Speech delivered by the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Hon. Ms Makhotso Sotyu (MP) during the clean-up and greening activity and handing over of personal protective equipment to the cleaning and greening in-house model participants in Bothaville, Free State
Programme director
Executive Mayor of Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Cllr. Veronica Ntakumbana;
Mayor of Nala Local Municipality, Cllr. Nozililo Mashiya;
Officials from the DFFE;
Our In-House Model participants;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen;
I am joyful to be back here at Lejweleputswa District Municipality to execute our Constitutional mandate.
The Constitution of South Africa guarantees everyone the right of access to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being and to have the natural environment protected for the benefit of current and future generations.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is entrusted with a crucial legislative mandate to ensure that all citizens of the Republic of South Africa live in an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being.
The Department is also mandated to ensure that natural resources are used in a sustainable manner to prevent deterioration in the quality of the environment, that may result in loss of essential ecological functions and scarcity for future generations.
The collaborative effort between the Departmentof Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and Lejweleputswa District and Nala LocalMunicipalities aims to emphasize the importance of active citizenry involvement in safeguarding natural resources and curbing waste pollution in communities.
What we are doing here today epitomizes the Good Green Deeds programme, a ground-breaking Presidential initiative that seeks to mobilize all sectors of South Africa to become more environmentally conscious, leading to a deal for nature.
The Good Green Deeds programme seeks to change people’s attitudes, behaviours towards responsible management of waste, and keeping their neighbourhoods clean, green and safe.
All South Africans have the responsibility to ensure that their environment is clean, green and habitable. Poor waste management poses health and environmental risks. Everyone can do something to attain clean-living spaces.
This is a clarion call to all sectors in society to do their part to contribute to Good Green Deeds. Where there is litter, society is urged to work together to clear litter and rubble that threatens our efforts to build a healthy South Africa.
Illegal dumping and littering are some of the most common problems in South Africa and affect all municipalities alike, irrespective of the size and extent of the area. The prevalence of ineffective waste management practices is being witnessed in many parts of the country.
This trend, unfortunately, affects the well-being of communities, as it has indeed resulted in the mushrooming of pockets of illegal dumping and littering sites.
More emphasis is required to ensure that citizens are mobilized to take a firm position against such activities in their respective communities.
Our team from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment working together with the provincial Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Lejweleputswa District Municipality and Nala Local Municipality, has spent the past few days conducting clean-up and greening activities at different identified spots in this municipality.
I am here to handover the personal protective equipment (PPE) to the In-House Model participants to heighten the cleaning and greening programme while we deepen our partnership with the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.
I am also going to lead a clean up and greening activity in a quest to galvanize communities to take action against littering and illegal dumping.
Through the Environmental Programmes, we have conceptualised the In-House model which allows the Department to implement and manage its projects using its own staff.
This model enables the Department to employ more Expanded Public works Programme (EPWP)participants due to ‘savings’ on project management fees. It enables the Department to be in control and ensures timely payment of wages.
The In-House model facilitates direct partnership with local government. In so doing, the Department pays stipends, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and Compensation for Occupation Injuries and Diseases (COID) whilst the municipalities provide PPE, tools of trade and commit to pick up collected waste.
This is a true partnership in that both parties are accountable for the success of the programme.
I am pleased to announce that we have recruited 517 participants as part of the In-House Model to address service delivery and waste management in partnership with the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.
In conclusion, I would like to leave you with this message.
The small act of picking up a wrapper / paper / plastic in your neighbourhood, could be the start of something amazing in your country.
Don’t litter, preserve the earth, safeguard your future!
I thank you all.
