standard among provinces if we preceded
with our new tariff structures. This process was however not concluded. Since
there is the proviso that the MEC has powers to charge prescribing fees in
terms of the legislation, my department has taken a decision to begin charging
fees for EIAs and hunting permits as from the 1st of September 2007. This is
the same date on which we will conclude all EIA applications falling under the
old dispensation.
Support to Environment and Sustainable Development in the North West
(SESDNW)
The project will be coming to an end of March 2008. The overall objective is
to contribute to the improvement of environmental management and sustainable
development in the province by building appropriate human capacity and
institutionalising environmental planning and management products and systems
developed during the first phase of the project.
During this period it is envisaged that the tasks and institutions of the
provincial and local governments will be further consolidated. Many
obligations, tasks and concepts within the sector are still relatively new to
all involved parties, particularly the municipalities. Despite the
interventions and positive impact of the first phase of the project, there
still remains a severe lack of skills, funding and administrative capacity to
handle the new responsibilities. Capacity has to be speedily created in the
next few years to support NWPG and the North West (NW) municipalities to
achieve the necessary service levels.
Having given a detailed report on the performance of the department it is my
hope Madame Speaker, that I have provided this house with sufficient comfort
and confidence that the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment
has turned the corner and is on a new path to efficiency, good governance and
excellence in service delivery. We have joined hands to bring about remarkable
change within a short space of time, proving that "Go dira mmogo go a dira,
samewerking werk."
Future Plans and Priorities for 2007/08
Development Funding
Proceeding swiftly with delivery, the department has proper implementation
plans for the roll-out of conditional grants for the 2007/08 financial year;
with business plans for Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP) and
Land Care projects already processed, coupled with grant beneficiary signatures
on all Memorandums of Understanding. So rapid has been our progress in this
regard that we are already seized with the task of identifying projects for the
2008/09 financial year. In an attempt to ensure that beneficiaries are
carefully selected for future projects, and due to the high nature of demand
for these grants, the Department has developed a Strategy on Development Funds,
which will serve as a framework for grant approval going forward. This will
eliminate any chance of dishonesty or lack of transparency in approving grant
applications.
Veterinary Services
Looking forward; the following sanitary control measures are planned to
strengthen animal disease control and meat safety:
* The strengthening of preventative vaccination campaigns for Anthrax,
Rabies and Brucellosis as animal diseases transmittable to man.
* Targeted surveillance and contingency programme for Bird Flu, Classical Swine
Fever, BSE and Foot and Mouth Disease in order to promote early detection and
enhance emergency preparedness.
* Improved compliance on exports through regular audits to mitigate export
risks and promote the competitiveness of the North West province.
Multi-purpose livestock handling facilities
As an outcome of the Provincial Anti-Stock Theft Forum launched in 2003, the
regulation of animal pounds and auctions emerged as an important factor in the
security of livestock. In response we commissioned the drafting of a Pounds
Bill in order to provide a legislative framework for the establishment of
pounds. This year we intend to proceed with the construction of at least one
multipurpose livestock handling facility in each district.
Madame Speaker the future is bright. Delivery is certain. To this end we
will continue implementation of the following anchor projects during
2007/08:
* mechanisation programme
* western frontier beef cattle beneficiation programme
* complete the feasibility study for Tosca
* Merafong area relief plan
* complete infrastructure repairs for the Taung Irrigation Scheme
* complete the official inscription of the Heritage sites; Taung and
Vredefort
* launch the Wolmaranstadt Goat Project
* the Nguni Cattle project
* finalise Provincial Disaster Management Policy and Plan
* continue the Letsema la Mantshatlala programme
* firebreaks programme to minimize veld fires
* establish Wildlife and Environmental Fora
* accelerate the transformation of the Game Industry
* revive the Provincial Agricultural Trade and Marketing Forum
* introduce new tariffs for EIA applications
* accelerate the Land Reform Programme
* approve and Implement the Employment Equity and Workplace Skills Plan
* finalise the Pounds Bill
* finalise the Biodiversity and Conservation Bill
* implement the departmental risk management strategy
* adopt and implement the Human Resource Plan
* drive an HIV AIDS Awareness Programme for Farm Workers
* strengthen our business planning and appraisals of projects
* implement the environmental regulatory framework
* publish the North West Environmental Outlook Report.
These are just but some of our priorities. The full spectrum of these
priorities is contained in the strategic plan already tabled and discussed with
the Portfolio Committee of this august house, and it forms the basis for which
we will later request a budget vote.
Challenges
As we proceed with implementation in this new financial year, we are highly
cognisant of the fact that our greatest challenge will remain the gap between
need and available resources. Madame Speaker, all stakeholders and structures
are agreed that agriculture is the anchor of economic development, particularly
for rural provinces like ours. Our grave concern is that our equitable funding
does not match the tasks. We therefore need to find proactive ways of ensuring
that this sector is appropriately funded to deliver this daunting mandate.
Operationally, we also have to grapple with the proper alignment of
reporting requirements of the structures we are accountable to such as this
house, the Office of the Premier and the provincial and national treasury. With
regard climate change, our challenge is to adapt our plans and investments to
manage this great risk in accordance with the ever changing weather patterns.
We are in discussions with the national departments and the Agricultural
Research Council in conducting research on how to adapt new products and
technologies to survive this phenomenon.
Tekanyetsokabo
Mmusakgotla le ntlo e e tlotlegang, re kopa lekuka la ma�wi, leo ka lona re
ka fepang bahumanegi, digole, ba�wa, bomme le botlhe ba ba tshwereng ke tlala.
Lekuka le, le ka tshwanela go nna ka tsela e e latelang:
Lenaneo
Kabelo
Tsamaiso: R 98 380 000
Temothuo: R 349 670 000
Tikologo: R 57 948 000
Kopanogotlhe: R 505 998 000
We hope that you will show your support through a positive vote for the
funds we have requested in order that we continue our normal work and also
launch new programmes and projects. Our vision remains to be your leading
partner in the sustainable use of natural resources in this province � doing so
by providing a sound natural resource management system which contributes to
sustainable development, for a better life for all the people of our beautiful
province.
Conclusion
The strategic objectives and full outputs for the 2006/07 financial year are
listed in our Strategic Plan which has been tabled before this House. As I
close I would like to offer special thanks to my executive management led by
the Head of Department, Mosweu Mogotlhe, for their commitment, resilience,
dedication and tenacity under tough conditions. My appreciation also extends to
the committed people in my private office. I would also like to thank the fine
oversight role of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment as well as the sector stakeholders who have supported me in
bringing about change in this portfolio and sector.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North
West Provincial Government
24 May 2007
