Minister of Environmental Affairs Budget Speech & responses by ANC, DA and IFP

Briefing

14 May 2015

Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, gave her Budget Vote Speech on 14 May 2015.

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Honourable Chairperson of the Session;
Honourable Deputy Minister, Ms Barbara Thomson, MP;
Honourable Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mr Jackson Mthembu, MP;
Honourable Members of the Portfolio Committee;
Honourable Members of Parliament
Distinguished Chairpersons and Chief Executives of Public Entities;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

INTRODUCTION

I have the honour to table the budget, programmes and priorities of the Department of Environmental Affairs Vote for 2015/2016.

This budget reflects our mandate to protect the right of all South Africans to an environment that is not harmful to health and well-being, and further reflects the overwhelming mandate given to the ruling party by South Africans to address the triple challenges of job creation, poverty and inequality.

Our approach has 4 key outcome pillars, firstly to optimise the economic and job creation contribution of the environmental sector; secondly, to transform and transition to a sustainable and equitable society; thirdly, to enhance and safeguard environmental health and integrity; and fourthly to influence the global development agenda.

Next month, we mark World Environment Day; under the theme, “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet”

It is a timely theme, for we know that the negative impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly felt to communities in South Africa, and around the world. And it is the poorest that are most vulnerable.

As concerns for the environment grow, there is a shift globally towards green, climate resilient and low carbon development policies and pathways.

Bolstered by this environmental budget, we have within our grasp the opportunity to transition to a green, sustainable development pathway that prioritizes climate change responses.

GREEN ECONOMY

In ensuring South Africa’s environmental assets are conserved, protected and sustainably used, we will continue to prioritize facilitating sustainable livelihoods for our people.

The environmental sector continues to be a hub of job creation and skills training.

Through our Green Economy strategy we continue to work towards promoting equitable, inclusive, sustained and environmentally sound economic growth and social development: to the benefit of all.

Our Green Economy Strategy has 8 key pillars, namely; green buildings and the built environment; sustainable transport and infrastructure; clean energy and energy efficiency; natural resource conservation and management; sustainable waste management; water management; sustainable consumption and production and agriculture food production and forestry.

As outlined in our Integrated Resource Plan, by 2030 we aim to have sliced our energy demand significantly, through technological innovation, good behavioural practice and public commitment to more efficient, sustainable and equitable energy use.

This includes the development of an efficient, lower-carbon public transport system that makes everyday use of private vehicles an unnecessary extravagance.

By 2030 our houses, offices and commercial building will no longer be energy drains, but rather energy sources- supplying electricity to communities through smart meters and smart grids.

These are just some of the goals laid out in the NDP’s Vision 2030.

Let me turn to the programmes that focus on optimising the economic and job creation contribution of the environmental sector.

A key intervention to facilitate the transition to a green economy has been the establishment of the National Green Fund in 2012.

This Fund provides start-up funding for innovative and high-impact green economy projects that the private sector or banks would not finance - and supports the transition to a greener economy, all the while working on poverty reduction and job creation.

To date, 53 projects have been approved by the Green Fund and include investment, research and capacity building projects.

These projects are yielding positive results in terms of job creation with approximately 8 124 job opportunities created and at least 6 300 individuals trained since 2013.

Green Fund interventions have realised some 30 000 hectares converted to conservation land-use, benefiting landowners within the wildlife economy.

Waste management projects collected and recycled over 8 million kilogrammes of waste in 2014.

This Fund continues to make strides, with the recent approval of major projects within the thematic areas of energy and pilot technology for recycling of plastic, contributing significantly towards the management of plastic waste stream.

In 2012 this fund was allocated an initial amount of R800 million and has been allocated an additional R590 million over the MTEF to continue its work.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our Climate Change Response Policy is being accelerated, guided by the National Development Plan.

The development of the first phase of Desired Emission Reduction Objectives (DERO’s) and Carbon Budgets are well underway. The Carbon Budget system will be introduced in 5-year phases – an initial phase from 2016 to 2020, and the subsequent phases from 2021 onwards.

Our priority focus areas are communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, namely the indigent, the rural dwellers, and women.

Given its demonstrated capacity, the South African National Biodiversity Institute, (SANBI) has been appointed theNational Implementing Entity (NIE) of the Global Adaptation Fund.

Recently launched Adaptation Fund pilot projects include the Greater uMgeni Catchment area in KZN, the Mopani District in Limpopo, and the Namaqua District in Northern Cape.

These projects, to the value of USD 10minclude the enhancement of early warning systems, protecting local communities from extreme weather events, and promoting climate smart agriculture practices.

The South African Weather Service continues to host the Global Atmospheric Watch Station at the Cape Point, one of only three (3) in Africa. This network arose from the need to understand and control the increasing influence of human activity on the global atmosphere and provide climate change information and services.

EPWP ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES

Honourable Speaker,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Last year, we committed to ensuring that we work with existing green sectors to maximize job creation co-benefits. This has largely been through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which the Deputy Minister will go into at length in her address.

Our EPWP budget of over R8 billion over the MTEF period is for the implementation of concrete programmes in the land restoration, water resource and ecosystem service management sectors.

I am pleased to report that we are on course towards the commitment made by the ANC in its manifesto to create 5 million job opportunities.

In the 2014/2015 financial year, work opportunities were created through our EPWP Environmental Programmes.

You will have seen our young people from Working on Fire as they joined the City of Cape Town fire-fighting teams in battling the devastating blazes that engulfed much of the Cape Peninsula just recently.

Theirpart in containing the fires is just part of the work done by these brave, dedicated young South Africans. Our country owes you a great debt, and we salute you!

Besides Working on Fire, we have Working for Water, Working for Wetland, Working for Coasts and the People and Parks programme. They continue to have an impact on not just sustainable rural development and job creation: but also, importantly, climate change adaptation and resilience co-benefits.

WASTE

The waste sector continues to also be a source of job creation co-benefits. The Waste Act regulates waste management to protect health and the environment through measures to prevention pollution, ecological degradation and securing environmentally sustainable development.

Waste, Ladies and Gentlemen, is anything but.

It is an economic concept; with an economic loss every time resources are discarded as waste. The sector is currently valued at around R50bn per annum. A recent CSIR report indicates that at least R25bn worth of ‘value’ is locked up in South Africa’s waste streams, of which we’re sending R17bn to landfill (CSIR report)

Reducing, recovering or minimising waste provides opportunities for socio-economic development; new jobs and businesses; maximising resource recovery for downstream manufacturing growth and reducing reliance on declining natural resources.

South Africa has been identified as one of five emerging markets with “exciting opportunities" in the waste sector, including organic waste, recyclables as well as waste streams from large industrial sectors such as power generation & mining

Just this week, Ladies and Gentlemen, I opened the first Coca Cola approved bottle-to-bottle recycling plant on the continent, right here in Wadeville, in Gauteng province.

Not only is this a locally owned and operated plant, it has created approximately 41 000 income opportunities in the PET bottle collection sector, with many of these recipients women.

An estimated additional 15 000 opportunities have also been opened up in the informal sector, including separation-at-source programmes such as buy-back centres.

The Coca Cola company launded South Africa for taking the lead on the continent in the recycling space, as well as for its role in contributing towards a greener future and a sustainable economy. Also last year, we launched the E-Waste Africa CFL (compact fluorescent light) recycling plant in uMsunduzi, KZN, also the first plant in Africa using such cutting edge technology.

That multinationals are increasingly choosing South Africa as an investment destination of choice in the recycling sector is evidence of the tangible gains being made in pursuit of our green economy strategy.

Another success story has been the waste tyre recycling sector.

In November 2012 I approved the implementation of the REDISA plan, an industry waste tyre management plan. Its objective is to promote the sound management of waste tyres while also contributing to economic growth.

As of December 2014, the following milestones have been achieved:

53143T (31%) of the waste tyres have been diverted away from landfill: either being recycled, used for energy recovery or re-used
1981jobs have been created
181SMME's have been created in transporting, depot operations, processing and micro collectors

In terms of our 2015/16 financial year plans the sector will create 20 additional SMMEs, increase the quantities of the waste tyres diverted away from landfill and create an additional 580 jobs.

Knowing as we do that a critical success factor is the establishment of economic value of these waste resources, a Pricing Strategy for waste management charges is now in place, and a Waste Management Bureau to oversee the disbursement of revenue collected to fund the development of the recycling economy.

We are currently working with National Treasury to implement this strategy.

Initially, a tyre levy will be introduced, which Treasury will be implementing with effect from the last quarter of 2015 through the Customs and Excise Act.

I take this opportunity to announce the initiation of processes for 3 additional Industry Waste Management Plans in the electronics, paper and packaging and the lighting sectors.

We reconfirm our commitment made at the National Waste Summit to develop regulations on separation at source, banning of plastic waste to landfills, a moratorium on new landfill sites; a prohibition of the burning of waste; a regional approach to waste management and disposal; a deposit-return charge on plastic bottles and on how waste charge revenue will fund industry and community initiatives to recycle and recover waste streams.

I will now address programmes and priorities to enhance and safeguard environmental health and integrity.

CHEMICALS

The chemicals sector remains an important contributor to our economy. However, the unmanaged releases of hazardous chemicals into the environment poses significant risk.

My Department has prioritized the development of a sound chemicals management policy, regulation, compliance and implementation programmes for this year.

A further priority will be facilitating the implementation of the secondary asbestos remediation plan. Construction of the asbestos free Mafefe Traditional Council office is underway in Limpopo. The asbestos Khiba School in the Northern Cape has been shut, with a new school scheduled for construction later this year.

AIR QUALITY

Recognizing, we do, that pollution has severe negative impacts on the health of people and communities, and in particular, the poor, the ANC Government continues to advance pro-poor and pro-development laws and regulations.

Industry compliance has been assessed and it is expected that full compliance with the new air quality standards will be attained, without hindering the growth of a sustainable economy.

102 government-owned monitoring stations countrywide send data to the South African Air Quality Information System managed by the South African Weather Services.

BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

Ladies and Gentlemen, South Africans,

Without our richly endowed ecosystem services, natural resources and biodiversity base-there would be limited water, jobs, food, shelter, fuel, and medicine – not to mention the damage to key economic sectors like energy, agriculture and tourism.

Furthermore, the impacts of climate change would easily be multiple times its current effects.

In this context, a priority for this year is growing sustainable, inclusive and transformed biodiversity economies with communities.

We will be hosting a Second Biodiversity Economy Indaba this year to consult with stakeholders on the opportunities, challenges and solutions togrow their contribution to the green economy of the country.

One of the core wildlife economy resources is our strategy to expand the network of national parks, heritage sites, botanical gardens and other public and private protected areas.

These not only provide core areas for the provision of ecosystem services, such as the delivery of clean water, but also provide the base attraction infrastructure for our tourism industry.

In 2014 our National Botanical Gardens received their highest ever number of visitors and own income generated since the establishment of the network more than 100 years ago, exceeding1.8 million, 26.7percent higher than the previous financial year.

In order to enhance the growth in these sectors, we have commenced work to upgrade and develop new revenue generating tourism facilities.

An amount of R950 million has been allocated to SANParks for infrastructural development, while another R42 million has been allocated for road improvements. An additional R12 million has been allocated to repair of SANParks flood damaged infrastructure.

These initiatives don’t just create sustainable employment for many communities adjacent to national parks in remote and rural areas, they also contribute to driving rural and regional sustainable development.

CONSERVATION

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is ironic that our very success in conserving South Africa’s biodiversity, has turned us into a target for unscrupulous operators involved in organized, transnational environmental and wildlife crime.

Whether it is illegal logging or fishing, species smuggling, the dumping of toxic and hazardous waste, or wildlife poaching – environmental crime is often tied to other forms of criminal activity.

For example, South Africa is one of the global hotspots for threatened cycads. Thirty-one percent of South African cycads are classified as Critically Endangered, compared to the global average of 17%. Based on recommendations from SANBI, we will soon release the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Management of Cycads.

Environmental and wildlife crimeresults in devastating impacts on species, ecosystems, sustainable livelihoods, economies, and national and regional security, including the unique and fragile ecosystems and biodiversity that attracts tourists to our shores.

Honourable Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite huge increases in our security investment and international cooperation efforts, rhino poaching continues apace in South Africa. We will continue to intensify the Integrated Strategic Management Approach that was adopted by Cabinet late last year, which continues to yield successes in terms of arrests of suspected poachers, as well as the disruption of criminal syndicates. Our appreciation goes to all South Africans who continue to support us in this fight, including our brave rangers who are at the forefront of fighting poachers in our parks and reserves.

Let us all say; Not on our watch.

Working with our national security agencies, we have strengthened all our national ports of entry and exit, such as international airports and others. The Green Scorpions have been deployed at OR Tambo International Airport to ensure compliance and to undertake enforcement action related to our biodiversity laws and regulations and have already detected non-compliance with the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations related to reptiles, with notices to be issued. Such pro-active joint operations will take place on a regular basis.

OCEANS AND COAST

Our Oceans Policy developed last year identifies economic, commercial, industrial or large-scale livelihood opportunities presented by the sustainable use and management of our oceans.

Led by President Jacob Zuma and guided by the National Development Plan, we launched Operation Phakisa in July last year as a “big fast results mechanism” toseize these oceans economy opportunities.

The implementation of this ocean economy intervention is well underway and a budget allocation of R85 million has been prioritised to develop the Marine Spatial Plan, the Oceans Bill, the establishment of 22 offshore Marine Protected Areas and to support aquaculture development in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Finally, I will now briefly touch on our efforts to influence the global development agenda.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

2015 marks an important year on the United Nations calendar, as the focus shifts towards the adoption of a post-2015 development agenda, and negotiations of a new Finance for Development round - in which South Africa, as the current chair of the Group of 77 plus China will play a significant role.

Poverty eradication was identified as the greatest global challenge and an “indispensable requirement for sustainable development”.

In order to support our national sustainable development effort the Department has mobilized a total of US$ 80 million from international sources over the next 3 years.

USD 30.6 million of this total has already been approved and a further USD49,8 million already endorsed. These internationally supported initiatives will promote among others, organic waste-to-energy and other low-carbon technologies in small and medium-scale enterprises.

CLIMATE CHANGE

South Africa is an active participant in international climate change negotiations ahead of the 21st UN Climate Conference in Paris, in December 2015.

Last year, the 20th UN Climate Conference in Lima, Peru was the penultimate year of the negotiation of a new legal climate agreement set up at the Durban UN Climate Conference in 2011. Here it was agreed that the new climate system under the UNFCCC for the period from 2020 onwards would be legal and applicable to all countries.

We are currently engaged in an intensive public consultation process to develop our Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) to the Paris agreement, which will cover mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation.

We will submit our INDCs well ahead of the 1st October 2015 deadline. The UNFCCC Secretariat has sent messages of appreciation to this august House for having finalised the ratification of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

Work is proceeding for final operationalization of the Green Climate Fund, intended to mobilize significant financial investment support for low carbon and climate resilient development in developing countries.We anticipate that Green Climate Fund will take its first financing decisions by the end of this year.

CONCLUSION

Ladies and Gentlemen, as the milestones highlighted indicate, we as South Africa have much to be proud of with regards to our environmental regime.

At present we are the only African country with presence in Antarctica.

Through the Benguela Current Commission (BCC) we have invited Angola and Namibia to join our Antarctic expeditions to increase Africa’s participation in Antarctica.

This critical work in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean provide South Africa with critical information on ocean dynamics and how these interact with the global climate.

This will increase our capacity for development, adaptation and emergency response planning in the face of a changing global climate patterns.

We are hard at work Moving South Africa Forward, facilitating poverty eradication programmes, promoting inclusive growth through job creation, and above all, preserving the environment for future generations, as mandated by the Constitution of the Republic.

Let us all work together to realize the vision of a cleaner, greener South Africa.

I thank you!

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Speech by Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Homson on Occasion of Tabling of Budget Vote of Department of Environmental Affairs in Old Assembly Chamber

Honourable Chairperson of the session;
Our Honourable Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ma Edna Molewa,
Honourable Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, Mr Jackson Mthembu,
Honourable Members of the Portfolio Committee;
Honourable Members of Parliament;
Distinguished Chairpersons and Chief Executives of Public Entities;

DEA officials, private sector
Distinguished guests;

In 1990, Dr Albie Sachs, a veteran of the ANC and former Constitutional Court Judge wrote “It is not just playing with metaphors to say that we are fighting to free the land, the sky, the waters as well as the people. Apartheid not only degrades the inhabitants of our country, it degrades the earth, the air and the streams. When we say Mayibuye i-Africa we are not only calling for the return of legal title, but also for the restoration of the land, the forest and the atmosphere. The greening of our country is basic to this healing.”

Wildlife economy
Akengithi qaphu-qaphu ngomnotho wasendle lokhu esikubiza nge-wildlife economy. Sizokhumbula ukuthi izwekazi lethu linonile kakhulu ngalokhu esikubiza nge-Biodiversity. La sikhuluma ngempilo yezilwane nezitshalo ikakhulukazi ezimila nezihlala endle. Lezilwane nezitshalo zinomtho ongasukumi phansi. We have more than 10 000 game farms across the country. This wild life economy is currently valued at 8 billion rands and most of this economy is currently in the hands of white ownership. Our challenge is to take this huge economy and spread its benefit in an equal manner so that all our people stand to benefit as informed by the Freedom Charter’s call that the people shall share in the country’s wealth.

Kubalulekile ukuthi sikhumbuzane ukuthi lomnotho sasingawazi, sasingasondeli kuwo ngoba wawuqhoqhobalwe yibona laba ontabakayikhonjwa, bengafuni lutho okusondela ngakuwo. Ngamanye amazwi bona babewogombela kwesabo. Lokhu ke kwakwi yinto embi kakhulu. Wafika uHulumeni ka-African National Congress siyazama ukuyivula iminyango yalomnotho.

We have worked closely with the Department of Rural Development as well as Land Restitution as well as the private sector towards identification and mobilisation of new landowners and emerging wildlife farmers to participate in this lucrative sector. We have received requests from traditional authorities and many farmers across the country to assist with the improvement of their land and establishment of linkages with private partners. Together with the Chief lands claim Commission we have also agreed to restore and develop a minimum of 18 currently redistributed game farms and unproductive communal land into well operated commercial game reserves. Leligatsha liholwa u-Acting DDG Skumsa Mancotywa nethimba lakhe.

Thina siwumnyango sithi kubalulekile ukuthi siwuphule lomgogodla walo mnotho ukuze abantu abamnyama bahlomule nabo. Siyaqhuba siyasembenza.

Waste management
Ake ngithinte kancane kulokhu esikubiza nge-waste management. La sikhuluma ngemfucuza yohlobo lonke. Ontabakayikhonjwa laba bakhela abantu izindlu ezifulelwe nge-asbestos. Basidalela inyakanyaka ongakaze uyibone. Loluhlobo lophahla luyinkinga enkulu ezimpilweni zabantu. Lokhu sikubona ikakhulukazi e-Northern Cape, Limpopo as well and KwaZulu-Natal. Sinohlelo ke siwumnyango wokukhuculula le nyakanyaka eyadalwa yilabo ababedla izambane likapondo. Lolu uhlelo lizodla imali enkulu kakhulu, yingakho sihlanganisa yonke iminyango enthintekayo. Sizokhothama laphaya kwiGreen Fund ukuze sikwazi ukwenza lomsembenzi. Siyazibuza mihla namalanga ukuthi ingabe abantu ikakhulukazi abamnyanma babeyogula kuze kube nini ukube uHulumeni kaKhongolose akazange ahole, ingabe kwakuyoshabalala abantu abangakanani leligatsha liholwa uDDG Mark Gordon nethimba lakhe. Siyaqhuba siyasembenza siwuHulumeni kaKhongolose.

Extended Public Works Programme
Ngenkathi uMongameli wezwe uMaphuma Ephethe ememezela ukuthi uHulumeni uzokwakha amathuba emsebenzi awu 6 million, wayengasho ukuthi yena qobo lwakhe uyophuma engena ezama ukwakha lemisebenzi qobo lwakhe. Wayeqonde ukuthi sonke siyiminyango siyozinikela ekwakheni lamathuba. Iningi lalamathuba, umnyango wethu usebenzisa uhlelo lwe-extended public works programe. Loluhlelo luhle kakhulu ngoba sisebenzisa abantu kunokuthi sisebenzise imishini.

Nazi ezinye zezinhlelo zethu siwumnyango.

Working for the Coast
Working on Waste
Working on Land
Working on Fire
People and Parks
Kids and Parks, njalo-njalo.

Sinolunye uhlelo oluhle kakhulu esilubiza nge-Eco-furniture Programme. Ngaloluhlelo sakha ama-desks namabhokisi omngcwabo amahle kakhulu. Sesakhe ama-desk angu-169 000 okwamanje. Siphikelele ekwakheni angu-200 000 kuwona lonyaka. A further 550 000 are planned for 2015/16 financial year. Sisembenzisana nomnyango we-Basic Education. Ngaloluhlelo sizama wona amathuba emisebenzi.

Kuloluhlelo sisembenzisa izihlahla lezi esithi ngoma bonabulawe ama Allien trees phela. Sithi ke siwuHulumeni kaKhongolose “ziyofa izinsizwa kuyosala izibongo”.   This branch is led by DDG Dr Guy Preston and his team. Siyaqhuba siyasembenza.

In the previous financial year and in response to the objectives of the NDP and Government, through the EPWP, our department also created 50 281 work opportunities, 16 878 are full time equivalent of work opportunities.   50% of these work opportunities were created for women, 66% for youth and 1,2% for people with disability. Just to add Chairperson, 2,395 fires were fought by the Working on Fire Programme during 2013/2014 financial year and up to October 2014/2015 a further 2,692 were attended to.

Lokhu ngikuchaza ngononina ngoba sike sizwe abanye bemi la ngaphambili bekrolota besifundekela bebuza uMongameli bethi “Mongameli iphi imisembenzi owayithembisa?” uMongameli uthuma thina neminyango yethu kaHulumeni ukuthi sakhe amathuba emisembenzi. Ke asingaphuphi emini sithi uHulumeni akawakhi amathuba emisebenzi. Yebo siyavuma ukuthi bakhona abaningi abantu bethu abangasekasembenzi abasakhungethwe ubuphofu nendlala.
Olunye uhlelo lwethu i-People and Parks Programme kunye ne-Kids in Parks Programme.
Nizokhumbula ukuthi amapaki lawa sasiwabukela kude, siconsa amathe sibukela bona ontabakayikhonjwa bengcebeleka bodwa nabathandwa babo. Baze bafake imibhalo ethi “abamhlophe bodwa”, besibukela kude sakuthi sasingebantu abafana nabo. Namhlanje ngoba befuna abakufunayo sebethi bamele abantu abamnyama.
Wafika uHulumeni ka-ANC wathi phinde lama-Paki ayovulelwa bonke abantu black and white.

On the Kids and Parks Programme
Last year, this programme was successfully implemented affording 4,873 learners and 189 educators the opportunity into 11 of our National Parks. In collaboration with SANBI, Pick ‘n Pay, Department of Basic Education and SANParks, eholwa ngumnumzana Fundisile Mkhetheni nethimba lakhe.   SANBI is our South African National Biodiversity Institute Education Programme which has reached 52,486 beneficiaries in the 2014/2015 financial year. uSANBI uholwa ngumama Dr Tanya Abrahams nethimba lakhe.

Honourable Minister Edna Molewa officially launched the Groen Sebenza Programme in June 2013. The Groen Sebenza is an important programme aimed at developing priority skills in the Biodiversity sector to create sustainable job opportunities for unemployed youth.

Significant highlights of the contribution of Groen Sebenza thus far, include recruitment of 946 pioneers into the Biodiversity sector and the placing of 203 pioneers into permanent jobs. This programme has made an immense contribution to transformation in the Biodiversity sector through the closing of the skills shortage gap in the sector. It is impacting on lives of youth on multiple levels through exposure to work place experience and contributions to the livelihoods of families.

Sengizoyiphetha imbenge, olunye lo phiko lwethu i-South African Wheather Services. Over a period of four years the South African Wheather Service has invested R6.4 million towards bursaries in meteo-rology, this is the scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on wheather processes and forecasting, bursaries in Climatology labake bona bafunda nge-climate. Phela kubalulekile ukuthi sazi ukuthi i-climate yakuleyo ndawo injani ukuze sikwazi ukuhlela kahle yonke imisebenzi yethu. Lastly, bursaries in the Atmospheric Sciences as well – this one is the study of the wheather and climate and how it affects human activity and earth in general.

Nakhona la kuthathwe abantwana abaphuma emakhaya, abahlwempu akakhulukazi abesifazane.
120 scientists were trained and 60% of them were absorbed whilst the rest were made available to the country to contribute towards capacity building in areas that are traditionally scarce and critical disciplines.

Awulalele la yona u-South African Wheather Services uqophe umlando, we produced about 250 scientists and 86 forecasters have been trained since the forecasting course became formal.   Loluhlelo luholwa ngumama Dr Linda Makuleni nethimba lakhe. Bayaqhuba oomama bayasebenza.
Sengiphetha izinselelo zemvelo ziyimpicabadala, zidinga uHulumeni, private sector, ama-NGOs, nemiphakathi yethu ukuthi sibumbane sibe yinkatha noma yimbumba ukuze sisebenzisane. Success in our pursuit of a sustainable future will only be realised when we all work together.

Angidlulise ukubonga ngingananazi kuMinister wethu uMama Molewa, uDG wethu Nosipho Ngcaba, ama-officials wonke ngobuningi bawo ngokuzikhandla kangaka. Ngithi asiqhube sisebenze, ukwanda kwaliwa umthakathi, ngoba yena akathandi abantu bande ngoba bazosizana.

Thank you very much Chair
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