Driven by its responsibility to monitor and promote adherence to environmental sustainability principles, the North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Rural Development has recruited 25 greening volunteers whose responsibility is to ensure that people attending the world cup games at the Royal Bafokeng stadium and those who will be watching the games at various public viewing areas and fan parks in the province, adhere to environmental national Green Goals as set out by the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Each district municipality has a certain number of greening volunteers, with a bigger number assigned to promote the objectives of the programme at the host city, Rustenburg.
Some of these greening volunteers are unemployed graduates in the field of environment, whilst some are official members of the environmental youth clubs from across the province. They have all been trained by Tourism World Academy to effectively execute their mandate in various aspects of greening themes.
As Ms Lebo Diale, Director for Environmental Extension and Project Development within the department explains: "the key priority strategies for greening of large events include aspects of climate change and energy, waste reduction and management, water conservation and management, sustainable procurement, biodiversity conservation, eco-friendly transportation, tourism and health.
"The primary objective of these strategies is to minimise the foot prints that the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament would have on the environment during and post the soccer tournament period".
"These greening volunteers will act as environmental ambassadors by raising awareness and providing guidance to the local and international soccer fans on key environmental activities and many other issues that are related to caring for our environment.
"Moreover, they will be conducting a survey on the impact that large events have on the environment, for future planning by the department," added Ms Diale.
Diale says the outcome of the survey should give the department an indication of the level of compliance to environmental policy statements as pronounced by Environmental Affairs Minister regarding the greening of large events like the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
All greening volunteers are excited and ready to put into practice the skill acquired during the week long training. They strongly believe that this training broadened their environmental insight and armed them with the necessary skill to use at any massive event beyond 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament.
These volunteers will during the execution of their mandate, earn themselves R125 per day, as they contribute towards greening environment.
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Rural Development, North West Provincial Government
14 June 2010