The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson, will visit a "land rehabilitation project" funded through the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Working for Land Programme as part of the commemorations for World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) 2015 in Nquthu, Kwa-Zulu Natal on 11 August 2015.
The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution which proclaimed 17 June as World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD). Through coordination by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), the celebration of WDCD has been an annual celebration on South Africa’s environmental calendar since 1995.
The theme for 2015 is “Attainment of food security for all through sustainable food systems” which will be used in combination with the slogan “No such thing as a free lunch. Invest in healthy soils”. It promotes the eradication of hunger and encourages sustainable use of ecosystems to combat desertification.
The KZN Nquthu Land Rehabilitation Project is aimed at rehabilitating the land through the sloping of dongas, construction of gabions, planting of vetiver grass and planting of 1000 indigenous trees in the area. The project is one of the projects funded through the DEA Working for Land Programme in the area. KwaZulu-Natal is one of the provinces that is severely affected by land degradation, desertification and the effects of drought.
While the event did not take place on 17 June, It is being commemorated on 11 August to highlight the important issue of land degradation and desertification.
The Deputy Minister will be joined by the Executive Mayor of Umzinyathi District Municipality Cllr James Mthethwa, Executive Mayor of Nquthu, Cllr Emily Molefe, MEC for National Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Cyril Xaba, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
Media is invited to attend:
Date: Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Time: 10h00
Venue: Mpumelelweni Community Hall, Nquthu, Kwazulu-Natal.
RSVP:
Sithokozile-Banele Mabena
Cell: 073 297 9409
Tel: 012 399 9989
E-mail: SMabena@environment.gov.za
Lebogang Maseko
Cell: 062 365 9978
Tel: 012 399 8992
E-mail: LMaseko@environment.gov.za
For media queries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
