R Mabudafhasi: Youth State of Environment Outlook launch

26 October 2007

Honourable Mr Khabisi Mosunkutu, Gauteng MEC for Agriculture, Conservation
and Environment
Your Excellency Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council, Mr Duma
Nkosi
Chairperson of National Youth Commission, Ms Nomi Nkondlo
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)
Commissioners
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Officials, ladies and gentlemen

I greet you all and thank you for making time to gather here in this special
occasion to bring onboard an indispensable stakeholder.

"The imagination, ideals and energies of young men and women are vital for
the continuing development of the societies in which they live." This was
recognised by the Member States of the United Nations (UN) when they endorsed
the Declaration on the Promotion among Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual
Respect and Understanding between Peoples in 1965. The visions and aspirations
of young men and women are essential elements in facing the challenges of
today's societies and future generations. All over the world, young people
participate and live in societies that are in different stages of development
and in unique socio-economic situations.

South Africa's wealth is based on its natural resources it's unique
geographic landscapes which include beautiful sceneries such as marine and
coastal areas, mountains, meandering rivers with attractive waterfalls and
biodiversity. The combination of these landmarks makes South Africa an
irresistible tourist destination. It isn't surprising that we are currently
attracting over eight million tourists into our beautiful country per year.
Tourist spending contributes over eight percent to our Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) per annum and this means creation of sustainable jobs and alleviation of
poverty.

The biggest challenge now is to ensure continuation of this legacy to
benefit future generations. We will warm bodies of the youth to pass them the
baton to carry on with the good work. The question is: Are the youth ready to
come onboard? South Africa's Constitution not only enshrines our right to a
healthy environment but also obliges us to secure ecological sustainability.
These fundamental tenets of our young democracy place a responsibility on all
South Africans to balance social and economic considerations with environmental
ones. Good information about our environment is essential to affect such a
balance.

I therefore feel especially honoured to be giving the keynote address at the
release of South Africa Environment Outlook (SAEO), and the Imvelo Yethu, Youth
version of the South Africa Environment Outlook. The outlook highlights the
status of our environment, assesses the future with plausible scenarios, and
proposes a range of interventions that aim to enhance South Africa's
environmental wealth and strengthen the foundation required for improving the
well-being of our people.

This is the first Environment Outlook report for South Africa, and we are in
fact one of the first countries to produce a state of environment report in the
outlook-format of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In so doing,
the Environment Outlook supports those that have been produced by the United
Nations for other geographic areas, such as the Global Environment Outlook and
the Outlooks for Europe, Small Island States, Africa and the Southern African
Development Community.

Given the importance of the youth for the future of our country, the
department has assisted the National Youth Commission in producing a National
State of the Environment Report for Youth, one of the first such reports in the
world to be dedicated to young people. The release of the South African
Environment Outlook (SAEO) and its youth version underscore the highlight a
growing commitment to conserving our environmental resources for future
generations. They are indeed stories of future hope if we were to listen to the
message. South Africa is committed to the involvement of youth in all aspects
of environmental and development, as stated in Principle 4 (q), Chapter 1,
Section 2 of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998), which
states: "The vital role of women and youth in environmental management and
development must be recognised and their full participation therein must be
promoted."

Experiential or hands-on learning is an approach that is verified globally
as a successful means of getting young people involved in environmental issues.
We therefore acknowledge that their exposure to hands-on experience in
developing the Youth version of the SAEO sparked an interest and involvement in
environmental issues, both at school and in the community. Interest in doing
something does not mean there exists the opportunity to do so.

It is important to present young people with a list of possible activities
such as this, to prompt their interest and involvement. This report is a
product "by the young people for the young people." Therefore a sense of
ownership and pride is highly profiled in this initiative. The world is rapidly
changing, with the globalisation and liberalisation of the world economy, with
the rise of new conflicts, with the spread of HIV and AIDS, with the steady
deterioration of environmental resources, with demographic changes, with the
failures of economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the
Caribbean and the Arab states and with the transition to free market economic
systems and democratic government.

Young people represent agents, beneficiaries and victims of such changes
which will inevitably affect us into the next century. One of the priority
areas for action aimed at improving the situation and wellbeing of youth is the
natural environment. The deterioration of the natural environment is one of the
principal concerns of young people worldwide as it has direct implications for
their well-being now and in the future.

While every segment of society is responsible for maintaining the
environmental integrity of the continent, youth have a special interest in a
healthy environment because they will be the ones to inherit it. The
involvement of youth in environment and development decision-making is critical
to the implementation of policies of sustainable development.

Our department is already responding to the Deputy President's call for the
massification of the National Youth Service programme within the environment
and tourism sectors. I pledged during the Budget Vote Speech that we will
launch the National Youth Service programme in Environment and Tourism later
this year as a vehicle for young people to contribute to service delivery,
nation building and social cohesion whilst acquiring skills to enhance their
employability within our sectors.

Our National Youth Service programme has been funded to the tune of R25
million for the enrolment of 500 young people across the country. This program
is part and parcel of our social responsibility programme which has already
contributed to the employment of at least 1 000 young people throughout the
country. We are hoping to reverse the traditionally non-participation of the
youth in environmental issues.

Instilling interest and participation in environmental groups and programmes
and designing strategies on how to effectively motivate young people to help
the environment has become our concern. This can only be achieved by creating
new opportunities for involvement and providing young people with the
information they desire. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
acknowledges that the South African youth can only be at the forefront of
environmental activities largely through support from government and their
involvement in environmental programmes.

To this end, the department is creating skills training opportunities for
young people in the wider field of environment. This includes training young
people as Tour Guides. This involves sending students to countries such as
Germany, Italy, China, Spain, etc to learn foreign languages so that they could
provide better service to tourists when they visit South Africa. Through our
Social Responsibility programme, we also provide funding for business
initiatives such as recycling which is done in collaboration with Buyisa e-Bag,
community based tourism and establishment of tourist facilities such as bed and
breakfast. We want to see young people starting their businesses, grow them and
become employers.

The department has also noted with great concern the acute shortage of
marine and air quality scientists. We are confident that the youth will take
advantage of our financial assistance to study towards these fields. We hope
that the gap will be closed in few years time by new graduates. The department
and stakeholders complement each others work. We are pleased and grateful for
the efforts of the National Youth Commission, non governmental organisations
(NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and all youth who were involved in
developing this Youth version of the SAEO. There are many reasons why state of
the environment reporting is seen as valuable.

It's most obvious value lies in the transformation of fragmented data into
meaningful and relevant information, which can be used to support
decision-making, teaching and awareness-raising. In general, existing data are
project specific, and research generally sector based. This means that it is
more likely that decision-making will have to take place without access to the
most appropriate and sound information. State of the environment reporting also
play a valuable role in linking the scientist or knowledge generator and the
information user or decision maker.

The South Africa Environment Outlook provides a detailed assessment of the
condition of South Africa's environment. It describes the main drivers of
change, identifies trends and notes current responses to environmental change.
It reports on a range of environmental indicators and where possible, analyses
environmental change since the country's first national State of the
Environment Report released in 1999. The report recommends a range of options
for action for improving the state of our environment. In so doing, the report
moves the debate beyond the present into the future.

In this way the South Africa Environment Outlook fills an important gap
about the status of the environment upon which we all depend. It also provides
a sound-and-solid scientific basis for policy making in our rich and
extraordinary country. The Youth version of the SAEO will assist as a first
step in initiating programmes to promote participation by youth in integrating
environmental management into all aspects of living on planet Earth.

Use the information contained in this publication to make a difference in
your school or community. Together, using the knowledge presented in the South
Africa Environment Outlook and the Youth version of the South Africa
Environment Outlook and related reports, we can alter the way of doing
business. I ask you to join me in this journey.

Thank you.

Issued by: Department of Environmental and Affairs
26 October 2007