The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa and Mr Andries Gamede, MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs in Mpumalanga will lead the combined World Environment Day (WED) and World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) celebration at the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in Mpumalanga on Friday 03 June 2016.
This United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has set the theme for World Environment Day, 5 June as, "Go Wild for Life: Zero tolerance for the illegal wildlife trade." In South Africa, June is dedicated to Environment Month.
“Inclusive cooperation for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality” is the 2016 theme as declared by the United Nations for the World Day to Combat Desertification on 17 June.
Both the WED and the WDCD are annual events established by the United Nations General Assembly to educate and raise awareness on environmental conservation, land degradation, desertification and drought.
Minister Molewa will hand over completed renovations that have been constructed through the Department’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) as part of the People and Park projects. At least 208 employment opportunities were created for the people living in and around the Nature Reserve, during the building process. The project is aimed at upgrading dilapidated facilities within the reserve for better accommodation of the reserve staff and tourists alike.
Members of the media are invited to attend the launch as per the details below:
Date: 3 June 2016
Venue: Cottondale Sport Ground, Andover Village
Time: 9h00
NB: Transport will be provided for the media from Nelspruit to the event. Members of the media who will require transport should indicate on or before 01 June 2016.
To RSVP, contact:
Sibusiso Mkhulisi on 012 399 8992 / SMkhulisi@environment.gov.za
Ernest Mulibana on 082 263 7372 / EMulibana@environment.gov.za
For media enqueries:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
