Launching the 2009, Cleaner Fires Campaign in Secunda today, Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi lauded the campaign Basa Njengo Magogo as a transitional step towards a sustainable solution to air pollution in dense and low income communities because the overall goal is to achieve a better life for all. Studies conducted recently in the Vaal Triangle Air-Shed Priority Area, of which Secunda forms part of have shown that household fuel burning emissions pose a huge challenge to air quality in South Africa.
The Clean Fires Campaign is aimed at reducing unacceptable consequences of outdoor air pollution which results from the burning of coal in many areas, especially in low income settlements and to raise awareness in households who still use wood and coal as a source of energy on how to make coal fires in a better way.
Secunda forms part of the Highveld Air Quality Priority Area and is the largest priority area under the Air Quality Act. The campaign is the second to be launched by the Department of Environment. The first was launched in 2008 in the Vaal Triangle Priority Area.
The basa njengo magogo methodology has been scientifically proven to reduce emissions by 80 percent. It also takes a shorter time to heat, uses less coal and burns longer. When preparing fire through the Basa Njengo Magogo methodology, one needs to put coal at the bottom, then paper, thereafter wood, and lastly light the fire and place a few lumps of coal on top.
Minister Mabudafhasi added that this campaign must be seen as a catalyst that promotes good working relationships between government, communities and industry in collectively addressing air quality issues in this priority area and dense settlements.
Clean Fires Campaign is an outreach campaign which rolls out the Department of Energy’s, Basa Njengo Magogo(BnM), fire making methodology in National Priority Areas (Vaal Triangle Air shed Priority Area and Highveld Priority Area) in winter 2008 and 2009 with the working title Cleaner Fires Campaign. The Clean Fire Campaign is conducted through partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Departments of Energy, Health, Central Energy Fund, Sedibeng District Municipality, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, City of Johannesburg, the Jupiter Drawing Room, Eskom, Anglo Coal, Sasol, NOVA institute and many more. In support of this the partners will be doing physical demonstrations to show people how to make the coal fire in a better way, basa njengo magogo method.
The department is currently developing a strategy to address air pollution in low income communities through inter governmental technical committee. The strategy will cover the following issues; indoor air quality, energy efficiency and housing as well as affordable and efficient cleaner fuel, energy carriers and conversion technologies. The strategy will also outline interventions to reduce air pollution in low income settlement.
“This event is not just a launch, but a practical learning event where the top down Basa Njengo Magogo fire making methodology will be properly institutionalised within the structures that deal with people on a daily basis,” said Mabudafhasi.
Enquiries:
Moses Randitshenni
Cell: 082 448 2450
Issued by: Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
26 June 2009
