Rejoice Mabudafhasi, the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs has officially launched the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) today.
The EAPASA launch, which was attended by about 800 people, took place at CSIR ICC in Pretoria. The proceedings were also webcast live to Durban (Riverside Hotel) and Cape Town (Breakwater Lodge).
Speaking at the launch, Mabudafhasi said that the Department of Environmental Affairs has committed itself to put in place a system for integrated environmental impact management and assessment within the context of the principles of sustainable development.
"This system will introduce a combination of initiatives and interventions which includes introducing a framework of alternative tools and systems to enhance and compliment the current Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system, developing and maintaining capacity, law reform and the integration of regulatory processes and coordination between organs of state.”
She adds, "It is our vision that this new system will address the shortcomings of the current system and optimise those aspects of efficiency and effectiveness already achieved, through both voluntary and regulated instruments being applied in the most effective and efficient manner. It is our vision that this system will be supported by sufficiently capacitated, skilled and experienced practitioners in all the relevant sectors and that all stakeholders are equally committed to make it work not only government, but also environmental assessment practitioners, developers and communities."
The purpose of the Association is to promote the public interest through the advancement of the quality of environmental assessment practice in South Africa by establishing, promoting and maintaining registration of Environmental Assessment Practitioners in terms of section 24H of the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998.
In November 2005, the former Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the Interim Certification Board (ICB) for Environmental Assessment Practitioners of South Africa (representing 17 organisations) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which enabled a broad Consultative Process for the establishment of an Environmental Assessment Practitioners’ Association, which is proposed to act as a Registration Authority for EAPs in South Africa.
For a Registration Authority to perform an effective quality assurance role in environmental practice in South Africa, certain outcomes need to be achieved which include: the establishment of a representative and recognised Association that would be recognised as a Registration Authority in terms of section 24H of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the registration of a qualification for environmental assessment practice within the National Qualifications Framework in collaboration with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the conclusion of relevant enabling legal mechanisms making it compulsoryfor EAPs to be registered.
Mabudafhasi said: “The proposed system for registration for environmental assessment practitioners has been modelled in international best practice, not only will professionals need to meet criteria for competence, experience and ethics, they will also need to commit to continuing professional development.”
Mabudafhasi also acknowledged that there is still a lot of work to be done and can only be achieved through working together with all stakeholders- environmental assessment practitioners and government.
For media enquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
E-mail: AModise@environment.gov.za
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
