Buyelwa Sonjica, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs will officially launch a cleaning and greening pilot project in Mthatha, Eastern Cape on Thursday, 29 October 2009. The Mthatha launch forms part of the Eco Towns Pilot Project Buyisela.
The project is modelled on sustainability and will amongst others focus on cleaning, greening, waste management and river rehabilitation. The Eco Town programme has risen from the commitment made by Minister Sonjica at the Municipal Indaba on Environment held earlier this year, to create cleaner and greener towns.
Buyisela is aimed at cleaning and greening of the environment while creating employment opportunities and also supporting Municipalities Local Economic Development programmes (LED).
It is envisaged that a pilot project will take place in each province and this will serve as the framework blueprint for other townships and villages to follow.
Minister Sonjica will be joined at the launch by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sicelo Shiceka, Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet who will be accompanied by MEC Mcebisi Jonas and Sicelo Gqobana who are responsible for Economic Affairs and Environment and Local Government and Traditional Affairs, respectively. The Mthatha initiative is a partnership between the Departments of Environmental Affairs, Water Affairs, King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality, Indalo Yethu and Buyisa E-bag.
The details of the launch are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 29 October 2009
Venue: Mthatha Town Hall (proceeding to different sites)
Time: 09h00
The media is invited to attend
RSVP:
Moses Rannditsheni
Tel: 012 310 3901
Cell: 079 948 5513
E-mail: MRannditsheni@deat.gov.za
Judith van der Merwe
Tel: 012 310 3309
Cell: 083 321 2617
E-mail: Jvdmerwe@deat.gov.za
For media queries contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
Roopa Singh
Tel: 012 310 3566
Cell: 082 225 3076
Sonwabo Mampoza
Tel: 047 501 4209
Cell: 073 488 1556
Issued by: Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
26 October 2009
