Speech notes for Mrs Sylvia Lucas, MEC for Environment and Nature Conservation at the official launch of the Greening My Neighbourhood, Ritchie

Program Director
The MEC for Transport and Safety Liaison, Mr Patrick Mabilo
Portfolio Committee Members of the Provincial Legislature
The Executive Mayor of Sol Plaatje Municipality and chairperson of the Women in Environment Committee, Mrs Agnes Ntlangula
The Executive Mayor of Francis Baard District, Mrs Khadi Moloi
Senior Management of the Department of Environment and Nature Conservation
The principal of and staff of Rietrivier Primary School
The principal and staff of Kgabang Primary School
The principal and staff of Rietvale Senior Secondary School
Members of the school’s governing bodies
Ladies and genetlemen
And most importantly Grade 7, 8 and 9 learners of Ritchie.

Program Director it is an honour and pleasure to participate in this ground breaking event today which falls within the annual celebration of Arbor week.

It also takes place at a time when we have just emerged from celebrating Women’s Month and it is perhaps opportune to remind us all that dignity and respect to women is a priceless commodity, that just like our environment, is an asset that women should not easily trade.

The area where we are gathered today has more than its fair share of abuse of women of all ages and this must stop. We are aware of incidents of such abuse even amongst teenagers, which must be nipped in the bud.

One of the greatest dividends of South Africa’s 1994 democratic breakthrough has been a heightened realisation of the position of women in the value chain of power in South Africa.

At the start of today’s proceedings four young women from the Kimberley Technical High School led us in the singing of the national anthem. They are temporary part of the department’s environment team, shadowing staff members, getting involved in projects and learning more about the real world of work, so that they can make informed career choices as well as to gain much valuable practical skills.

While not for one moment ignoring the role of men, we do recognise that previously male dominated career paths must be significantly changed and mechanisms put in place as we strive to empower women and the girl child.

The environment and its related green economy will play a significant role in the future of the Northern Cape. This province will undoubtedly play the major role in the roll-out of alternative energy in the country. A series of solar and wind driven power plants are set to be established in this province providing thousands of job opportunities. The young people standing here today have a unique opportunity to equip themselves with the necessary skills and education to play a role in these industries. We will only have ourselves to blame if we do not make use of these opportunities.

The Department of Environment and Nature Conservation in conjunction with the national Department of Environmental Affairs will soon be launching the Youth Environmental Services programme, where 100 of the province’s youth will annually be undertaking training in aspects such as the future needs of our nature reserves both in the form of rangers as well as need for computer and marketing trained front of house tourism staff) Community Based Natural Resource management needs; conservation of the coastal corridors, establishment of conservancies in Siyanda and John Taolo Gaetsewe, focused awareness of illegal fishing and setting up the infra-structure to monitor illegal and unregulated offshore fishing.

The environment thus, Programme Director, will increasingly play a role in the our fight to end poverty and provide a better life for all.

In like vein we are meeting here today to launch the most ambitious environmental tree planting project yet in the Northern Cape. By so doing we hope to start the movement to change the grey and drab surroundings of townships and township schools forever.

The focal point of the project is to create awareness for a clean and green environment, biodiversity conservation and community involvement training and upliftment.

We will strive for the following outcomes:

• Cleaning of the environment and community participation to keep it in that condition.
• The planting of indigenous trees and greening of the environment.
• The planting of fruit trees as a means of sustenance.
• Community education and training on nature conservation and the economical use of water.
• Creation of 119 EPWP jobs.

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 are being 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 is being managed and driven by a partnership between Department of Environment and Nature Conversation (DENC), Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the Municipalities, and the community.

The tasks of the partnership are clearly defined:

• The Municipalities will assist with the overall supervision, in conjunction with DENC (In each District).
• In this first phase the following areas are being targeted in the Francis Baard district :

• The project is also being rolled out in Namakwa (33 ), Siyanda ( 26 ), John Taolo Gaetsewe ( 6) and Pixley ka Seme (23 ). The DENC (In each District) will be overseeing the Environmental Education and awareness raising and Tree planting operation of the project.
• The municipalities and the community are assisting with the recruitment of workers.
• A worker will be appointed in each of the identified townships. These workers will be engaged for two to three days a week for 26 weeks.
• DAFF has agreed to provide the trees at greatly reduced prices, while other trees will be purchased from private nurseries at negotiated prices.
• DENC (In each District) and the Municipalities will facilitate the project and take responsibility for training of workers.

DENC will be responsible for the provision of materials and equipment and the general administration of the project.

The project will be funded by incentive grants earned by the Environmental Empowerment Services directorate of DENC.

The project will involve on the job training and also include life–style training such as:

Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational Health and Safety awareness training which aims to assist individuals to identify possible hazards within their household and the surrounding areas. The general awareness of the hazards can alleviate many accidents caused by negligence.

First aid training level 1, 2 and 3

Most Northern Cape residents live far from the essential services they require during an emergency. Training beneficiaries on First Aid in these towns may save lives with the basic knowledge that this type of training offers.

Fire Awareness

Most of the people living in rural areas live below the breadline and they make use of hazardous items i.e. paraffin, candles and gas. This type of training could benefit these beneficiaries as it would make them aware of the dangers or hazards when working with open fires.

Personal finance management

Personal finance management is a mandatory component for all individuals. The objective of this training is to empower beneficiaries to work with the income they receive, introduction to budgeting and how important saving money is.

Alcohol Awareness

Alcohol abuse is crippling the Northern Cape communities. Alcohol awareness aims to strengthen and develop parents and youth with quality of life, protects and improves the lives for themselves as well as their children. Making the individuals aware and providing a deeper understanding of alcohol abuse, will aid in them finding the root of the problems.

We are all our brother’s keeper. We will therefore be using this opportunity to inculcate a special value system. We believe that all of us should reflect on the role we are playing to create the South Africa of our collective dreams. None of us should be prepared to only draw from the pleasures and benefits which the new South Africa offers, whilst leaving the rest to be still condemned to poverty, inequality and living in soulless, grey and drab areas.

I thank you.