8 October 2007
"Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) have invaded over 10 million hectares of South
Africa and because they multiply so fast if left unchecked, the problem could
double in the next 15 years," said Mandisa Mangqalaza, General Manager of the
Working for Water (WfW) programme.
Mangqalaza added, "In order to protect our natural resources the programme
is calling on communities to be more aware of and take responsibility for
removing IAPs. We are encouraging communities to safeguard their natural
heritage by planting indigenous species. The theme for WeedBuster Week, which
takes place from the 8 to 12 October 2007, is "Protect Our Natural
Resources".
Working for Water is Government's flagship of Expanded Public Works
Programme (EPWP). The clearing of Invasive Alien Plants during the 2006/07
financial year has yielded an estimated release of 48 to 56 million cubic
meters of additional water for alternative uses annually. Over 30 000
previously unemployed beneficiaries receive employment and training through the
programme annually.
According to Mangqalaza, The Working for Water programme has also
spearheaded a massive catchment rehabilitation programme of more than 300
clearing sites, in addition to work on aquatic weeds and the use of biological
control agents and has established programmes in eight fire-prone regions of
South Africa.
Up to date the programme has more or less 3 700 beneficiaries.
WeedBuster Week represents the annual culmination and highlight of the
ongoing campaign aimed at the management and containment of Invasive Alien
Plants. The campaign is a multi-departmental initiative led by the Department
of Water Affairs and Forestry through the Working for Water (WfW) programme,
and supported by various partners and stakeholders. The South African campaign
is linked bi-laterally to invasive plant control initiatives by countries such
as Australia and New Zealand, and multi-laterally to the broader Global
Invasive Species Programme (GISP) and other structures and frameworks.
Mangqalaza said, "Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) are vigorous growers which
are introduced into foreign countries where they take over from indigenous
species. IAPs are highly adaptable and can invade a wide range of ecological
niches. They have few natural enemies, mature and bear enormous amounts of
seeds within a few years and their growth outstrips that of local plants. They
crowd out local plants to the detriment of the environment and economies. Of
most concern in South Africa is the fact that most of these species consume
vast amounts of water."
Experts maintain that more than 7 percent of all water run-off is lost to
alien plants. That's some 3,3 billion cubic metres of water in excess of that
used by indigenous vegetation every year.
In addition, IAPs destroy the ecological balance and impact negatively on
the hydrological functioning of large water catchment areas, a severe problem
in water-scarce South Africa.
The incremental water use of alien plants has been estimated at 3,300
million cubic metres a year. This volume is equivalent to the mean annual
run-off of the Vaal River. This is an enormous amount of water when one
considers that the Vaal River supplies South Africa's biggest urban centre.
Invading Alien Plants use nearly three times more water than commercial
forestry. IAPs intensify flooding and cause erosion. This destroys riverbanks
and leads to the siltation of dams and estuaries, and consequently poor water
quality.
This WeedBuster Week you can "Protect our Natural Resources" by:
* planting indigenous plant species
* talking to your neighbours, so that your land is not invaded as a result of
"seed pollution" from invasive alien plants on your neighbours' land
* not buying invasive alien plants from nurseries and other outlets
* not bringing foreign plants or animals into our country (or take our plants
and animals to other countries)
* joining a volunteer clearing "hacking" group, and adopting a piece of land to
keep it clear
* encouraging your local authority, agricultural union, school, church,
community bodies and others to work with the WfW programme
* remembering that a "stitch in time saves nine", the sooner the work is done,
the less it will cost, and the lower the damage
* contacting the WfW programme on 0800 005 376, for advice on invasive alien
plants and how best to remove these species.
The activities will take place as follows:
Host: Soutpansberg area
Date: 8 October 2007
Venue: Capricorn Tollgate
Focus: Raise public awareness about the impact of invasive alien plant
species
Activities: Awareness in tollgates
Date: 9 October 2007
Venue: Baobao Tollgate (Musina)
Focus: Raise public awareness about the impact of invasive alien plant
species
Activities: Awareness in tollgates
Date: 10 October 2007
Venue: Makhado (Thohoyandou)
Focus: Provide public with information and skills required to play a
responsible role in safeguarding water resource in particular and natural
heritage in general
Activities: Exhibition
Date: 11 October 2007
Venue: Nurseries
Focus: To encourage nurseries to sell and protect indigenous plants
Activities: Visit nurseries
Date: 12 October 2007
Venue: Albasini
Focus: To foster land owners and community leaders to be aware of the threat
posed by the spread of IAP
Activities: Information session
Host: Waterburg area
Date: 8 October 2007
Venue: Three schools in Mookgopong
Focus: Distribution of information to the students for them to make it
available to their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 9 October 2007
Venue: School at Modimolle
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 10 October 2007
Venue: School at Mabatlane
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 11 October 2007
Venue: Post Offices: Mabatlane, Mookgopong, Modimolle
Focus: Make information available to the local communities through
pamphlets
Activities: Distribution of pamphlets and posters
Date: 12 October 2007
Venue: Waterburg (Kranskop tollgate)
Focus: Raise public awareness about the impact of invasive alien plant
species
Activities: Raise public awareness about the impact of invasive alien plant
species
Host: Tzaneen
Date: 11 October 2007
Venue: Tzangeni crossing
Focus: Make information available to the local communities through
pamphlets
Activities: Information desk
Date: 16 October 2007
Venue: Wolkberg project
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 17 October 2007
Venue: Letaba project
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 19 October 2007
Venue: Mamathola project
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 23 October 2007
Venue: Lekgala meetse
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 25 October 2007
Venue: Gravelotte
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 30 October 2007
Venue: Modjadji
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 1 November 2007
Venue: Tzaneen
Focus: To foster land ownership of the challenge of controlling the spread of
invasive alien plants
Activities: Information session with landowners
Host: Groblersdal area
Date: 19 September 2007
Venue: At school
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 26 September 2007
Venue: At school
Focus: Distribution of information to students for them to make it available to
their parents
Activities: Presentation
Date: 3 to 4 October 2007
Venue: Groblersdal, Middelburg and Stofberg
Focus: Make information available to the local communities through
pamphlets
Activities: Distribution of pamphlets and posters
Date: 5 October 2007
Venue: Tollgate
Focus: Raise public awareness about the impact of invasive alien plant
species
Activities: Awareness in tollgates
Date: Ongoing
Venue: AC meeting and other stakeholders
Focus: Make information available to the local communities through
pamphlets
Activities: Distribution pf pamphlets and posters
Media Enquiries:
M L Matlala
Tel: 015 290 1456
Cell: 083 633 6632
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
8 October 2007
