The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi will on 25 April 2014 hand over renovated facilities at the Sandveld Nature Reserve, in the Free State.
The handover forms part of environmental projects that the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is funding through its Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP). The projects are implemented using labour intensive methods as per the requirements of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and their objective is to ensure that whilst addressing DEA’s environmental mandate, job creation, small business development and skills development opportunities are also created. In the previous and current financial year there have been five such projects implemented within the Nature Reserves in the Free State Province, and the handover of the renovated facilities at Sandveld Nature Reserves is one of these.
The Sandveld project was undertaken with the aim of constructing six new chalets; one new ablution block; the relocation of the caravan park to a new caravan site and electrification; installation of concrete tables; renovation of the existing entrance gate; construction of a street entrance gate wall; as well as the installation of signage in the Reserve. Also forming part of the project were the renovation of ten existing chalets; supplying all chalets with furniture, paving of the parking lot and small portion of the resort; the provision of linen for bedding; renovation of existing ablution block; as well as conversion of the ablution block to chalets.
The project’s implementation started on 13 March 2011 and ended in October 2013. The total project budget amounted to R28 800 000. The project created 195 work opportunities with 76 going to youth, 104 to women and 4 to people with disabilities. The Department has further committed R15 000 000, which will be used for pavement of a five kilometre entrance road.
Media are invited to attend the handover as follows:
Date: 25 April 2014
Venue: Sandveld Nature Reserve
Time: 10h00
To RSVP kindly contact:
Xolani Ngqoshela on 012 310 3078 or XNgqoshela@environment.gov.za
Nwabisa Tsengiwe on 012 310 3198 or NTsengiwe@environment.gov.za
For media enquiries:
Mr Peter Mbelengwa, Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister
Cell: 082 611 8197
Mr Albi Modise, Spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Affairs
Cell: 083 490 2871
