Today, the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, together with the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Nandi Mayathula-Khoza and City of Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor, Mr Mondli Gungubele embarked on the Winter Clean Fires Campaign, in Etwatwa, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng.
Air pollution in South Africa is a major concern, especially in dense and low income communities. Research studies conducted recently, in particularly the baseline characterisation for the Vaal Triangle Air Quality Management Plan has pointed out that household fuel burning also contributes significantly to poor air quality.
It has been established that many people living in these dense and low-income communities continue to use wood and coal as they are most affordable means of energy. People living and working in these communities where coal and wood is used as a fuel are often exposed to air quality that is harmful to their health and well-being as coal and wood burning emits various pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), particulates matter, carbon monoxide (CO), etc.
Basa njengo Magogo (BnM) or make fire like the granny – is a ‘top-down’ method of making coal fire discovered by Granny Maria “Nobelungu” Mashinini of eMbalenhle, Secunda.
The BNM method is comprised of five easy steps as follows:
- Step 1: put coal first in imbawula or stove or on the ground
- Step 2: place paper on top of the coal
- Step 3: put wood on top of the paper
- Step 4: then light your fire and wait for the wood to catch the fire
- Step 5: put a few handful of coals on top
BnM method underwent a series of laboratory tests and it was proven scientifically by Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that this method reduces smoke emissions by 80%.
Speaking at the launch Mabudafhasi said, “the objectives of Basa njengo Magogo rollout are to make people aware of the cleaner fire-making methodology, to provide BnM practical training for affected communities and encourage them to implement the methodology in their own homes when making coal fires and to address the level of air pollution in communities that use coal especially in dense low-income communities that use coal fires for cooking and space heating about the impacts of pollution from these fuels, to their health and wellbeing.
“With this method the fire in the stove or imbawula will be ready for use much sooner, it will save you coal and money, it will burn longer, your health will improve and you will be able to see longer distances due to the massive reduction of smoke emissions,” said Mabudafhasi.
“The BnM method is being rolled-out in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Free State provinces in areas where coal usage is at its highest which leads to air pollution resulting from household coal burning and other industrial sources,” said Mabudafhasi.
Enquiries
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
