Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister Mme Rejoice Mabudafhasi is currently on an official visit, in Tokyo, Japan. The visit will be concluded on, 18 February 2010. The Deputy Minister was invited by the government of Japan to share lessons on water resource management, waste management, climate change and biodiversity within the context of strengthening bilateral relations and exploring possible future areas of cooperation between the two countries.
During the intensive week long official visit the Deputy Ministerr met with various government and private sector institutions, and deliberated on issues pertaining to climate change mitigation and adaptation, water resource management, recycling, biodiversity, opportunities for Japanese businesses in eco-friendly related technology and infrastructure, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) programmes in South Africa. JICA has trained many officials from South Africa on water resource management.
Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi embarked on a tour to the Oyama Chemical company, in Oyama City. Oyama Chemical produces fabric / textile from recycled PET bottles. This fabric/textile is used to manufacture Automobile materials (interior material such as seat back material, seat cloth, sun visors, air filter, and floor carpet) and clothes. It is envisaged that if such recycling model can be used in South Africa it will continue to inculcate a culture of waste management, turning waste into wealth, skills development and to create more jobs. She also visited the Kosuzume water purification plant and Isogo Thermal Power Plant.
The integral part of the deputy minister’s official visit was to mobilise Japan to support South Africa towards the Durban COP 17 and beyond. The outcome was the commitment by Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) to fund South African green economy projects that are favourable to impact on the preservation of the global environment such as significantly reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi is expected to be back in South Africa on 19 February
2010.
For media enquiries:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
