In keeping with a commitment made at the Municipal Indaba on Environment in July this year, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica today launched a cleaning and greening programme - Buyisela (Eco-Towns Programme) - in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
The initiative is a partnership between the Departments of Environmental Affairs, Water Affairs, Indalo Yethu and Buyisa eBag which aims to, during the pilot phase, create ten eco-towns modeled on sustainability as a legacy project which will serve as framework blueprint for other towns to follow. Buyisela seeks to supplement the municipal street cleaning efforts, clear up all hotspots, establish landfill sites where there aren't any, clean and rehabilitate dumpsites, and encourage recycling as part of efforts to stop the throw away mentality.
"Today we are launching Buyisela (Eco-towns) in Mthatha with the sole objective of giving our townships and villages a new beginning. Buyisela means giving back or restoring, which in essence captures the thrust of cleaning and greening efforts which go beyond just lawns and trees, but also creates recreational spaces for our people to enjoy their neighbourhoods while also clearing these open spaces which could have been a breeding ground for criminal activities," said Buyelwa Sonjica, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs at the launch.
R400 million has been set aside for the Buyisela initiative which will be split equally among the proposed pilot sites, with R40 million set aside for the cleaning and greening of Mthatha. In addition the department has also set aside an amount of R27 million which is aimed at rehabilitation of the dump site and the creation of a new waste management site in Mthata.
Minister Sonjica stressed that biodiversity, i.e. protecting, conserving and enhancing our local environment, was not about a few endangered species. "Biodiversity is the building block of life that sustains all ecosystems that underpins service delivery. However, our ability to deliver on these fundamental development services, at all levels, as well as improve service delivery is being persistently undermined by the short, medium and long term impacts of climate change," she said.
The Minister emphasised that restoration of degraded ecosystems will increase the ability of ecosystems to withstand climate change and adapt naturally. *It will cost South Africa a lot more in the future if we don*t act now. As we said in June during the celebration of Environment Month, South Africa must act now to combat Climate Change.
Investing in the ecological infrastructure of this country is as important as building schools, roads, hospitals and houses. We need to bring biodiversity into focus and understand the connections between what is happening on our planet and society at large. We need to use our Biodiversity, our ecological infrastructure, as a self reliant instrument to combat climate change,* she highlighted.
For media queries contact:
Departmental Media Liaison Officer: Moses Rannditsheni
Cell: 079 948 5513
Media Liaison Officer for Minister Sonjica : Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
KSD Municipality Communication Manager: Sonwabo Mampoza
Cell: 073 488 1556
Fact sheet
A R6 million extreme eco-park makeover in Mthatha was one of the key activities that marked the launch. The transformation took place over a period of 24 hours. Tree planting, vigorous street cleaning, waste management, river rehabilitation and environmental education further characterized the official launch.
The extreme park make over of Waterfall Park in Ngangelizwe township entailed the creation of a park from a previously open and derelict space into an eco-park. The final product consists of trees, paving, playground with equipment, ablution facilities, water points and lighting. The eco-park * developed in partnership with the Jo'burg City Parks- was developed by more than 100 residents and local contractors. This facelift provides recreational facilities in a green, safe and healthy multipurpose landscaped environment.
The design approach of the Park was complemented by broader community awareness.
Waste management is a key focal point of the project. A poorly managed waste site was at the centre of a rehabilitation initiative. The site was identified in conjunction with KSD Municipality as requiring attention. Rubbish was overflowing and it was not well managed. The site has since been cleared of the waste and a process of constructing a proper landfill site has started. 300 once off short term employment opportunities were created.
Parts of the Mthatha River were identified as requiring attention.
Spearheaded by the Department of Water Affairs and the Municipality, the removal of alien and invasive species was targeted. 150 trees were planted in Savoy Park.
Issued by: Department Of Environmental Affairs
29 October 2009
