The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, will lead the 10 year anniversary celebration of the South African Weather Service as a government parastatal and its accreditation as World Meteorological Organisation Regional Training Centre on Friday, 15 July 2011.
Over the past 10 years, the South African Weather Service (SAWS), as an agency of government through the Department of Environmental Affairs has been the authoritative voice for weather, and proactively improved its services to the general public, aviation, insurance and many other weather sensitive industries. It has evolved over the years in terms of technology and skills development.
SAWS technological development is characterised by the first African lightning detection system with the ability to accurately pinpoint lightning strokes within a 600 metre or less radius. It has also upgraded its country wide radar network with 12 Doppler radars and is now able to provide much better information on a very short time scale, severe weather events such as severe thunderstorms, flooding etc.
Whilst celebrating its 10 years as government parastatal, the South African Weather Service remains committed to servicing the South African public.
Media is invited to attend as follows:
Date: 15 July 2011
Venue: SAWS - Bolepi House, 442 Rigel Ave South, Erasmusrand, Pretoria
Time: 10h00
For RSVP and media enquiries:
Modjadji Makoela
Cell: 084 428 1420
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
