Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, will lead the World Meteorological Day celebrations and Weather Awareness Road Show on Thursday, 14 March 2013, in Tol Speelman Town Hall, Upington, Northern Cape.
Each year, on 23 March, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) - a United Nations body consisting of 189 members – and the worldwide meteorological community celebrate World Meteorological Day around a chosen theme. This day commemorates the entry into force of the WMO Convention creating the WMO in 1950.
The theme for World Meteorological Day 2013 is “Watching the Weather to Protect Life and Property”, with the subtheme: “Celebrating 50 Years of World Weather Watch”. The current joint weather awareness road show by the Deputy Minister and the South African Weather Service coincides with the theme for World Meteorological Day, hence it is deemed necessary to combine the World Meteorological Day and the Weather Awareness.
The Northern Cape Province does not frequently experience severe weather, but is prone to extreme conditions. Summers are extremely hot and dry, while winters can be exceptionally cold. Although this area receives low rainfall, it is often affected by downstream flooding by the Orange River, as upstream heavy rain often causes local flooding in agricultural areas adjacent to the Orange River, leading to property damage and personal distress.
Executive Mayor of Siyanda District Municipality, Cllr Gift van Staden will join the Deputy Minister during the World Meteorological Day celebrations and Weather Awareness Road Show.
Media is invited to attend the World Meteorological Day celebrations and Weather Awareness Road Show as follows:
Part one: Visit to homes affected by the Orange River downstream flooding
Date: 14 March 2013
Venue: Pokkieselland Farm
Time: 09h00
Part two: World Meteorological Day Celebrations
Date: 14 March 2013
Venue: Tol Speelman Town Hall, Upington, Northern Cape
Time: 10h00
RSVP:
Xolani Ngqoshela
Tel: 012 310 3078
Cell: 083 630 9519
E-mail: XNgqoshela@environment.gov.za
For media queries contact:
Peter Mbelengwa
(Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister)
Cell: 082 611 8197
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
Kenosi Machepa
(SAWS Spokesperson)
Tel: 012 367 6075
Cell: 083 259 7223?
E-mail: kenosi.machepa@weathersa.co.za
