The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson will on Tuesday, 16 September 2014 host a World Ozone Day commemoration with the communities and learners within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
World Ozone Day is a product of the Montreal Protocol Convention under the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), seeking to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the ozone reducing substances. South Africa is party to both the Vienna Convention for the protection of Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the ozone layer.
The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated annually on the 16th of September. This day has been marked by the UNEP to commemorate 16 September 1987, when a group of twenty-four countries came together and signed the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. This year World Ozone Day celebrations will take place under the theme “Ozone Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On.”
This event intends to raise awareness on harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Through this event the Department also seeks to encourage, inform and prepare the learners in Eastern Cape to pursue careers on chemicals management to ensure that amongst others the mission of ensuring protection of the ozone layer is continued.
The Deputy Minister will be accompanied by the Executive Mayor Cllr Zukiswa Ncita, MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sakhumzi Somyo and MMCs.
Media are invited to attend the launch as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Time: 11h00 to 13h00
Venue: Eco Park, Mdantsane, East London
To RSVP kindly contact:
Duncan Senye
Cell: 082 604 7055
Tel: 012 399 9976
Email: dsenye@environment.gov.za
Thembile Ngcobo
Cell: 071 273 6102
Tel: 012 399 9986
Email: tngcobo@environment.gov.za
For media enquiries:
Albi Modise
Spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Affairs
Cell: 083 490 2871
