Following on the announcement of President Jacob Zuma on 10 May 2009, that the structure of government will be re-organised to make the state machinery more efficient and more service delivery oriented the process of transfer of responsibilities between the various affected departments and the constitution of the relevant departments has begun.
As a result of this re-organisation, the environmental affairs portfolio of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is to be placed under a newly created Department of Water and Environmental Affairs under Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabhudafhasi.
It was also announced that marine and coastal management functions will be moved to the new Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under Minister Tina Jumat Peterson and Deputy Minister Pieter Mulder.
The announcement by the president also creates a separate Department of Tourism under Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk and Deputy Minister Thokozile Xasa.
All the above line functions, responsibilities and services will continue to be rendered from the existing offices until further notice
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
13 May 2009
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
