Budget Speech By MEC Sylvia Lucas, MPL Vote 13, Environment and Nature Conservation, Northern Cape Provincial Legislature

Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Honourable Acting Premier, Ms Griezelda Cjiekella
Fellow Colleagues in the Executive Council
Honourable Members of the Legislature
Chiefs
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Comrades and Friends

I deliver this Budget Vote Speech against the backdrop of a series of historical and environmental moments including the very successful COP 17 hosted by the Republic of South Africa and remind all the citizens of this beautiful Province that Climate Change and its impact on our natural resources and communities are real and require the development of coordinated and integrated approaches to mitigate and adapt to these impacts.

Honourable Speaker and Members, we are meeting at a time, when the African National Congress – the great Movement of the people – celebrates its first centenary. This is an achievement of no minor proportions. It signifies 100 years of relentless struggle and commitment to freedom and democracy for the people of South Africa.

As we mark the hundred years we must remember, so that we do not forget the path our forebears travelled to this present moment. Their memory, the memory of their struggles, pain, resilience, and heroic words and deeds must remain indelible in us and in those who shall follow. It has often been said that every nation is the sum total of its memory through which it’s present is shaped and its future envisioned. Memory is our weapon.

As we mark the hundred years we must also celebrate. The centennial of the ANC is a hallmark achievement worth celebrating. That our movement has traversed the length and breadth of our country, continent and global village, and has stayed united through turbulent times, consistent to its mission to serve and liberate our people, is a celebration. By celebrating we reaffirm each victory and success we gained and, thereby, negate the atrocities that sought to deny us our human dignity. We are today an elevated people with equal standing as any other peoples in the world.

Speaker, this week South Africa is also obseving Child Protection Week. What environment will they be inheriting?

Ons erfenis is nie net wat ons self skep nie, maar ook dit wat ons van ons voorvaders gekry het. Wat gaan u en ek vir ons kinders nalaat?

Hierdie erfenis is in ons hande. Ons moet dit bewaar – sodat die voordele vir ons nageslag bewaar word. Dit beteken dat elkeen van ons ‘n verantwoordelikheid het om ons omgewing te bewaar, te verbeter en te verfraai. Kom ons plant bome en hou hulle aan die lewe sodat ons nageslag die vrugte en skaduwee daarvan kan geniet.

Kom ons hou elkeen ons omgewing skoon en netjies sodat dit aantreklik is vir besoeker/toeriste.

Ons is vandag hier bymekaar as vry mans, vrouens, jeug en kinders in ‘n demokratiese Suid Afrika. Ons is nie meer ‘n nasie van dompas draers nie, maar vry mense wat in beheer van hulle eie lewens is. Maar wat,...? ja wat,? is ons omgewings nalatanskap aan ons kinders.

South Africa celebrated Africa Day last Friday, 25^th May 2012.Given this year’s theme for Africa Day - “Africa and the Diaspora,” African countries are called upon to focus primarily on challenges facing their daily lives. It is a call that we must continue to unite and fight conflict, poverty, diseases such as HIV and Aids and infant mortality, amongst others. As African people, we acknowledge that conflicts have dispersed us all over our mother continent – Africa, but we must stay united and focused on addressing the challenges we are collectively facing.

One of the greatest challenges of the twentieth century which poses serious threats to us is the advent of climate change. It poses the risk to increased diseases, food security, people being displaced due to rising sea levels, and even to our own existence as the human species.

I will further deal with the issue of climate change later in my speech.

Honourable Speaker and Members, our Strategic plan and budget strives for a sustainable environment and during the planning process for 2012 /13 the department aligned the Annual Performance Plan to Outcome 10: “Environmental assets and natural resources that are well protected and continually enhanced”, and the following key priorities were identified to deliver on the achievement of the mandate of the department as well as Outcome 10 with due consideration of the serious budget challenges experienced:

• Climate Change
• Coastal Management
• Compliance and Enforcement
• Maintenance of Provincial Nature Reserves
• Strengthening Research Capacity
• Strengthening management structures in District Offices
• Communication and Information Communication Technology
• Green jobs through Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)
• Security related to all assets within the mandate of the department.

In looking at the highlights of the past financial year and projecting our activities for the way ahead, it is necessary to do so within the identified Outcome 10 output deliverables.

Output 1: Enhanced quality and quantity of water resources

This year marks 18 years since the ANC Government made the fervent commitment to provide 100 percent access to basic water and sanitation to all our people, and we even made it a constitutional imperative. In 1994 only 59 percent of our people had access to clean and safe drinking water. Today the national average is 94 percent. In the Northern Cape, excluding farm villages, we have achieved an average of 99 percent. I can also proudly report that 88 percent of households in our province have access to basic sanitation.

Water remains a critical resource for life and prosperity. In a water-scarce province such as the Northern Cape we are critically aware of its importance for both man and the environment. While Government including ourselves has focused increasing efforts to communicate the importance of water for our future, it is disheartening to at times see leaking taps or consistent bursting of pipes in the water- network of certain towns and cities resulting in thousands of liters of this golden resource going down the drain.

I believe that the time is long overdue that local governments should be supported so as to enhance their capacity in the water delivery chain.

It is heartening to note that the National Department of Water Affairs (DWA) obtained Non-Revenue Water (NRW) data from all municipalities in the Northern Cape which will enable the setting of Provincial NRW reduction targets for 2014 in the domestic sector.

In addition:

• A Water conservation and Water Demand Management (WCWDM) working group was established which convenes on a quarterly basis.
• The Rapid Response Unit of DWA is also assisting municipalities to draft Water Conservation and Water Demand Management (WCWDM) strategies.
• DWA has funded Renosterberg Municipality to reduce water losses, by replacing leaking water network in Vanderkloof (project in progress)
• The proclamation of the Orange River Mouth as protected area is in process. The project will have huge financial implications to the department and the necessary submission in this regard was forwarded to Provincial Treasury.
• The Department of Environment and Nature Conservation drafted a Review Report on Alluvial vegetation along the Orange River as it is the most threatened vegetation type in the Provinces. The survey is a long term monitoring project whereby the extent of Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA’s) will be verified as part of the development of the Conservation Plan for the Province as well as the monitoring of change detection.

As far as grey water is concerned the Sol Plaatje Municipality has regularly reported to the Department of Water Affairs and the Inter-departmental committee on the refurbishment of the existing Homevale Waste Water Treatment Works and its planned expansions.

The DENC is extremely concerned as the workings of the province’s capital city’s waste water plant has a direct bearing on the future development of Kimberley, the quality and quantity of greywater disposed into Kamfersdam, the stability of the Johannesburg – Kimberley railway main-line as well as the unique habitat of the local flamingo bird community.

Although the refurbishment has been completed key elements such as chlorators are not functioning as envisaged affecting the quality of effluent disposed, while the planned expansion has been delayed by court actions relating to the awarding of certain tenders.

In the meantime the scheme to divert effluent from Kamfersdam has commenced and every effort is being made to complete the first phase so that the effluent can be temporarily diverted to Droogfontein farm in August 2012 with the final diversion completed by end of 2012.

Output 2: Reduced greenhouse gas emission, climate change impacts and improved air/ atmospheric quality

Before we report on our achievements and shortcomings with regards to Climate Change let me share a little experience with all present. We recently visited the city of Rovaniemi in Finland on an official visit. This city is where we actually experienced the midnight sun, meaning that it was never dark at night. But it is not the issue that made me realize that a rising global temperature is a reality, but the fact that the ice around the North Pole have melted to such an extent that it is now possible for the Nordic countries to ferry products on a shorter route through the Northern Sea to Japan and the East. A shorter route, more economic but of grave concern for it is contributing to rising sea levels and the importance of the North Pole icebergs in the ecosystem being diminished.

During the past year the Premier, Mrs. H Jenkins and the department hosted the first ever Northern Cape Provincial Climate Change Summit in Upington. The national Department of Environmental Affairs adopted this as best practice and assisted all other provinces to host similar summits leading up to COP 17.

The Northern Cape community and DENC actively participated in the Climate Train initiative prior to the staging of the International Climate Change Congress in Durban.

The agreement reached in Durban significantly advances the global effort needed to address the global climate change crisis, but also maps out a pathway which could balance climate and development imperatives.

South Africa needs to co-ordinate a process to define the country’s desired emission reduction outcomes. We need to evaluate how changes in climate may affect key sectors such as water, agriculture, forestry and biodiversity.

The department finalised the Northern Cape Draft Climate Change Response Strategy and Provincial Air Quality Management Plan and will be approved by the end of this quarter.

Due to budgetary constraints the department will continue with the finalisation of the Green House Gas (GHG) mitigation plan in 2012/13 and subsequent to availability of funding, initiate implementation during 2013/14.

Managing pollution and waste remains very high on our radar screen, hence we will continue to gather data and maintain the Air Quality Monitoring Networks in identified pollutant areas. The Siyanda District Municipality has been identified to be supported in designing the Air Quality Management Plan. However, due to the increased activities surrounding Climate Change no further work was done on this plan.

It remains a critical tool to inform spatial development planning, and for the reduction of ambient air quality levels of pollution to meet national and international standards.

In the absence of sufficient funding for the procurement and installation of essential air quality monitoring stations in all of the five districts, the department successfully negotiated with the mining industry to install at their cost air quality monitors at their mining operations. Agreements on such monitoring stations were secured with the Kolomela Iron Ore mine in Postmasburg, Idwala Lime in Danielskuil and the BHP Manganese mine in Hotazel.

The terms of reference for the Renewable Energy Strategy have been finalized by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. While the Environmental Authorization process for these initiatives is the responsibility of the Department of Environmental Affairs, the province will be involved in ensuring that the roll-out is to the advantage of its citizens and our environment.   What is clear at this stage is that the Green Economy will in future have a significant role to play in the development of the province.

Output 3: Sustainable Environmental Management

In our quest to manage environmental impact, we will continue to effectively review and authorise applications for Environmental Impact Assessments, in accordance with the applicable legislation and regulations to facilitate sustainable growth and development in our province.

The department will especially be keeping a close eye on the many EIA applications submitted for PV solar plants and wind farms in the Province and will continuously provide updated information to the Provincial Administration as to ensure that our environmental resources remain intact so that it can contribute to the long term socio economic stability of local communities.

The past year the department received 94 Environmental Impact Assessment applications and issued 59 Environmental Authorisations. The department commented on 112 Environmental Management Plan Reports (EMPR’s).

We believe that sustainable development remains central in our planning and execution and therefore we welcome the National Strategy on Sustainable Development adopted last year. The NSSD sets out the country’s sustainable development priorities and actions over the next five years and puts us on a solid policy platform.

Honourable Speaker, let me at the onset express my deepest sympathy with the community of Namaqua district who lost so many of their loved ones the past week in the mining tragedy at Bontekoe near Kleinzee. We support the concerns expressed by the National Minister of Environmental and Water Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, regarding the closing of mines and its devastating effects on the surrounding communities often resulting in illegal mining and consequent tragedies.

In Namaqua we are shocked to discover that even the restoration programme was severely downscaled, leaving virtually everyone out of work. I believe it imperative that this programme, at least should be reinstated immediately so as to create new jobs, making the area safe for the future and preventing illegal mining. In this area alone 200 jobs can be created in this way for the next 10 years. Remember one life lost is one life too many.

Mining and the environment always seem to be at loggerheads and yet they can co-exist.The Kathu area lies at the centre of a burgeoning mining area, raising concern about the future of the important Kathu forest. As this forest is privately owned, the department is busy with negotiations with the private land owner for the proclamation of Kathu Forest as a protected area.

Targeted Waste collection and Recycling continue to play an important role in sustainable environmental management. The Siyanda Waste Recycling Project (called Last Hope) in Upington has so far created 11 Permanent jobs. Waste collectors (5791 men and 2454 women) collectively earned a total of R520 529.63 from selling recyclable waste to the recycling enterprise. The further key success of the project is that it managed to divert 203 041.63 kg of recyclable domestic waste from landfills and streets in Upington.

The department set aside a further R500 00 to complete the Frances Baard District Waste Recycling project and have it fully operational by the end of this quarter.

The “Nama Khoi Waste Recycling Project” (NKWR) in Concordia was successfully launched on 23 November 2011. The project is implemented by the BEE Waste Recycler, Ikwela Recycling CC.

An important spin off from Nama Khoi Waste recycling project is the creation of income opportunities for more people through collection and selling of domestic recyclable waste at the different waste collection sites within surrounding communities. Eleven (11) waste collection sites/centres have already been identified at Springbok, Bergsig, Nababeep, Carolusberg, Kommagas, Kleinzee, Koingnass , Matjieskloof, Waterval and Steinkopf. The Project will create at least 21 jobs.

The department has also conducted 12 workshops on waste management during the financial year and 15 Municipalities have prioritized licensing of their landfill site for the 2011-2014 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The department recently conducted and audit of landfill sites in the province. I can report to you as follows:

• That the province has a total of 168 landfill sites (112 municipal and 54 private).
• Out of the 168, 73 are unlicensed and 95 are licensed.
• To date, the department received 11 landfill license applications with 1 license issued.

The department identified the 15 lowest scoring (poor to very poor) municipalities with regard to environmental content reflected in their Integrated Development Plans (IDP’s) and conducted two hands on support workshops to assist these municipalities with the inclusion of environmental content in IDP’s.

The Namakwa District Environmental Management Framework (EMF) Report was officially launched by the department in Concordia on 23 November 2011 attended by 300 people. The implementation of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District EMF project was completed and will be officially launched in 2012/13. The department will contribute a further R1million for the development of the Pixley ka Seme EMF in this financial year.

Output 4: Protected Biodiversity

The National Biodiversity Assessment was launched last week on 22 May 2012 by the Minister of Environmental and Water Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa. It assesses South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems and will inform, amongst others, our processes for the development of the Provincial Conservation Plan.

As part of increasing the number of hectares of land under conservation to achieve the PGDS target of 6.5%, various submissions for having land proclaimed, notably the one of Tswalu (approximately 100 000ha) as a protected area are currently being considered for approval and gazetting.

The process is on-going and attention is given to those expansions which would not impact financially on the department, mostly privately owned land.

Sustainable natural resource use was regulated and coordinated through the processing and issuing of 2893 biodiversity permits. Revenue to an estimated value of R2, 166 million (from April 2011 to 31 March 2012) was collected through entrance fees at Provincial Nature Reserves, permitting processes and licenses.

The Provincial Nature Reserves received 9082 day visitors and 863 overnight visitors. In the past the tourism facilities in the five provincial nature reserves were largely rustic, severely limiting their tourism potential. With the assistance of the national Department of Environmental Affairs we have embarked on an R174 million facelift of these reserves. In the process temporary work is being provided for more than 1069 persons and also stimulating the local economies of the surrounding towns.

These projects come at a time when the South African Government has identified the green economy as one of the key elements in the new growth path as well as in the industrial policy action plan. It is imperative that we position the environmental sector as a major contributor to job creation and the fight against poverty.

Output 5: Cross-cutting issues

Environmental Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement

Let me also take this opportunity to remind all of us that on Tuesday the 5th June, the global village will observe World Environment Day and June is Environment Month with the theme Green Economy: Does it include you? Our simple call to you on this important day and month is to Switch off – Recycle - Save Water - Plant Trees.

It is our intention, to continue to protect, promote and strengthen enforcement and compliance with all environmental legislation, with specific reference to the National Environmental Management Act, the National Environmental Management Waste Act, and the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act.

Honourable Speaker, I am happy to report that during last year, our Compliance and Enforcement team, amongst others:

Biodiversity Compliance and Enforcement

Effected 11 arrests, confiscating reptiles, 2 vehicles, 2 firearms, a Blouwilde bees, 2 Meerkatt, 1 Scimitar Oryx and 18 kilograms of warthog ivory and also secured fines to the value of R15 500.

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement

Issued 10 Directives and 8 Compliance notices which resulted in illegal activities being stopped. Fines of R415 000 were issued in terms of the Section 24G legislation.

The Programme has had great success in cooperation with the South African Police Services and the national Prosecutions Authority.

This year we will be working on the roll out of Environmental Management Training of Environmental Health Practitioners in District Municipalities as part of the Outcome 10 outputs.

The department is also working on beefing up its criminal enforcement capacity in Environmental Compliance and Enforcement to deal with errant developers.

During the past year a total of 190 cases for non-compliance with environmental and biodiversity legislation were registered and 59 law enforcement actions undertaken.

We will this year capacitate officials in municipalities, and even designate them as Environmental Inspectors to enforce compliance in terms of the National Waste Management Act and Air Quality Act.

Scaling up environmental education and awareness and voluntary activism

During the past year 20 environmental awareness campaigns were conducted with 10674 people attending. Through environmental programmes, outreach visits and presentations a further 26 683 learners, 355 educators and 97 eco-schools were reached and 353 outreach visits to schools and communities were undertaken.

The Department of Environment and Nature Conservation was awarded a certificate as the best performing province with regard to the internationally recognised Eco-Schools programme by Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA).

A total of 97 eco-schools were registered by the department and 2 participation certificates, 44 bronze medals, 23 silver medals and 13 green flag awards were awarded.

We are the only Northern Cape Department which not only received a job creation incentive allocation last year, but was also awarded a disbursement of R758 000 because it had met the job creation target set. The allocation will be utilised towards EPWP programmes during 2012/13.

The department planted and distributed 3245 trees during the past financial year.  This year we will go big and will be launching project “Talafatsa buagisanyi” - which means Greening my neighborhood. It has identified a need for a Green township rejuvenation initiative.

We are still in partnership with Northern Cape municipalities, the Northern Cape regional offices of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and private nurseries to create a green blanket across the province.

The project proposes creating 119 jobs for a period of 9 months. All activities will be labour intensive and the work force will include skilled and unskilled labour. The recruitment of all employees will follow the strict procedures as prescribed in the EPWP guidelines. The 119 employment opportunities equates to approximately 12 852 person-days.

The cleaning and greening and job creation project consists of the following elements:

• A welcoming sign in each of the townships identified followed by rows of indigenous trees on both sides of the roads, schools and in the communities.   In specific cases, fruit trees will also be planted in home gardens as a source of sustainable food supply.
• Trees for the project will be sourced from the Department of Forestry’s nursery in Upington as well as private nurseries throughout the province.
• Temporary jobs will be created during the first phase when holes for the trees are dug, while more sustainable jobs will be created in each area following planting to ensure that the young trees are watered and nourished.
• The planting of the trees will be accompanied by cleaning of the townships and the distribution of leaflets. Environmental Education will thus form an integral part of the Project, as we need to raise awareness to the public.
• Appreciation for nature conservation and waste management.

The project aims to give the present grey and drab townships a green-facelift, especially considering the history of these previously disadvantaged areas and to promote biodiversity initiatives. In so doing we will bring back a measure of civic pride and community upliftment in order to preserve and protect the natural beauty and unique biodiversity of the Northern Cape and to promote the Northern Cape as a leader in Environmental Education.

The department also created 414 work opportunities ranging from training and development practices learnerships, jobs linked to recycling projects, beautification, greening and cleaning of open spaces, renovation of offices for environment and nature conservation as well as the poverty alleviation project in Phillipstown.

Sector skills development

Operational capacity

The department revisited its organisational structure as to find alignment with the reviewed and approved Sector Budget Structure approved in October 2010. The department specifically focussed on ensuring that functions within various programmes are streamlined and regional presence in all of the critical line function operations are enhanced.

The department affected 30 appointments for the financial year, but is still left with a 60% vacancy rate. A further 32 posts were advertised during the last quarter of the 2011/12 financial year and it is expected that all these posts will be filled by end August 2012.

Sector skills development and training

• The sector skills development programme of the Department sustained 10 Internships, 151 Learnerships (Frances Baard = 34, Pixley ka Seme = 28, Namakwa = 25, Siyanda = 34, JT Gaetsewe = 34).
• The department conducted 14 training interventions with 67 staff and 151 learners trained.
• The department sustained bursaries of four Northern Cape based tertiary students in the environment and conservation field, namely: Environmental Science, B Science Botany and BSc Environmental Studies.

Tabling of the Budget Vote

Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members, having outlined the broad plans and priorities for the year, I now have the honour to table Budget Vote 13, Environment and Nature Conservation for 2012/13. The total amount to be appropriated to fund the requirements of Vote 13 this financial year is R 98, 895 million. This amount includes transfers, compensation of employees, goods and services as well as capital payments.

Honourable Speaker, just for noting, the Department receives only 1% of the total Provincial allocation. This is the only Department in the Province with less than a R100 million allocation.

Our budget increased by R252 000.00 only, as R3, 363 million has been taken specifically for our departmental fleet.

The Department received R823 000 for ICT. 31 % (R30,89 million) of the budget is for Goods and Services (operational costs). This includes maintenance of six Nature Reserves and all office rentals.

Be as it may, I still believe that whilst there is always room for improvement, the Department continually strives to do more with less. Despite all budgetary challenges that we are faced with, we remain committed to both the good course of delivering a better and quality service to our people, and to our policy goals and we will not lose sight of the fact that our over-riding objective is to create “a better life for all.” Although the smallest in terms of budget, we are fully aware that a sardine is also a fish.

The budget breakdown per programme for this financial year is as follows:

Programme total allocation

1. Administration- R47, 408 million
2. Environmental Policy, Planning and Coordination-R 7, 902 million
3. Compliance and Enforcement-R7, 980 million
4. Biodiversity Management- R15, 532 million
5. Environmental Quality Management-R11, 878 million
6. Environmental Empowerment Services-R8, 195 million

In conclusion, Honorable Speaker,

Our scientific research capacity needs to be enhanced in order to provide optimum policy instruments; hence we intend to improve our relationships with scientific research institutions as well as moving towards strengthening our internal capacity.

Honourable Members, it is clear that we have a lot of work ahead of us. Equally so, we have recognised that ours is not a journey we can embark on alone. We believe that to achieve most of our goals, we will require support and co-operation from a number of institutions, and our colleagues in the national and local spheres of government, and we call for their partnership.

As I conclude, allow me Honourable Speaker to salute the ruling party, the African National Congress, for continuing to listen to the plight of our people, especially of those marginalised and impoverished. Gratitude also goes to the Honorable Premier Mme Hazel Jenkins, for her selfless contribution, leadership and guidance, also to the acting Premier, Mme Grizelda Cjiekella.

Honourable Speaker, at this stage I would like to sincerely thank:

• My colleagues in the Executive Council and the Provincial Legislature who continue to provide support and encouragement.
• The Chairperson and members of Portfolio Committee on Environment and Nature Conservation and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for their continued support and guidance to the department.
• A special thank you is also extended to the Minister and Director General of the Department of Environmental Affairs for their guidance and support.
• Our sincerest thanks also goes to all our sector departments and private sector stakeholders namely the leadership of the Hunting Industry, in particular Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) and the Northern Cape Branch of the Wildlife Ranchers, the Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust, Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), as well as others that we may have missed, for the good working relations, cooperation and support.
• I am also grateful to the former Head of Department Ms Liz Botes, who has since moved to the Department of Social Development.

My appreciation also goes to the entire teams of both the Office of the MEC, led by Mr. Mandla Ndzilili and the Department headed by, Mr. Denver Van Heerden, for their dedication, unwavering support and commitment. Also to the community of the Northern Cape for the prayers and well-wishes during the time I have been fighting for my life.

Honourable Speaker on behalf of my department we would like to wish our Premier Mme Hazel Jenkins a speedy recovery.

Last, but not least I want to thank my family and friends for their love and support, also Fr. Hindley for his love and mentorship.

I thank you.