Hansard: Debate on Vote No 30 – Environmental Affairs (OAC)
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 28 May 2013
Summary
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Minutes
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TUESDAY, 28 MAY 2013
PROCEEDINGS OF EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMITTEE – OLD ASSEMLY CHAMBER
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Members of the Extended Public Committee met in the Old Assembly Chamber at 10:07.
Mr J D Thibedi, as Temporary Chairperson, took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayer or meditation.
FIRST ORDER
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 1
START OF DAY
APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Vote No 30 – Environmental Affairs:
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Hon Chair, hon members of the august House and hon Deputy Minister Joyce Mabudafhasi, hon guests, dear ladies and gentlemen who are with us here today, good morning to all of you. We deliver this Budget Vote for the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, whilst also preparing ourselves for the end of the second decade of democracy, mindful of what we have been able to achieve so far and what lies ahead.
Next year's general elections will not only confirm the solid commitment to a democratic order, but they will happen in the year our democracy will be turning 20 years old. Next month, we will also be celebrating the World Environment Day, a day that allows us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the work that was done in our sector, and how we are able to collaborate with other facets of the society in relation to environment. We will also remind ourselves of the centrality of people, the economy and the environmental preservation. This is what is called the three pillars of sustainable development, and part of the slogan that we used during Rio+20, which goes like: Planet, people and prosperity. None of these three areas can exist without the others. The Basotho speaking people of our country tell us that "noka e tlatswa ke dinokana". [A river is swelled by streams.]
Our challenge as a nation which is a developing state that we are is indeed to find a healthy balance between the three pillars: economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability. In pursuit of South Africa's developmental pathway, a shared vision and common goal of sustainability has emerged as a strong driver of industry values and societal behaviour.
As a nation, we adopted the National Development Plan, which maps out the vision of our country for the next 20 years. As the environmental sector, we will implement related aspects of this plan to deal with sustainable development.
Our rich environmental and natural resource endowment such as productive land, clean and sufficient water, healthy air, beautiful landscapes – which are beautiful indeed - vibrant cities and towns, villages and cultures are the very foundation for our inclusive sustainable economic and social development, and therefore must not only benefit us today, but also our children and grandchildren. Without clean water, there is no life; without the protection of plant and animal life, there is no tourism, no benefit to rural communities through the development of sustainable utilisation projects, and therefore no jobs. "Noka e tlatswa ke dinokana". [A river is swelled by streams.]
Our ecological infrastructure is nature's equivalent of our built infrastructure. It includes our mountain catchments, wetlands and coastal dunes, and is also increasingly being recognised for its importance to service delivery in both the rural and urban contexts. However, this has not always been recognised as such, largely because the goods and services provided by the ecological infrastructure have to date been freely available in relative abundance. Land degradation and climate change, however, are rapidly undermining the world's ecological infrastructure and its ability to support sustainable development and also service delivery.
The National Development Plan reminds us of the escalating costs of maintaining built infrastructure in the face of increasing natural disasters, as well as the rising costs of delivering clean water to our communities. This suggests that the value of biodiversity assets and ecological infrastructure now urgently needs to be understood by those sectors facilitating the implementation of this wonderful National Development Plan of ours.
In support of this, the SA National Biodiversity Institute is spearheading a very innovative programme of work on ecological infrastructure analysis inclusive of costing of our natural capital. I know that there are people who are against this but I think we have to do that. With this body of knowledge, we will be empowered and to make informed decisions that are development related. This will be particularly beneficial at a municipal level, but also in aid of water security and disaster risk management. Investment in the management of our ecological infrastructure will secure and build natural capital in South Africa, and will provide a foundation for building climate-resilient economies and also create jobs.
We have now developed initiatives to support effective decision-making in programmes such as the Presidential Strategic Integrated Projects, Sips. We do this through the strategic information and decision-making support tools that we have already established, like the Biodiversity Geographic Information System, amongst other innovations that we have. True to our commitment in our budget speech last year, we celebrated the International Day for Biodiversity this year with the launching of the Mining and Biodiversity Guideline, jointly with the mining sector and the Ministry of Mineral Resources.
Coming to the oceans and coast, we want to acknowledge that South Africa has not fully exploited the economic, commercial, industrial or large-scale livelihood dependency on the oceans that surround our country. Geographically, our country is centrally positioned between the east and west trade routes. Opportunities for ship support industry and ports enjoy a healthy market. South Africa, however, has no large bulk commercial ships on its national ships register. We need to do a lot more with regard to this, not only in the transport and oceans, but other fields as well.
South Africa has an abundance of terrestrial natural and marine living resources, which makes us well placed to exploit the Blue Economy that our location provides. More recently, countries that have invested in ocean research and engineering have appreciated the development advantage that can be accessed through oceans. In this regard, our Green Paper on Policy for the National Environmental Management of the Oceans was submitted to Cabinet last year for approval and was published for comments. As we speak, we are working on the embodiment of the comments or ensuring that we take those comments into cognisance, and also plan to resubmit to Cabinet for final approval.
This policy was generally well received with comments highlighting that the oceans have the potential for many new areas of investment and development; and therefore the departments need to work together in the management and sustainable use of the oceans environment.
In March this year, I led a delegation to a ministerial segment of the Benguela Current Commission, the BCC, which culminated in the signing of the Benguela Current Convention in Benguela. We did this in Angola. The three countries making up this BCC are South Africa, Angola and Namibia, and are committed to common regional goals, above national interests, to promote the long-term conservation, protection, rehabilitation, enhancement and sustainable use of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystems resources. "Noka e tlatswa ke dinokana". [A river is swelled by streams.] Working together, we can do more.
We all know that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Cop, 18 Conference was held in Doha, late last year. This secured the Durban legacy with an outcome that concluded the necessary provisions to give effect to a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, including legal, operational, ambition and environmental integrity considerations. The implication of these outcomes for South Africa is our continued active and strategic engagement in the full implementation of the Durban as well as the Doha decisions. Particular among these, is to facilitate the implementation of urgent climate action now, as this process will inevitably inform the legal outcome being negotiated for the period beyond 2020. This negotiation is focused on the further development and operationalisation of the Durban and Doha decisions in a manner that gives effect to the principles of the convention, particularly the Common But Differentiated Responsibilities, the CBDR, and respective capabilities, as well as ongoing political issues such as equity and sustainable development, intellectual property rights and unilateral trade measures.
Key elements include institutional arrangements for finance and technology to enable meaningful mitigation and adaptation action by developing countries; pre-2020 mitigation ambition by all developed countries; elaborating the concept of comparable effort of mitigation commitments by developed countries not participating in the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol; and the operationalisation of the agreed transparency arrangements for mitigation by developed countries and developing countries. Other Cop 18 decisions included the completion of negotiations on a new legal outcome under the convention by 2015, which is to come into effect from 2020.
Careful analysis of this changing political landscape is needed to ensure that South Africa is well placed within a political alliance that would best serve our national interests. Due consideration of the impact that the broader Post-2015 Development Agenda process will have on the climate change process and the prominent role that climate change will continue to play in all sustainable development debates, is also required.
Ladies and gentlemen you will recall that South Africa has adopted a Climate Change Response Policy. Implementation of this policy and our global commitment to greenhouse gas emission reduction is progressing well and we will finalise our emission reduction objectives and carbon budget approach for each sector, to enable the transition to a low carbon economy.
The policy implementation actions and activities include the analysis of mitigation potential in key economic sectors as the basis for the establishment of the desired the emission reduction outcomes, Deros, and defining the optimal mix of measures for achieving those Deros, with greatest benefit and least cost to our economy. They also include the development and setting up of long-term adaptation scenarios for key sectors on the basis of a set of locally relevant climate scenarios that would inform an integrated approach to planning and the implementation of South Africa's adaptation response. In addition, it requires the development of a national monitoring and evaluating system that tracks South Africa's transition to a lower carbon and climate-resilient economy.
The SA Weather Service's, Saws, collaboration with an organisation like the Water Research Commission has enabled Saws' formulation of strategies that are aimed at ensuring that, as a weather-ready nation, proactive measures are invented, aimed at reducing the vulnerability and exposure of our rural communities to increased weather and climate disasters. We appreciate the work that has been done by the SA Weather Services. I am not going to get into details about every other work that they do. Fela re re, "noka e tlatswa ke dinokana". [We are saying, a river is swelled by streams.] Working together, we can do more for our environment.
The development of a management strategy for environmental impact assessment on integrated permitting system to address key concerns and constraints within the current environmental impact management systems, are well underway. We must acknowledge the good work done by the Department of Energy in processing all the applications for renewable energy. Up to 25 000 megawatts of wind and solar projects have been authorised for the various parts of our country to date. We have been working with them and congratulations to the team that has been working very hard to do or conduct the EIAs. This is far more than the original quota for the first three rounds of the bidding programme. The quota that was set by the Department of Energy was 3 750 megawatts.
We have actually processed more than double the amount of environmental impact assessments, EIAs, which we normally process in a single year. I think we really deserve a big applause on this one. [Applause.] You hear me.
In order to facilitate and support accelerated implementation of the sustainable development initiatives, particularly in the Strategic Infrastructure Programme, Sip, a streamlined environmental authorisation process has been introduced. Other tools such as Strategic Environment Assessments are also being developed to further accelerate authorisations, while ensuring sound environmental impact management in line with sustainable development principles. We are part of the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission, the PICC, and we are expected to provide regular feedback in terms of the processing of applications, and we will not do anything that actually fails this process. We will continue to support that.
It is critical that the department is equipped with the necessary capacity to help manage timeframe compliance; avoid costly errors; eliminate frustrations associated with the review of these projects; and eradicate obstacles that give rise to perceptions that our environmental impact assessments are responsible for delays in infrastructure development. We aim to provide an integrated, more streamlined process for major infrastructure projects throughout the assessment process. In line with this approach, we are proactively engaging the respective Strategic Infrastructure Project Co-ordinators, in addition to our current initiatives with the state-owned enterprises and state-owned companies, in order to provide support and guidance in terms of requisite EIA legislative requirements and the process to be followed.
In line with our commitments to the successful outcomes of the 2011 and 2012 Climate Change, desertification programme, Biodiversity and Rio+20 Sustainable Development Summit – which was held recently in Brazil - meetings, where the international community firmly set sustainable development and a Green Growth as an apex priority. We have also, as South Africa, prioritised the transition to a sustainable, job-creating, low-carbon and inclusive Green Economy.
We have begun the introduction of the Green Economy with the utilisation of our Green Fund, which we announced last year. Through our implementing agency, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the DBSA, funds have already been allocated through the first window of opportunity to projects that proved to be sustainable, and are mainly in the alternative energy, but, also more importantly, making difference in the communities.
The success of our efforts made thus far will be reflected in the 2012 SA Environmental Outlook report, which is to be published this year. The report will provide the analysis of the state of environment covering South Africa's land resources, ecosystems and biodiversity, inland water systems, oceans and coasts, energy, air quality, climate change and waste. Early indications are that while we have made progress towards sustainably managing our environmental resources in the process of transitioning to a low carbon green economy, many challenges still remain.
Early this year, we launched the zero emission pure electric green cars for the nation as a national pilot programme. The department had to demonstrate government commitment to the reduction of carbon emissions that are chiefly responsible for climate change. That green car is standing outside there. It drives nicely, like any other car. It is beautiful, I think all of us must try to move to low carbon emission.
The environmental challenges experienced in different regions of the world, represent not only a significant and historic challenge to our generation, but also an opportunity for change. Next month we will also launch the SA Green Economy modelling report. The report commissioned by the United Nations Environment Programme, Unep, at our request, will be a useful contribution to supporting the vision and leadership of South Africa in paving the way towards a Green and inclusive Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication in South Africa. We will also ensure that all interventions we develop and all studies that we conduct are aligned with the National Development Plan's target for job creation that is set at 11 million jobs by 2030. "Noka e tlatswa ke dinokana". [A river is swelled by streams.]
Our Green Economy interventions must support this roadmap to ensure that our programmes positively contribute to this target and centrally position our sector as a hub of job creation, whilst not deviating from our mandate of protecting the integrity of the environment. The sustainable use of indigenous biological resources is indeed very fundamental to the development of South Africa's economy. The bioprospecting and hunting industries, particularly, are also integral to our contribution to sustainable development and Green Jobs. I know the Deputy Minister has got a lot to say in that regard.
Recent estimates have placed the bioprospecting industry's contribution to the gross domestic product, the GDP, here in South Africa, at R2,1 billion, which, if combined, places the contribution of the direct utilisation of indigenous biological resources at R8,3 billion. In the previous financial year, the entire value chain of the hunting industry contributed some R6,2 billion to the South African GDP. We will embark on a dedicated programme to provide support to the hunting and bioprospecting industries, to promote South Africa as the destination of choice for hunting, and as one of the most resource-rich countries to contribute to bioprospecting.
Last year, we undertook a concerted effort to build human capital in the biodiversity sector. Working with SA National Biodiversity Institute, Sanbi, through our programme Groen Sebenza – that is the programme we announced last year - we have partnered with 33 organisations to create a cadre of 800 confident and competent people to work at all levels of government and in the private sector. This launch will form part of our Youth Month celebrations as well as our celebration of Environment Month.
We must acknowledge the notion that there is necessarily a trade-off to be made between faster economic growth and the conservation of our environment. The myth that there is a conflict between economic development and environmental health must be challenged and debunked. Good environmental management coupled with integrated development planning will allow us to build a low carbon economy that supports resilient ecosystems and economies. Healthy and intact ecosystems give us more options for responding to climate change, alleviating poverty and also building a Green Economy. We are committed to improve the socioeconomic benefits within the environmental sector, by creating 65 494 job opportunities which will yield 34 019 full-time equivalent jobs. The targeted designated groups are women, youth and people living with disabilities. That is our target as environmental sector.
We have accessed a total amount of R2,39 billion from the Expanded Public Works Programme for our environmental programmes in this financial year, which will boost the job creation objectives of government, and secure vital environmental benefits from the work to be done. The jobs will not be created in isolation to the department's mandate; hence the Working for Water programme which the Deputy Minister will speak to; Working on Fire and the Environmental Protection; and Infrastructure programmes. Through their various subprogrammes, we will also deliver environmental outputs such as rehabilitating wetlands; cleaning more than 2 100 kilometres of coastline; rehabilitation of estuaries and dunes; construction of boardwalks to facilitate access; planting trees; building of waste buy-back centres; removing invasive alien plants; provision of infrastructure to facilitate conservation and rehabilitating thousands of hectares of land this year. All those are programmes that the Deputy Minister is taking care of. The jobs created will be coupled with skills development wherein about 184 263 accredited training person days will be achieved.
During this financial year, we aim to spend over R1,13 billion on the Working for Water and associated programmes, whilst Working on Fire will get R406 million, and the Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programmes will get R817 million. It is a lot of money, lot of work and lot of job creation.
Forestry SA calculated that the damage to the forestry industry, through the major fires, is worth about R3,6 billion, but this could have been doubled had it not been for the Working on Fire partnership.
We would like to improve our partnerships with the farming community in this regard, and strengthen our ability to respond more efficiently and effectively. The biggest budget allocations are, again, going towards Eastern Cape and the SA National Parks, SanParks, projects. I should mention that the SanParks budget includes the funding for the Eco-Furniture industry that I know the Deputy Minister is taking care of and she will be speak at length on that.
As we prepare to celebrate Youth Month, I would like to re-emphasise our concern over the growing number of unemployed young people. As we begin the third decade of our democracy, the ability of our country to upscale a conducive environment for young people in South Africa, to be absorbed into active economic participation, is of vital importance. As part of our environmental sector contribution towards addressing this challenge of youth unemployment in the country, we have initiated two programmes which encourage better environmental management practices within our communities.
Firstly, the Youth Environmental Services, Yes, programme will benefit 2 700 young people over the next three years. [Applause.] Upon exiting the programme, these young people will be placed in either permanent employment or further training institutions. We will launch this programme next month – which is few days from now - as part of our celebration of Youth and Environment Month. Secondly, we will also, as we committed in our speech last year, be launching the youth jobs in waste programme, again, in June this year.
This project is expected to create over 600 job opportunities in both North West and Free State provinces. The project, once rolled out nationally, is expected to provide 3 577 young people with job opportunities in waste management and related entrepreneurship. I am sure you would recall our national Waste Management Strategy; it does also make a call for entrepreneurs to be created in that regard.
In addition to these youth employment initiatives, is the introduction of Environmental Monitors to deal with environmental threats in protected areas, including the scourge of rhino poaching nationally. Through this programme, 1 000 young people will be employed to strengthen our fight against poaching of the rhino and other environmental challenges.
With regard to compliance, we need to ensure that our environmental laws are actually adhered to. There has been further expansion of the Green Scorpions' capacity at local level, since the first protocol was signed with the Limpopo provincial government in February 2012. Since then, most provinces have made progress in relation to signing of the protocols with the relevant local authorities. To date, 48 Environmental Management Inspectors have been designated in different local municipalities across the country and are anticipated to get us to the next higher increased number. There will however also be a need to have focus efforts in Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and the Free State, where implementation protocols have not yet been signed with any of the local authorities.
I am encouraged that the Department has been given tremendous support by our partners in the fight against environmental crimes. On behalf of our department, I would like to say this boldly from this podium, a big thank you to the SA Police Service, the SAPS, the SA National Defence Force, the SANDF, and the Department of Justice as well as our courts for ensuring that they work with us and support us in the fight against rhino poaching, but also in ensuring that they send a very clear and strong message that, we are not going to stand and look at our environmental laws being violated, and our heritage being stolen.
The department is also in the process of developing a comprehensive compliance and enforcement strategy that will provide us with a gap analysis enabling us to ensure that within the limited resources, we make the most effective and efficient implementation or compliance with our legislation.
The National Waste Management Strategy continues to contribute to the creation of varied industries that are deliberately structured to deliver sustainable livelihood. At present, three district municipalities in the Northern Cape, two in Gauteng and two in Mpumalanga, are being assisted with the development of the Integrated Waste Management Plans, in order to ensure that the planning ... [Time expired.] Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Mr J H DE LANGE
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The MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
Adv J H DE LANGE: Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister, and members, our esteemed environmental sector family, ladies and gentlemen, may I extend to all present, on behalf of the portfolio committee, a warm welcome to this 2013 annual debate of the Budget Vote of the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs. I rise on this occasion on behalf of the ANC - and hopefully the portfolio committee - in unconditional support of this 2013-14 Budget Vote allocation to the department.
As I said in the same debate last year, and I quote:
The department is mainly a policy-formulating department on matters environmental, and, therefore, is comparatively small and well functioning. The department's finances and financial management systems are in good health. For years now, the annual financial statements have been unqualified, with problem areas being insignificant and easily dealt with. Therefore, there is little to be gained by debating and belabouring the obvious.
I, without hesitation and unconditionally, repeat and support this prognosis for this year again. The portfolio committee's comments on this year's Budget Vote are contained in its report to be tabled in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports.
I spend the rest of my address on the scourge of rhino poaching which has gripped our African continent with a vengeance and threatens to decimate all the wonderful rhino conservation successes South Africa and Namibia has had with the bringing of the African Rhino from the brink of extinction, in the last century, only to witness their possible demise in this century. I start by laying out the relevant facts and figures.
The majority of Africa's black and white rhinos, 98,3% in fact, continue to be conserved by four African range states: South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Today, of the 25 460 African rhinos alive, 5 055 are black rhinos and 20 405 are white rhinos. Conserving 83% of Africa's rhinos and 75% of wild rhinos in the world makes South Africa the premier rhino range state globally, with 18 910 white rhinos and 2 044 black rhinos. One of the most perturbing statistics that I came upon is that in 1960 there were 100 000 black rhinos in Africa, excluding South Africa. Today, there is a paltry 3 150 still existing in the rest of Africa.
From 2006 through February 2012, a minimum of 2 387 rhino were reportedly poached in 11 of the 12 rhino range states in Africa - only Uganda had no poaching incidents. Of this number of poached rhino during this period, 1 460 occurred in South Africa, 362 in Zimbabwe, 90 in Kenya, and 67 in Mozambique, with other African range states showing small losses. Of the number poached in South Africa, it can be seen that the basic pattern remains the same since 2007, namely the numbers poached increase rapidly each year, with 36 in 2006, 13 in 2007, 83 in 2008, 122 in 2009, 333 in 2010, 448 in 2011, 668 in 2012, and by February this year, 112 had already been killed.
Despite the high and increasing levels of poaching, both rhino species have continued to increase in the wild, with white rhino up from 17 475 in 2007 to 20 405 in 2012 and black rhino up from 4 230 in 2007 to 5 055 in 2012. But, worryingly, the continued escalation in population growth has slowed down. However, as Dr Knight has demonstrated, with a 6,9% and 5,6% average net growth of white and black rhinos respectively, and with 2,2% losses to poaching and a small percentage to pseudo-hunting, our national herd is still annually increasing, but we must remain vigilant not to allow the mortality rate to surpass natural births. South Africa remains the major white and black rhino range state, conserving 18 910, or 93,%, of white rhinos and 2 400, or 40%, of black rhinos.
Today, in South Africa, we have 205 000km² of game ranches, which amount to 16,8% of South Africa's territory and covers an area of over three times as large as all the national and provincial protected conservation state areas, with 10% being occupied with rhinos. This translates into our national herd of 20 454 rhinos being conserved on over five million hectares of land consisting of some 395 private ranches and 36 state-protected areas. Therefore, in South Africa, about 24% of rhino populations are held on privately owned land, with 21% being in provincial reserves and 55% in SANParks. Astonishingly, this means that South Africa's private conservation sector owns more rhinos than the rest of Africa or the whole of Asia.
Since I became chairperson of the portfolio committee in November 2010, I can say without fear of contradiction, that no single issue in the environmental or water sectors has stirred the passions and emotions of conservationists and the public alike more than the massacre of our rhino population at an alarming, ever increasing scale each year since 2006. Members of the portfolio committee are daily provided with advice and information on the issue. Some of this advice and debate is simplistic, narrowly defining the issue, single dimensional and often self serving, depending on the interests of the sender. Some of the solutions forwarded to me vary from changing the definition of terrorism in our law to include rhino poaching, to deploying the army to guard rhinos, to shooting poachers on sight, to poisoning the horn to kill the consumers and many others.
I likewise, without fear of contradiction, can say that no other issue in the environmental sector in the last two years has been given as much attention, thought and action, by our government, our Ministry, our department, our portfolio committee and myself as chairperson, than to effectively and sustainably deal with this totally unacceptable slaughter of our rhinos.
What has become crystal clear in the process is that there is no silver bullet, no single action, no single country or organisation that is, or has, the solution to this very complex problem. We simply need to consider all options and best practises, at a global level, and implement as many as seem possible. So, the first step to finding the right suite of management options is to accept that there is no single solution to this complex challenge facing the world and, particularly, South Africa. Accepting this is critical, as is accepting the fact that conservation orthodoxy of the last few decades do not present a solution, even if it runs contrary to one's conservation philosophy or one's economic orthodoxy or philosophy.
We simply need to do things differently. What we have done in the past is simply not working. So we need a suite of new management options for our rhino population drawing from the international best practices and some new and innovative ones in the area of wildlife conservation and viable and relevant economic models, and we need to stop rehashing old and tired orthodoxies and philosophies, of both the conservation and economic variety, as they have brought us to this dangerous tipping point in the first place and are helpless in providing us with present solutions. Although the dialogue and the weighing of options has earnestly and vigorously, but maybe not always honestly, begun, we require an immediate and drastic escalation in timeframes and the finding of solutions must be escalated globally, albeit this should not hold South Africa back from doing whatever is possible to find solutions in the meantime.
As support for my above analysis, prognosis and possible future approach, and to contextualise the vastness and complexities of the problem, at a global level, allow me to direct your attention to the Dalberg report - which was funded by the World Wildlife Fund - dealing with illicit wildlife trafficking, as follows, and I quote:
There are many different estimates of the financial value of illicit wildlife trafficking worldwide; however, reliable estimates are hard to find, mainly because the trade is illegal. Unreported and unregulated fisheries trade alone has been estimated at between US$4,2 billion and US$9,5 billion per year, the value of the illegal timber trade as much as US$7 billion per year, and the illicit wildlife trafficking, excluding fisheries and timber, as between US$7,8 billion and US$10 billion per year. Combining these numbers, illicit wildlife trafficking, including timber and fisheries, comprises the fourth largest global illegal trade after narcotics, humans and counterfeit products.
The report also contains the following views and conclusions, and I quote:
Although illicit wildlife trafficking is a crime with wide security implications and has well documented links to other forms of illicit trafficking, the financing of rebel groups, corruption and money laundering, the issue is primarily seen as an environmental issue, which puts it low on governments' agendas. Internationally, blame for the issue is passed back and forth between source and consumer countries; and there is a lack of collaboration, co-ordination and accountability between the two. Demand is driven by consumer trends but there is little market insight into the consumer habits of the emerging middle class in key demand markets such as Asia. Supply-side enforcement efforts have tended to focus on rangers in protected areas. This approach has been sporadic and underinvested, and it has often neglected improved criminal investigation, prosecution and co-ordination both nationally, for example, in the areas of trade, justice and commerce, and internationally. The current increase in poaching shows that investment in frontline protection is necessary to halt immediate extinction. Simultaneously, a systemic approach from source to the kingpins, to the consumers, needs to be implemented. It is time to change the approach to fighting illicit wildlife trafficking by creating the right incentives for all stakeholders to make the issue a priority. The WWF calls upon governments to take immediate action to recognise the threat posed by illicit wildlife trafficking to their own sovereignty and the need to treat this crime equally and in co-ordination with efforts to halt other forms of illegal trafficking, corruption and money laundering. The issue must be addressed by multiple ministries, and I can add countries, in a co-ordinated manner.
In South Africa, we have to a some extent heeded these advices in the Dalberg report and have in the last two and a half years, in an integrated and co-ordinated manner across Ministries, provincial governments and other stakeholders, embarked on many and varied actions, programmes and activities, to address this scourge. Due to time constraints, I, today, do not deal with any of these initiatives. Hopefully, other speakers will.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Cites, which is made up of 175 countries, banned international trade in rhino horn in 1977. Since 1977, at least three to four rhino subspecies have become extinct in the wild. Of the world's five rhino species, only two, the African black and white rhino have increased in number in the wild, two have decreased drastically, and one remains on the brink of extinction. South Africa and Namibia, as rhino range states, stand out as success stories, whilst in almost all other range states, rhino numbers are down since 1977. While well-intentioned, this trade ban on legally selling rhino horn seems not to have saved any species or subspecies of rhino, whilst succeeding to drive the illegal selling of rhino horn underground, creating a lucrative and well-functioning, illegal, underground black market, which is a haven for organised crime, diverting vast sums of possible conservation funds into the hands of criminals.
Therefore, the portfolio committee views the existence of a lucrative, rapidly growing, underground black market illegally trading in rhino horn, as the elephant in the room, when discussing solutions to the massacre of our rhinos. In the portfolio committee's view, priority number one for the international wildlife conservation community must be to destroy or, at the very least, seriously debilitate this black market and replace it with a strictly regulated legal market mechanism. Understandably, as gleaned from the Rhino Issue Management, Rim, report overseen by Mr Mavuso Msimang which I extensively borrow from, discussions on trade and commerce as conservation tools result in predictable heated debates. Some view the lifting of the ban on trade in rhino horn as the panacea that would end poaching and save the rhino from otherwise inevitable extinction. This view is supported by market theorists who argue that in a market where rhino horn could be traded freely, market forces would automatically drive horn prices down, obviating the need for syndicates to face risks associated with poaching. Those opposing this view argue that there is no evidence to indicate that prices could decrease and that it is more likely that demand, being legitimised, would increase and thus exacerbate the plight of the rhino.
Regardless of the position one takes, the data suggest that the banning of legal open trade in rhino horn has not resulted in reduced demand for the horn and has thus not helped the objective of saving the rhino from imminent extinction. Escalation in the slaughter of rhino is proof of this. Consumers simply do not believe that rhino horn has no medicinal value, no matter how many times we said so. Using increasingly sophisticated means, poaching syndicates have capitalised on the Cites ban to supply what appears to be a resurgent market demand. It is therefore crucial that possibilities of legalising the trade in rhino horn, within well-defined and restricted parameters, are investigated through the development of appropriate models.
It seems abundantly obvious to me, as remarked by Dr Brian Child, that rhino horn trade has been banned for 35 years, yet rhinos are still highly threatened and on the brink of extinction, and surely it is time to devise new approaches. Legalising rhino horn trade for South Africa is likely to shift the market out of the hands of organised crime into legal channels, which must be good for rhinos and other wildlife currently moving through these illicit channels. A large and steady supply of horns is also likely to lower and stabilise prices, which also plays against the black market. Rhinos are most seriously threatened where proprietorship of them is weak or where there is insufficient funds for law enforcement in protected areas.
It is further clear to me that to effectively end, or at least contain, rhino poaching to acceptable levels requires a suite of several carefully thought-out, multipronged interventions. In the immediate term, there can be no substitute for heightened security, costly as it is, using well-trained, properly equipped, committed rangers supported by the best available technologies. Simultaneously, biological conservation measures, including range expansion, should be investigated and implemented. Finally, as long as there is demand for rhino horn, effective means of supplying it must be developed that would have the effect of saving the wild African rhino as a species. These strategies must be finalised with urgency
I find strong support for my proposition of promoting conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources within our wildlife community, in our Constitution, in the various international agreements on biodiversity to which we are party and our national environmental legislative framework. Importantly, section 24 of the Constitution of 1996 provides that–
... Everyone has the right-
(b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that-
(ii) promote conservation; and
(iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.
Our constitutional and legal framework, therefore, supports conservation through sustainable utilisation and provides a legal basis for, amongst others, trade as a tool of conservation. It is noted that Cabinet, in December 2012, agreed that the Minister should start a dialogue on the viability and desirability of lifting the Cites ban on trading in rhino horn. The Minister is urged to obtain Cabinet's endorsement for initiating the process of getting Cites approval, at Cop 17 which will be held in South Africa in 2015, to lift the ban on trading in rhino horn, but to only argue for a limited and well-defined trade in rhino horn, within a market mechanism strongly regulated – possibly even between state parties – and only of rhinos that died of natural causes, or from present stockpiles, or possible dehorning, and upon compliance of very strict obligations. No animals should be killed in the process.
It would be remiss of me, as chairperson, not to end this debate by thanking all members of my portfolio committee for the integrity, humanity, diligence and intellectual vigour and honesty with which they participate in the activities of the committee, with a special acknowledgement to the leaders of the various parties in the portfolio committee for their constructive engagement and support. I owe all a debt of gratitude. Thank you. May I also pay a special tribute in Parliament to the wonderful contribution that two true South African patriots, the honourable Piet Mathebe, who is now our High Commissioner in Zambia, and the hon Gareth Morgan, who has taken a sabbatical from political life, have made in this portfolio committee over many years. I also welcome the hon Dhlomo and hon Rogers to our portfolio committee. May your contribution be everlasting and empowering and your stay be fulfilling.
May I also pay tribute and thank the Minister, the Deputy Minister, the director-general and her department, the boards and senior management of all environment entities for the helpful, diligent, open and transparent manner in which they engage the portfolio committee and the intellectual vigour and honesty with which they do so. I thank you for listening attentively. [Applause.]
Mrs M WENGER
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 3
Mr J H DE LANGE
Mrs M WENGER: Chairperson, Madam Minister, hon guests, good morning. Considering its seriousness, as mentioned by the hon chairperson, allow me to continue about the rhinos.
On 4 March 2013, Minister Molewa was quoted as saying, "By last week, 102 rhinos have already been killed. On a positive note, 40 arrests have been made. This is but one aspect of the battle against this problem, which the government is tackling on several levels."
On 22 May, this figure had already trebled and escalated to 354. Yes, you did hear me correctly – trebled. Since then, we have reached the 360 mark of rhino killed in our country. Sadly, since yesterday, yet another four rhinos have been killed, one in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, two at the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, and one near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park.
Surely, Madam Minister, this speaks volumes that we are not winning the war against poaching, and the situation is reaching alarming and critical levels. At this rate, we will be left with no rhino at all. The onslaught by heavily-armed rhino poachers is relentless, and this month alone, the mutilations, killings and disfigurement of these defenceless animals has reached 100. This can only be described as a tragedy. We are not winning the war.
In spite of increasing the number of rangers, police and soldiers to patrol the Kruger National Park borderline, which is the hardest hit, our rhinos continue to die. As has now been proven, the removal of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park fencing was definitely not a wise decision, and the Minister must very seriously reconsider the reinstallation of these fences. Do we know, or do we have track of, what happened to the 450 rhinos that went through the border after the removal of the fencing, never to be seen again?
Last Friday night, section ranger Andrew Desmet was shot and wounded in the stomach north of Letaba in the Kruger National Park during a fire-fight with rhino poachers. Andrew is the first victim since 2008 to be shot in the Kruger National Park. He underwent surgery at the Medi-Clinic in Nelspruit and his condition was reported as stable. We wish Andrew a speedy recovery. Let us look at some comparisons.
Between 2000 and 2007, rhino were poached at a rate of 12 per year. Since 2007, the figure has escalated to 83 in 2008, 122 in 2009, 333 in 2010, 448 in 2011, and 668 in 2012. Of these, 425 occurred in the Kruger National Park. This is more than a 5 000% increase in the number of rhinos killed between 2007 and 2012. With a street value of $65 000 per kilogram, rhino horn is, indeed, more precious than gold.
South Africa is home to 85% of the world's rhino population, and if the killings continue, we can expect some 900 rhinos to be killed by the end of the year, with the Kruger National Park bearing the brunt of the escalation in poaching. However, other provinces are not spared, either. On Tuesday, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife announced a weekend massacre of seven white rhino and one black rhino at iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site near St Lucia. Additional carcasses were also discovered in Vryheid, bringing the KwaZulu-Natal figure to 12 in the last 20 days. Further incidents have also been reported in the North West and Mpumalanga.
A total of 267 persons were arrested in 2012 for rhino poaching, of which 73 occurred in the Kruger National Park. This year, 78 arrests have been made. Unfortunately, the cases may take up to two years before finalisation and conviction, and we have recently seen the re-arrest of a previous offender who was out on bail, which does not help the cause.
We welcome, finally, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam, and we hope that this memorandum will bring law enforcement from both countries together in bringing down the boom in rhino poaching and the illegal trade in horn. Further memorandums of understanding with Thailand, China and Kenya, as well as the bilaterals with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, are of the utmost importance. A special bilateral agreement with Mozambique has to be very stringent, considering that more than 80% of the poachers apprehended are from Mozambique.
We want assurance from the Minister that the stockpiles are accounted for and in safe locations, so that they are not accessed and stolen by poachers and traders.
Rhino poaching should be declared a national disaster by the President, and funding should be accessible in order to manage the crisis. We therefore welcome the additional funding of R75 million over the medium term in the 2013 budget to combat rhino poaching in the SA National Parks, SANParks. This, however, does not cover private parks and reserves.
It is unfortunately not only the rhinos that are under threat. Elephants are being targeted, as well. Last week, a mature female elephant was poached in Tembe Elephant Park in the north of KwaZulu-Natal, and the guns used were AK-47s. If we do not nip this in the bud, we will have a similar situation on our hands with the elephants.
Additional funding to the SA National Biodiversity Institute of R150 million over the medium term is welcomed so that the institute will be able to deliver on its mandate and to improve and maintain critical infrastructure under its control, such as the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Education Centre. South African biodiversity is endowed with huge wealth in species: 5,8% representing 300, of the global total of mammals; 8% representing more than 800, of bird species recorded; 4,6% representing 288, of reptiles; and 5,5% of the world's known insects. In conjunction with the provincial departments, all these species have to be managed and protected.
The vision of the National Development Plan, the NDP, is to embrace a transition to an environmentally sustainable economy. The R800 million boost for the Green Fund that the Treasury recently announced will create a further 63 000 jobs in this coming financial year, over and above the 27 000 new job opportunities that have already been created, of which 10 400 are full time.
Greening the Future is an initiative that must draw on international best practice in its design, maximise the use of available initiatives, ignite local action and reward everyone for better environmental performance. The programmes should become one of the cornerstones of the integrated development plans, the IDPs, at municipalities, especially in the development and planning departments.
Under its curatorship, SANparks has 558 000 hectares of land, with 22 national parks under its management, of which only five make a profit. With the change in funding from day-to-day operational funding into once-off project base grant funding, the project has to be self-sustaining in terms of operational costs, long-term maintenance and upgrading. Let us hope that this will not increase entry costs to these parks, thereby pricing themselves out of the market.
Madam Minister, oversight over the implementation of the National Waste Management Strategy is of the utmost importance. The disposal of hazardous waste is still a major problem throughout the country. Hazardous materials still have to be transported around the country to accredited sites, thereby endangering people en route. The licensing and issuing of permits to waste disposal sites is not progressing fast enough and should be fast-tracked, together with the development of policies, processes and systems. Government can learn of its role in current and future waste management from the Western Cape, which, through the Green Economy Strategy Framework, aims to minimise waste in all forms, and to help biodiversity and ecosystems through better planned and located settlements.
The Auditor-General's report is cause for concern, with its findings in the latest audit report stating that consultants were appointed where permanent capacity should have been created. [Time expired.] Thank you, Chair. [Applause.]
Ms B D FERGUSON
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 4
Mrs M WENGER
Ms B D FERGUSON: Good morning Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Ministers, hon members and our guests in the gallery. This month has seen our country celebrating days of both national and international historic importance. Workers Day on 1 May and Africa Day on 25 May. On these same self days, other important events also took place.
On Workers day, the Olifants West Conservation Trust, in partnership with Transfrontier Africa, Endangered Wildlife Trust and Rhino Mercy inducted seven young people into an anti-poaching combat team. Of significance, four of the Black Mambas, as this group is known, are women.
Collet Ngubeni, one of the inductees, when asked why she had joined the team, she responded that: Had she not joined the team, there would be no inheritance from her to be passed to the next generation; that tourism and economy of that region would be affected; and that it would severely impact on further job creation.
We have many such initiatives where our young people are answering the call to help save our country's most endangered species. However, we should continue developing these communities, closest to the nature reserves in conservation. It has been wildly reported that the rhino population in Mozambique, in April this year, has been annihilated.
As horrifying, is the fact that as of 21 May, 353 rhinos have been killed in our country; while on track to surpassing the 663 killed in 2012. Over the past three years, 55 000 - and I repeat, 55 000 elephants have been killed in the continent – a major catastrophe!
On 25 May saw us celebrating Africa Day. On that day, the first reported killing of an elephant in our country took place in KwaZulu-Natal. Tragically, a ranger was also shot in the same province, but thankfully, he is in a stable condition and our thoughts and prayers go to his family.
The scourge of elephant and rhino poaching has crossed our boarders. Equally worrying is that our rangers are daily at risk. It would appear as if the open fence agreement has introduced an open season on our wildlife and rangers. Hon Minister, how prepared are you and your department to combat the imminent wave of elephant poaching; because it is coming? Also, when will the directive be given to re-erect the boarder fences?
On 26 May, for the first time in Africa, a Falcon Drone was sent into the night skies over the Balule Nature Reserve. The significance of this is its night vision capabilities enabled poachers to be detected, allowing for the effective deployment of rangers. I believe that the drones have the capability to dramatically reduce the number of the attacks on and killing of rangers and wildlife. Minister, would you consider looking at the alternative prevention techniques such as the use a Falcon Drone or even satellite tracking? Because right now, despite numerous interventions, it looks like we are loosing the fight.
We are now facing an invasion of a different sort from north of our boarders. A plant of the species Parthenium, known as Famine Weed in Ethiopia, was found in northern KwaZulu-Natal. This plant is known to cause respiratory distress and allergic dermatitis in humans. Several research documents have attributed the death of cattle, water buffalo and other livestock to it. Prof MacDonald, a conservationist and environmental consultant, came across three plants outside Mkhuze Game Reserve during a survey on alien plant invasion earlier this year.
Nine weeks later and in his words he said that there were thousands on the same spot. He was shocked to find two Black Rhinos in the Phongolo Game Reserve, seen grazing in the fields overgrown by this reed - exhibiting inflamed and swollen eyes, and bright pink lips and nostrils.
The spread of this weed poses major problems to the farmers, particularly, subsistence farmers. It is said that this weed can reduce maize yield by 40 to 60%. It can also reduce the amount of pasture in a grazing area by 90%. Hon Minister, would you regard this invasion as a serious threat, with far-reaching consequences to our farmland and livestock? Will you deal with this matter urgently?
Cope understands the urgent need to improve infrastructure and access to essential services as envisaged in the National Development Plan. However, despite the expressed obligations in section 24 of the Constitution and the National Sustainable Development Plan adopted by Cabinet in 2011, the draft Infrastructure Development Bill seemingly, disregards decades of national policy development in relation to environmental management, sustainable development and government's commitment to this. Minister, granted the fact that this is not your Bill, will you stand for the environment in the face of an invasive infrastructure development?
According to the KPMG report, South Africa ranks number six on the carbon and climate change, ahead of countries such as Australia, Finland and Singapore.
Eskom has stated that it will need 120 million tons of coal before 2020. What does this mean for South Africa's low carbon footprint and our emerging green economy? Will Eskom's decision impact negatively on South Africa's ranking?
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the portfolio committee and its chairperson, hon De Lange, for being consistently vigilant and for asking the probing and sometimes uncomfortable questions on the workings of the department.
In conclusion, I would also like to quote Wangari Maathai when he said, and I quote: "We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to conserve the environment so that we can bequeath our children a sustainable world that benefits all." I thank you. [Applause.]
Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 5
Ms B D FERGUSON
Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA: Hon Chairperson, the time has come for our environment to no longer play second fiddle to our economy and the small-minded, short-term games of the few at the expense of the many. This land, our land, is all we have. Why do we allow and tolerate the abuse that is continually perpetrated against her? Why are our laws, concerning her welfare, of such inconsequence that the unscrupulous fear nothing in breaking them?
This department is mandated with the maintenance and the preservation of our natural resources, our fauna and flora. It is tasked with keeping the balance between rampant industrial and economic enterprise and the safe sustainable use of the environment. This department is performing admiringly in its mandate. It has our full support. [Applause.] The Minister has our full support.
We would however like to see greater impetus and legislation in the following areas, poaching of our fauna, particularly our rhino and elephant populations is increasing like monstrous cancer. At last count, we had lost 354 rhinos to poaching this year. We clearly require more stringent policies and measures for the current measures are not stopping this slaughter. In this respect we urge the Minister to ensure that our anti-poaching units are equipped with all the necessary equipment and manpower that they require in order to effectively carry out their protection mandates. We also note that Botswana has recently introduced a "shoot to kill" policy in order to combat poaching within its national parks. Whilst this is an extremely harsh measure, it may also be an effective deterrent in our war against poaching.
The IFP also supports all calls to end recreational killing of lions in South Africa. Lions are being bred in captivity, in most instances, tranquilised and then released into large enclosed areas to be hunted. They are then being hunted by the pseudo hunters who take great pride and satisfaction in being able to kill a tame lion at point blank range with a high powered rifle. This is as pathetic as it is cruel. It is reported that these lions are bred for the sole purpose of being hunted. Often spending the majority of their lives in small cramped quarters, they are bred and released into a controlled environment, only when they are about to be shot. Approximately 700 lions are killed in trophy hunts each year.
The African wild lion population is also under threat with numbers dwindling from 450 000 to only 20 000 currently left in Africa and only 2 000 in South Africa. The IFP accordingly, urges the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs to immediately ban or act at the very least, by severely limiting the number of lion hunting permits issued in South Africa each year. We also call for the immediate ban of trading in lion bone.
Air pollution remains another grave concern especially the kind generated from domestic burning of wood, coal and other substances. Our township populations are suffering from all kinds of respiratory ailments caused by this. It has been said that we are literally choking our population to death on a daily basis in the townships.
The department must embark on greater awareness campaigns which highlight the dangers and risks involved with domestic burning of wood and coal. Suitable alternatives of low-cost heat generation must be found and rolled within our communities.
Companies that are found to be in contravention of our air pollution laws and those involved in the illegal toxic dumping of waste products must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of our laws. We call for a far greater enforcement and monitoring measures from the department.
Genetic modification of crops has been shown to poison the soil. [Time expired.] The IFP supports the Budget Vote. [Applause.]
Mr B H HOLOMISA
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 5
Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA
Mr B H HOLOMISA: Our chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister and hon members, my suggestion on this issue of rhino poaching is to gather intelligence firstly so we can take decisions from an informed position. State security needs to gather intelligence on rhino poaching in South Africa and such intelligence would enable us to nip this problem in the bud.
There are signs of sabotage which are targeting our economy and ...
isiXhosa:
...ayikho into yokuba umntu angasuka eThailand umbone eze kudubula isilwanyana kwindawo ekhuselekileyo enganikwanga iinkcukacha zobuntlola ngabantu abahlala phaya. Ngoko ke, kuza kufuneka kubengathi sinyusa iikawusi kulo mcimbi. Ndingqine kwinto yokudalwa kwemisebenzi liSebe laManzi nokuSingqongileyo kuba ngowama-2011- siye sathi ke, malungu ahloniphekileyo, xa singathethi ngezi zinto zooGupta neeCentral African Republic, Car, abanye bethu baye bazibandakanya nezinto zokukhusela okusingqongileyo- phambi kweCop 17, phaya koMkhulu eNyokeni, siye satyala, nabanye neSebe eli, imithi yemveli engama-34 000 ngosuku olunye sisenza ihlathi. Ndithetha nje loo projekthi yadala malunga nama-30 emisebenzi esisigxina. Ukanti eMpuma Koloni kukho iziza ezine nalapho ekutyalwe kuzo imithi yemveli kwenziwa amahlathi, kwaze kwaqeshwa abantu abaqikelelwa kuma-92. Bendisarhabulisa apha. [Kwahlekwa.]
Isisombululo kule nto yolutsha kungcono ukuba sizame ukuqalisa into endingayibiza ngokuba yi Orator's competition to Grade 12 ukwenzela ukuba aba bantwana xa besiya kwii-Uyinivesithi naxa sele besebenza babe beyincance ebeleni le nto yokusingqongileyo.
Ilizwe limdaka Sihlalo, ndiyathemba ukuba singanosuku okanye impelaveki sijolise kuwo onke amaphondo, iilali nezitalato; kuthiwe ngoMgqibelo nangeCawa siza kuphuma sonke sicoce ilizwe, kuba kaloku njengokuba sithenga izinto ezivela kumazwe angaphandle, ezi plastiki zenziwa kuloo mazwe zenziwa ngabantu abangakuxabisanga okusingqongileyo kwaseMzantsi Afrika.
Ms J MANGANYE
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 6
Mr B H HOLOMISA
Setswana:
Mof J MANGANYE: Ke baakanya sefane letsatsi le letsatsi. [I correct my surname everyday.
English:
My surname is Manganye. Hon Chairperson, hon Minister Edna Molewa, hon Deputy Minister, Joyce Mabhudafasi, hon members, guests in the gallery, ladies and gentlemen the ANC-led government is ensuring that we contribute to the National Development Plan target for job creation that is set at 11 million jobs by 2030.
Our green economy intervention must support this road map to ensure that our programmes, be they in the Expanded Public Works Programme or Green Fund, positively contribute to this target and centrally position our sector as a hub for job creation.
Setswana:
Ke ema fano gompieno, mo boemong jwa lekoko la rona le le eteletseng puso pele, ka motlotlo le go lebelela kwa morago ka mokgwa o Lefapha la Merero ya Tikologo le dirileng ka teng. Le dirile go tlala seatla. Ba bantsi fa dilo di senyega, ba re ke puso ya ANC. Gompieno ke ema fano, ke bua ka molomo wa me ka fa mokgatlo wa ANC o dirileng go tlala ka seatla ka gona. [Legofi.]
Re bona re na le Tselanakgolo le Lenaneo la Bosetšhaba le Tlhabololo, e leng malepa a ANC e tlang ka ona gore dilo di kgone go diragala. ANC fa e bua e a re: "Botshelo jo bo botoka go botlhe." Gompieno ke lo gopotsa gore fa lo ntse lo re ke tsekedi ke nnete.
English:
The Infrastructure Plan announced by hon President Jacob Zuma sets out a number of strategic integrated projects, which I will refer to as Sips from here on because the word is too long for me. For instance, water infrastructure is critical for the Sips and furthermore, to develop industrial sectors as identified in the New Growth Path for South Africa. Let me reflect on the progress made since 1994. We have achieved a lot and there is still a lot to be done. We therefore say, when we speak, we must remember to say; "Better Life for all."
President Zuma announced in his state of the nation address for 2011 that all government departments will align their programmes with the job creation imperative. Employment creation is a key priority in the Department of Environmental Affairs' medium-term strategic framework, and it is intensifying its involvement in the Expanded Public Works Programme in relation to the creation of green jobs.
The transfer from the Department of Water Affairs of the Natural Resources Management Programmes: Working for Water and Working for Fire has significantly increased the capacity and responsibility to create employment.
Setswana:
Fa re ntse re dira ka dinako tsotlhe re bona bomme ba tswa ka bontsi go phephafatsa dinoka le go tsenelela mo matsemeng. Dilo tse tsotlhe fa ba di dira, di re tlisetsa tiro re le MaAforika Borwa. Ka foo, Lefapha leno, le dira go tlala letsogo. Go na le dikolo tse di dirisang ditafojana tse di dirilweng ke bomme. Setswana se a re: Mme o tshwara thipa ka fa bogaleng. Mafapha a rona le ona a eteletswe ke bomme kwa pele. Bomme ba ba nang le boineelo, ba ba dirang ka thata gore lefapha le dire. Ga go bonolo mo lefapheng, mme ba leka ka natla. [Legofi.]
English:
Through our social responsibility programme and the various subprogrammes of the Natural Resources Management Programme, the department continued with an intensified implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme for the environmental sector.
We build on our previous successes, in the 2012-13 financial year, we created about 62 860 new job opportunities, 31 277 full-time equivalent jobs and ensured that a significant number of unemployed women, youth, small medium and micro enterprise continue to benefit from this government's programmes. We will increase our planned performance in this regard year by year as we aim to make a positive impact and improve the lives of ordinary South Africans.
Setswana:
Modulasetulo, ntetle ke re, mo malobeng re ne re re ga go na di dikgono, mme gompieno re bona Lefapha la tsa Bolepi le re tlela ka ditlhoko tse re ntseng re bua ka tsone. Di le makgolo-a-mabedi somasupa tsa tona ke tsa boenjinere; fa tse makgolo a mabedi masome-nne le bongwe e le tsa saense le masome a mabedi le botlhano e le tsa tlhotlhomisopatlo.
Ke ba Lefapha le ba tsayang le ba isa dikolong go ya go ithutela tiro e, gore bana ba rona ba tle ba kgone go bona lefapha le, kana tikologo ya rona e le mo selebegong se se tshwanetseng. Feela jaaka Tona Edna Molewa a setse a buile gore lefapha le, le ikemiseditse gore re nne le baenjinere le borrasaense; re se ka ra re re na le tlhaelo ya dikgono. Ke ka moo lefapha le le tshwereng ka thata e bile le dirang ka teng.
English:
Candidates graduating from our learning academy will also be able to supplement the skills required at municipality level. Another proud moment for the learning academy was being awarded the Best Training Programme in the Public Sector, Best Science and Technology Training Programme and Best Engineering Sector Training Programme at the skills summit sponsored by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, Achievers Magazine and BHP Billiton.
These awards honour and recognise companies, government departments and organisations who have demonstrated their commitment to the advancement of the employee's skills base by implementing skills development and training programmes that are relevant, innovative and effective.
The government is pleased to report that within the management cadre of the department, we now have 139 senior management service members, of which 56 are female and 83%, 116 are blacks. We are well on our way to achieving the 50% target for females in our senior management.
The Department of Environmental Affairs co-operates with the Department of Education, South African Qualifications Authorities, SAQA, and Sector Education and Training Authorities, Setas, in supporting continuous review of environmental curriculum linked to sector demands.
To promote environmental awareness and education, the ANC-led government has prioritised a school base environmental education programme as well as community based environment awareness programme.
The government offers bursaries to previously disadvantaged South African citizens. The purpose of the programme is to establish an effective system for continuous development of qualified candidates for future appointments and mobility in both the public and private sector. The government programme seeks to achieve the following objectives: Enhance youth development; and develop a culture of high quality lifelong learning within Department of Environment Affairs.
The SA Weather Services, Saws, has long recognised the importance of investing in the development of human talent, not only to support its own growth, but also that of the environment in which it operates. It is also the aim of the organisation to broaden access to education for previously disadvantaged and academically competent learners, and to contribute to South Africa's national goals by expanding the skills base.
As part of its social investment strategy and in an endeavour to recruit and develop talented individuals, Saws endow bursaries to learners in order to enable the organisation to meet its growing need for skilled scientists. Bursaries are awarded to learners to qualify as weather observers, as well as for undergraduate degrees in meteorology and atmospheric science, honours degrees in meteorology and atmospheric science, and a bridging course for BSc students without a meteorology qualification.
Training interventions in which Saws is currently involved include weather observer training, weather observation refresher training, forecaster training, conducting an honours course in meteorology in collaboration with the University of Pretoria, a six months bridging course in meteorology for general BSc learners who have not studied a BSc in Meteorology, as preparation for the honours degree in Meteorology.
Our implementation of the National Climate Change Response Policy, the CCRP, unveiled ahead of the historic Cop 17 in 2011, and I'm happy you realised the climate change last week Friday. I think all of us will try by all means to make sure that we support the Department of Environmental Affairs by looking after our environment.
Setswana:
Fa re sa itebelele, ra dira gore lefatshe la rona le nne botoka, ga gona ope yo o tla dirang jalo. Ke ema jaana go atlegenisa tekanyetsokabo ke re, a re e tshegetseng. Fa re dira mmogo, re ka dira go tlala seatla. Ke a leboga. [Legofi.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 7
Ms J MANGANYE
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Chairperson, hon Minister Ms Molewa, hon members of the portfolio committee, and hon members who are here, chief executives of public entities, distinguished guests who have come to join us today, environment is central to economic and social development, thus the emphasis of environmental sustainability and equitable transition to low-carbon economy in the National Development Plan. Our policies promote community-based environmental management, which is an enabler towards sustainability. I am proud to report about the community-based environmental programmes we have implemented last year.
South Africa is the 12th country in the world to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on access benefit sharing. This ratification is a major step towards the sustainable development of the country's green economy. It is also an indication of our commitment to the green economy, sustainable development and the use of our country's natural resources for economic growth.
In terms of this protocol, locals benefit through capacity building, the creation of community-based enterprise development and the awarding of bursaries to young people to further their education in the biodiversity conservation field. To date, 10 bioprospecting permits have been issued.
During the 7th Pan-African Access and Benefit Sharing workshop held in Limpopo, we showcased a community-based project, which produces mosquito-repellent candles from the Fever tree. This is our partnership project between our department, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the CSIR, National Traditional Healers, and the Maswanganyi and Mabunda communities in Giyani. A licensing agreement with Zollhaus International (Pty) Ltd to market the mosquito-repellent candles, both national and internationally has been concluded. I am sure we will also buy them. [Applause.]
The SA San Council and the Nama communities at Paulshoek and Nourivier in the Northern Cape benefited through partnership with Human Growth Hormone, the HGH, Pharmaceuticals on the local and international research on the Kanna plant, which is a mood enhancer product branded Elv8 in South Africa and Zembrin in the United State of America.
We will continue to explore partnerships with the private sector.
The people and parks continues to benefit local communities through access and benefit sharing such as harvesting of natural resources, access to graves, free access to protected areas for educational purposes, monetary pay-outs to claimants, which result in poverty eradication.
I know that we all have been talking about rhino pouching - we are fighting this matter, including the use of instruments like the satellite equipment. We are using measures that range from the strengthening of legislature to the use of information and communications technology tools and law enforcement, which has been launched.
Through this programme, we launched the national co-management framework, which enables innovative governance by conservation authorities and local communities; enabled active participation and decision-making in the management of protected areas; facilitated co-management agreements with the Nwanedi land claimants in Limpopo, and the Songimvelo community in Mpumalanga; and established business linkages to support community initiatives adjacent to protected areas. And we also encouraged communities to establish co-operatives, small businesses to enable them to tender for jobs within protected areas and other places; procured goods and services amounting to R30 million from the small, medium and micro-sized enterprises, the SMMEs, within the 30 protected areas. Also, 5 852 jobs were created and 241 SMMEs were developed by provinces and management authorities through funding obtained from the environmental protection and infrastructure programme. There were 509 people from 15 protected areas who benefited in capacity-building on the use of natural resources.
The fifth People and Parks conference held in September underscored the importance of community involvement, frameworks and co-ordination structures in ensuring the sustainability of the programme and enhancing rural development and green economy efforts. The conference deliberated on the issues of resolving land claims backlog and outlining the areas of co-operation between government and communities. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has developed the programme of action with specific timeframes on settlement of land claims. The Chief Land Claims Commission committed to finalise five claims settlements in each province for the 2013-14 financial year.
During this financial year, we will capacitate 400 beneficiaries in the use of natural resources and youth, women and people with disabilities. We will also continue promoting access for learners especially from disadvantaged background; and 5 000 learners will be offered opportunities to access our national parks this time.
According to the National Biodiversity Assessment 2012, wetlands are the most threatened ecosystems in South Africa, 48% of wetlands are critically endangered, and only 18% are protected. This is bad! This means that we need to put more effort in the conservation of our wetlands. However, we are making remarkable progress.
UMngeni Vlei Nature Reserve is the 21st wetland of the international importance as it has been designated a Ramsar site. It protects a significant portion of uMngeni River catchment area in KwaZulu-Natal. A total of R530 million has been invested in the rehabilitation of 906 wetlands. To date, the programme has provided 12 848 employment opportunities. [Applause.]
This year, we are celebrated the World Wetlands Day with Kareedouw community in the Koukamma Local Municipality. We chose the Kromme River catchment, which experienced dramatic floods in 2006 that resulted in heavy loss of life and property. Ten million has been invested in the rehabilitation of this wetland. A total of 60 local people were employed. The Kromme River catchment supplies about 40% of Port Elizabeth's water via the Churchill Dam.
Last year, we held the first hunting indaba in October 2012. An action plan was adopted, which included specific actions aimed at addressing four thematic areas, namely ecological impacts and benefits, economic impacts and benefits, community involvement and transformation, and legislative provisions.
The department is planning to host an annual hunting indaba as a way of engaging with key stakeholders in formulating a clear policy for the hunting sector. We will embark on a dedicated programme to provide support to the hunting and bioprospecting industries. The Minister has already mentioned this. We are just emphasising. Don't forget it. South Africa will host the first African Parliamentary dialogue on trade issues in biodiversity resources. Watch the space. [Interjections.]
Invasive alien species are a threat to our water resources. However, we reuse them as raw materials to manufacture eco coffins - they are taking care of our bodies when we are dead, school desks, garden benches, chess tables, bedroom furniture and walking sticks. To date we have established 3 eco factories, which created a total of 493 jobs, of which 52% are for women and 37% for the youth. From these factories 250 desks were handed over to Boitumelo High School in the Free State, and 250 to Maatla Primary School in Hoedspruit, in Limpopo. We will establish 18 eco factories within 3 years, which each will create 160 job opportunities.
Through our greening and open space management, we reverse environmental degradation, prevent illegal dumping and create recreational spaces for our communities, whilst creating job and training opportunities.
Recently, we handed over the R14 million eco-parks in Mdantsane and Duncan village to the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and created 168 job opportunities during the implementation of this programme.
We funded the domestic waste collection pilot project at the Mahikeng Local Municipality. The objective of this pilot project is to reduce waste. We know that we have the 3Rs - reduction, reuse and recycling. Five waste collection trucks were procured, and five contractors and 70 workers were trained and then capacitated on waste management.
We do know that we have challenges with waste hold. However, this project has serviced 31 856 households - not in town but out there. [Applause.] We are working with others. We know that we have the challenge of hazardous waste, especially the mercury. Actually we will be going to Japan where we want to establish a protocol on mercury - it is terrible. People are no longer eating fish in the developed countries because of the mercury that ends up in the ocean.
During the women's month, we will host the women mayors dialogue that is aimed at encouraging them to champion waste management in their respective municipalities. In order to protect our vulnerable coastline, we developed the ocean management strategy that will be implemented this year.
South Africa has declared the Prince Edward Island as a marine protected area, which makes the island the first of African offshore marine protected area and which contributes significantly to global initiatives towards the protection of offshore and deep ocean areas.
The Prince Edward Island marine protected area is intended to contribute towards the protection of unique species, habitats and ecosystem processes. It will also be a scientific reference point for future management of the area, including the impact of climate change on the whole southern ocean. It will also contribute to the integrated and ecologically sustainable management of marine resources of the area.
In January 2013, we visited the Vhembe District - the North Western parts of the Limpopo province and parts of Mpumalanga which were mostly affected by floods that swept away bridges, roads and fertile agricultural soil and also caused deaths and injuries in the areas. We are doing public awareness through road shows.
We have handed over R28,5 million to the Environmental Science Education Centre. University of Limpopo, please go and see that the state of the nation is there in South Africa, Africa and internationally - go there. [Applause]
Through the Kids in Parks programme, a total of 4 159 learners and 168 educators were enabled to have access to national parks, and will be increased this year to 5 000. We are continuing with the School-Based Environmental Education programme, implemented in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education.
In this current financial year, we will develop the sector gender framework. In terms of air quality, we have got the "Basa njengo Magogo" programme - the hon Zikalala who takes care of ... [Time expired.] Let us take care of our environment, all of us. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
The TEMPORARY HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Prof.L B.G Ndabandaba): We thank the hon Minister, particularly for making reference to the Prince Edward Island.
Mrs P BHENGU
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 8
The TEMPORARY HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Prof L B G Ndabandaba)
Ms P BHENGU: Chairperson, hon Ministers and Deputy Minister, hon Members of Parliament, departments, family, the director-general and guests in the gallery, the ANC-led government will continue, wherever it is required, to make its humble contribution to the African Union and the United Nations' peacekeeping initiatives on the continent.
The ANC does this because it believes that Africa cannot develop if the continent is not peaceful and that there can be no peace without development as the two are indivisibly intertwined. As it was amplified at the Ready to Govern Conference in 1992 which stated that the mineral wealth beneath the soil is the national heritage of all South Africans, including future generations. As a diminishing resource, mineral wealth should be used with due regard to socioeconomic needs and environmental conservation.
Since our first democratic elections in 1994, the ANC-led government has placed human rights at the heart of our nation's development agenda and has enshrined in our Constitution, the right to an environment that is conducive to the health and wellbeing of our people and one which is protected for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, for the first time placed the people and conservation at the centre of environmental management. The ANC government ensures that South Africans continue to enjoy their constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health. There is a great focus in addressing challenges in the area of pollution and waste management.
The ANC-led government's work focuses on ensuring that there is less waste disposed at landfill sites, increased waste services and waste management systems. Effective environmental impact assessment and management systems are in place to ensure that we are able to effectively and proactively manage, minimise and mitigate against potential negative impacts of significant development activities and development patterns in line with the ANC-led government's policy, legislation, goals and strategies.
It is estimated that each year, air pollution costs the public health system over R3 billion to address air quality related respiratory infections. This pollution includes greenhouse gas emissions which are the causes of human induced global warming and climate change. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of this century and impacts on global environmental, social and economic systems as it threatens to undermine developmental gains.
South Africa is rich in species, ecosystems and natural heritage which form the very foundation of our economy and society; providing eco-system services such as food security, clean and secure water.
In October 2011, Cabinet approved the National Climate Change Response White Paper. The policy paper sets out South Africa's vision for an effective climate change response, and a transition in the longer-term to a climate resilient and lower carbon economy and society. The ANC-led government's work focuses on implementing the policy towards the development and implementation of the National Vehicle Emissions Strategy which will clearly define the national approach on dealing with carbon emissions from the many vehicles in South African roads.
One of the recent achievements in efforts to dealing with waste is the recently launched National Waste Management Strategy during 2011. The strategy aims to promote effective minimisation of waste and ensure the effective and efficient delivery of waste services among others. The Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Strategy process is another initiative that facilitates a participatory process in order to compile a strategy that gives effect to the objectives of integrated environmental management within the context of the principles of sustainable development.
An area of concern is the continuing plundering and pillaging of our natural resources. To tackle this scourge head-on, the ANC government will contribute to continue to put systems and processes in place to fight environmental crimes and the lack of compliance with legislation.
To ensure that land and infrastructure development takes place in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, the ANC-led government ensures that there are adequate instruments to improve efficiency and effectiveness of environmental impact assessment systems across the country. These systems include development and environmental management frameworks where certain areas are identified as critical development areas with increasing development pressures.
The ANC-led government intends to initiate the development of regulations to legislate the development of Strategic Environmental Assessments, and is further working towards the development of a Strategic Environmental Management Framework for energy applications, specifically renewable energy applications.
The ANC-led government promotes behaviour that contributes to sustainable development through the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 2008, particularly recycling efforts, and the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 2004 to address monitoring and enforcement in air quality management.
In 2008, the Cabinet approved the National Framework for Sustainable Development. The approval signalled a new wave of thinking aimed at promoting the effective stewardship of South Africa's natural, social and economic resources. This National Strategy for Sustainable Development and Action Plan - also referred to as NSSD 1 2011-2014 - was approved by the Cabinet on 23 November 2011.
The NSSD 1 builds on the 2008 NFSD and several initiatives that were launched by the business sector, ANC-led government, NGOs, civil society, academia and other key role players to address issues of sustainability in South Africa. The NSSD 1 is in the implementation period 2011-2014.
The lessons and evaluation of progress regarding the implementation of NSSD 1 will inform NSSD 2 2015-2020. This is a proactive strategy that regards sustainable development as a long-term commitment, which combines environmental protection, social equity and economic efficiency with the vision and values of the country.
The NSSD 1 marks the continuation of a national partnership for sustainable development. It is a milestone in an ongoing process of developing support, and initiating and upscaling actions to achieve sustainable development in South Africa.
The 1992 Rio Earth Summit, which was followed by the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development, provided a platform to learn and begin to implement sustainability practices. The 2012 Rio+20 identified two important themes to support the country's efforts. These are the green economy, in the context of sustainable development and the poverty eradication, and the institutional framework for sustainable development.
The following five strategic objectives are identified in the NSSD 1: Enhancing systems for integrated planning and implementation; sustaining our ecosystems by using natural resources efficiently; towards a green economy; building sustainable communities; and responding effectively to the climate change's various interrelated and enabling interventions that promote sustainable development being implemented throughout the country.
The NSSD 1 identifies 113 interventions that can be monitored for implementation. Twenty headline indicators have been identified to monitor progress in the implementation of NSSD 1 2011-2014. These headline indicators are selected from existing indicators, including the Development Indicators, the Millennium Development Goals and the 12 ANC-led government's outcomes.
South Africa's commitment to a long-term sustainable development trajectory that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable requires scientific, technological and innovative capabilities supported by strategic public investments and strategic partnerships. The ANC-led government in collaboration with all key stakeholders galvanised action towards the implementation of the strategy through the harmonised planning and execution of programmes.
The Constitution of South Africa recognises the vital role of both ecological and mineral resources in a development path and that these are not necessarily opposing objectives in a development path.
Mainstreaming biodiversity in the mining sector provides direction on how to avoid, minimise or remedy mining impacts as part of a thorough environmental impact assessment, the EIA, and a robust environmental management programme. As such, the guidelines establishes a four-step mitigation hierarchy aimed at encouraging proactive planning that would firstly avoid disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity as a first approach.
In cases where loss of biodiversity cannot be avoided, the mitigation hierarchy encourages finding alternative methods in mining that would minimise the impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The mitigation hierarchy makes reference to the importance of rehabilitating those areas where biodiversity loss was unavoidable and could not be minimised.
IsiZulu:
Ukunakekela imvelo nokuthuthukisa izimpilo zabantu bakithi ngeke sikuyeke, ngeke sikuhlukanise njengoba siqhubekela phambili sikwenza siyinhlangano ebusayo uKhongolose. Njengoba uMongameli wethu ohloniphekile uZuma eke wasikhumbuza enkulumweni yakhe yonyaka ayethula kule Ndlu yesiShayamthetho, ukuthi lena kuzoba yinkombandlela lapho zonke izakhamuzi zaseNingizimu Afrika zizoba namanzi ahlanzekile, ugesi, ezokuthuthwa kwendle, imisebenzi, izindlu, ezokuthutha, ezemfundo, ezempilo ezizingeni eliphezulu, ezokungcebeleka nezemvelo ehlanzekile.
English:
Ours is to ensure that the key programmes we execute respond positively to or support the noble ideas espoused in the NDP. Every child born in SA today must upon their 21st birthday be a living testament and an heir to the strides ... [Time expired.] The ANC supports the Budget Vote.
Mrs I C DITSHETELO
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 9
Ms P BHENGU
Mrs I C DITSHETELO: Chairperson, protocol observed, learning that less than 10% of South Africa's rainfall is available as surface water, induces apprehension not only for environmental enthusiasts but for layman as well, especially that groundwater resources appear to be limited. Water is life after all.
We need much more stringent regulations for our rivers and an effective enforcement thereof if we are to meet water demand in years to come. We need to safeguard our natural habitat responsibly from climate change. This cannot be the task of the department even though, admittedly, the latter must spearhead any interventions intended to mitigate environmental factors.
The department must also mitigate the serious effects of the production and consumption of coal to the environment, how it pollutes our air and water, and how it contributes to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It is a concern that about three million households burn fuel wood for their energy needs.
How is this sustainable, when thinking of our forests? The department must look at levels of harmful pollutants in our rural homes and establish whether there is no link between the pollution in homes and respiratory illnesses.
Of course, pollution from our homes is nothing compared to emissions from our industrial sector. This is our primary concern and we seem to be stuck between a hard place and a rock. As we need more industrialisation for the creation of jobs, but there is also a need to mitigate the effects of industrialisation on our environment.
We absolutely concur with Minister Molewa's recent utterances that we cannot continue to use water as if it is an unlimited resource. We want to add that when we address water conservation. The UCDP supports Budget Vote 30. [Applause.]
Mrs D R TSOTETSI
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 9
Mrs I C DITSHETELO
Mrs D R TSOTETSI: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister Molewa, hon Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi, hon members, our guests and colleagues, let me start by announcing that we will be hosting the 8th Annual Air Quality Governance Lekgotla in the Western Cape from 30 September to 2 October 2013 under the theme: "Towards the First Decade of Unified and Sustainable Air Quality Governance in South Africa." Note that please.
At its 53rd National Conference in Mangaung, the ANC resolved to continue to influence progressive ideas and policy on how best to improve and ensure the sustainability of the environment. In the past few decades, an awareness of the damaging effects of environmental pollution on human beings and their quality of life has increased dramatically.
The needs of South Africa's 51 million people are largely derived from or dependent upon our environment. This dependence is quite significant, as there are eight times more people who are trying to survive on the same quantity of natural resources as was the case a century ago. Increased resource consumption and waste production are in the meantime, impairing the functioning and productivity of the ecosystem. Increased influence through employment also leads to the increased consumption of natural resources and increased production of wastes and air pollution.
Many national constitutions and laws recognise the rights to a healthy environment. Prior to South Africa developing constitutional provisions that guarantee the right to a healthy environment, the ANC in 1994 developed its principles of environmental policy which states that the ANC believes that all citizens of South Africa, present and future, have the right to a safe and healthy environment and to a life of wellbeing. It furthermore stated that the broad objective of its environmental policy will be to fulfil this right and, in this context, growth and development within South Africa will be based on the principles of sustainability.
This fundamental belief of the ANC translated itself to constitutional provisions that guarantee the right to a healthy environment. A number of factors or drivers that stem from socioeconomic activities influence the environment affecting ecosystem, health and people's quality of life.
Waste management and air quality management are just some of the environmental management functions that have received priority in recent years. Waste has direct and indirect impact and if not removed attracts vermin, which can be vectors of disease. The effects of waste on environment such as the contamination of surface and ground water resources are primarily damaging. Atmospheric emissions from incinerators and the illegal burning of waste contribute to air pollution. These pollution components include volatile organic carbon compounds that may pose human health risks.
Technology can change into actions, influence the use of resources in production and change the flow of waste production and the manner in which they are managed. Cleaner production technologies seek both to protect the environment and improve production. Cleaner production is an important area of technological investment in South Africa.
Effective management of chemicals and wastes is an important area in ensuring access to a safe and healthy environment. The ANC-led government has put in place a revolutionary legislative regime for waste management with the enactment of the National Environmental Management Act commonly known as Nema. With the approval of the National Waste Management Strategy by Cabinet last year, this Act is already in the implementation mode. This strategy ushers in a new regime in waste minimisation while responding to the need to create jobs in the recycling sectors of the economy.
An amount of R65,7 million has been appropriated for chemical and waste management in this year's budget. This amount will increase to R72,2 million in 2014-15 and R79,2 million in 2015-16. The spending focus over the medium-term will be on developing an appropriate legislative framework and building the capacity in order to improve the provision of quality chemical and waste management services across the country, with clear environmental health benefits for communities.
In the next five years, all key stakeholders and other spheres of government will continue working together to ensure that effective waste management strategies are developed and implemented to effectively deal with and manage toxic and hazardous chemicals.
Improving the quality of our air is arguably one of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues. Air pollution and health impact studies in South Africa reflect that air pollution exposure result in numerous health problems in the general population, with the effects more pronounced among the elderly and the young people. Vulnerability to air pollution and other environmental problems is also more evident among the poor. This vulnerability has been worsened due to the location of heavy industrial developments in close proximity to high density residential areas.
There is therefore growing concern in South Africa about the levels of air pollution, mainly from industrial and commercial emissions; the domestic use of wood, coal and paraffin; vehicle exhaust emissions; biomass burning; and energy production.
It is proposed in the South Africa's 2012 draft Environment Outlook report that compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the NAAQS, be achieved by 2020. By then, the air quality in all low-income settlements should meet the requirements of these standards which are aimed at limiting the emission of pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide amongst others.
The aim of air quality management is to protect public health and the environment from the damaging effects of air pollution and to eliminate or reduce, to the minimum, human exposure to hazardous air pollutants. To achieve sustainable development, it is necessary to develop air quality policies, strategies and government policy which will serve as the foundation for air quality management.
It is estimated that air pollution costs the public health system over R3 billion to address air quality related respiratory infections each year. These pollutions include greenhouse gas emissions which are the cause of human induced global warming and climate change.
The climate change and air quality management programme receives R233,8 million for this financial year. This amount will increase to R247,7 million in 2014-15 and R260,1 million in 2015-16. The spending focus, over the medium-term will be on air quality management and providing for the country's ability to more accurately predict significant changes in weather patterns.
The ANC has played a leading role in shaping global debates on environmental justice, including through participation in the Rio Earth Summit, followed by South Africa's hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. At these historic forums, the ANC has consistently championed a progressive response to the environmental dimensions of developmental challenges facing Africa and countries of the South. [Time Expired.] Chair, not even one minute? [Laughter.] The ANC supports the Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr F A RODGERS
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 10
Mrs D R TSOTETSI
Mr F A RODGERS: Chairperson, Madam Minister, hon members and guests, it is perhaps fitting with the imminent first state visit of the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama that I open with his wise words, and I quote: "This is the moment when we must come together to save this planet. Let us resolve that we will not leave our children in a world where the oceans rise, famine spreads and terrible storms devastate our land."
We live in a fast and ever-changing environment where enormous pressure and demands are being placed on our precious planet and its limited resources. Our population is on the ever increase, urban development continues at an alarming rate, housing as well as transport, both road and air, are all part of a growing demand that face us on a daily basis. The quest for employment sees an ever-increasing demand on the commercial, industrial and mining sectors.
In the pursuit of economic freedom we often forget and neglect our environmental freedom. This all occurs on a finite resource base further compounded by increase in carbon emission, waste and various other by-products that are increasingly destroying the very world that we cherish.
One of the challenges facing our environment in South Africa is mining, an industry that is interwoven into the very fabric of our nation and an industry that will remain at the heart of our country for decades to come. Mining plays a vital role in the growth and development of South Africa and its economy. However, if not monitored and controlled it has an impact on our country's biodiversity that is not sustainable.
As a nation, government, industry and business, we must realise that the environment is not a free commodity. Everything we do has an impact on our environment and ultimately our future and the future of our children.
We need to ensure that all our mines respect and adhere to our environmental policies and legislation. Many do and many lead by fine example; however some do not and do not operate without any reverence for our laws and our environment. These renegade operators need to be brought to book and face the might of the law.
One of the greatest challenges we face is the threat to our fresh water supply, particularly in the pursuit of mining, minerals and the industrial sector. Catchments are already heavily polluted by the mining sector and six out of 19 of these catchment areas will not have enough water to meet sustained demands by 2030. Twelve percent of our land generates 50% of our river flow and much of this 12% is in the coal rich mining areas. To sustain life as we know it, fresh water must take centre stage.
The National Development Plan recognises the difficulty in moving to a resilient low-carbon economy but does not address the protection of our fresh water resource. Coal accounts for the bulk of our energy supply and energy production accounts for 70% of our green house gas emissions.
Mining and the processing of minerals demand very high energy consumption. Eskom further compounds our environmental impact with very little change in mind shift when it comes to coal-powered stations. If anything, this number will soon increase from 10 to 12 coal-driven stations.
Due to these challenges, Parliament passed an amendment to the National Environmental Management Act in 2008. The purpose was to move the issue of mining licenses from the Department of Energy and Minerals to the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs. This relied on amendments to the Minerals and Petroleum Resource Development Act which were also passed. It would appear that the reasons for these amendments have still to come to fruition and a grey and murky area exists between the two departments as to the granting of mining licences.
The Department of Mineral Resources does not have a great track record when it comes to environmental governance. Both departments - the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Mineral Resources need to develop closer co-operation to address these challenges. Currently, more than 70 mines are operating without water licences. This matter needs immediate attention and the sole responsibility should be placed at the door of the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, to belabour this issue is to the detriment of our resources.
In both the Department of Water Affairs and Environmental Affairs, staffing to enforce compliance and monitoring remains a challenge. Only 30 dedicated posts exist. There is a constant challenge in trying to retain skilled staff. If one considers the Water Affairs report on water monitoring on waste discharge points, sampling points and mines, the figures speak for themselves. Both waste discharge and sampling points where only an average of 50% of the targets were achieved and only 457 of our almost 1 600 mines have been inspected.
The Green Scorpions have been a welcome asset to the department in dealing with national environmental compliance and monitoring. These posts have increased from 903 in 2010 to in excess of 1 400. However, if one takes into account that 600 of these posts are in our national parks and a few hundred in our provincial parks, only 66 dedicated Green Scorpions are utilised in the department nationally; a tall order taking into account the number of posts and the enormity of the task at hand.
The Minister, her department and the portfolio committee need to be congratulated on realising the necessity of the green economy. The green car project is an initiative of forward thinking and planning. I just hope I'm around to drive one of those cars.
The DA-led government in the Western Cape - and as the Minister so aptly said to me at the water debate, "listen you'll become cleverer" - is leading the way in environmental programmes in South Africa. In creating an enabling environment where business can flourish, the Western Cape identified the need to stimulate South Africa's green economic hub.
The province has become the leader in the manufacturing of solar and wind-generated power industries. It launched the 110% Green Initiative, the Genius of Place concept, Smart Living and Working project, as well as the Green Economy and Strategy Framework. These show the difference clear political will and direction can have on implementing real change. As the saying goes: "Some lead and the others will follow".
I would like to close with the statement from Richard Branson, and I quote:
We have a chance to take a shot at really working together to turn upside down the way we approach the challenges we are facing in the world and to look at them in a brand new, entrepreneurial way. Never has there been a more exciting time for all of us to explore the great frontier where the boundaries between work and higher purpose are emerging into one. [Time expired.]
I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr J J SKOSANA
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 11
Mr F A RODGERS
Mr J J SKOSANA: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister Molewa, hon Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi, hon members and distinguished guests, the ANC's vision has sought to embrace a transformative environmentalism based upon the concept of sustainable development, which is built upon the interconnection of environmental, social and economic justice.
The ANC's vision is of a South Africa that aspires to be a sustainable, economically prosperous and a self reliant nation that safeguards its democracy by meeting the fundamental human needs of its people and by managing its limited ecological resources responsibly for current and future generations.
In November 2011, Cabinet approved South Africa's National Strategy for Sustainable Development and Action Plan, which is aimed at providing both private and public sector organisations with guidance in their long term planning. It sets out key areas which require attention, to enable a shift towards a more sustainable development path. The lessons learned during the implementation period of 2011-2014 of the Action Plan will inform the review process and development of the second phase of the strategy, which will cover the 2015-2020 period.
The Department of Environmental Affairs continues to lead South Africa's participation in international engagements at multilateral and bilateral levels, with the aim of advancing national and regional interests in relation to issues of environmental management and sustainable development. The medium-term plan for 2011 to 2016 indicates that the top priority areas include support to local government in the areas of air quality management, waste management, coastal and open-space planning, strengthening compliance and enforcement activities. The plan is also aimed at ensuring that a significant contribution is made to the achievement of the national priorities, particularly the New Growth Path.
Climate change caused by human activities is considered to be among the most serious threats to global sustainable development, economic activity, human health, physical infrastructure and natural resources. These impacts will seriously undermine efforts to achieve sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals. The main changes in the South African environment are increasing variability in the climate, declining air and water quality, degraded land, and declining natural resources due to overexploitation.
Responses to global warming are not expected to reverse trends in the near future. Thus responses are changing to include strategies that focus on how to adapt to climate change, together with steps that aim to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change. At its 53rd National Conference in December 2012, the ANC noted that the climate change has a negative, economic and social impact on the lives of the people and, in particular on the most vulnerable society. The conference resolved that the global efforts to achieve the stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere must be intensified and green economy policy programmes implemented. The conference further resolved that South Africans must adapt to and manage unavoidable and potential damaging climate change impacts through interventions that build and sustain social, economic and environmental resilience.
Following an extensive and consultative process with relevant stakeholders, the Cabinet approved in October 2011 South Africa's National Climate Change Response Policy. The Climate Change policy set out South Africa's climate change response strategy and presents our country's vision for an effective climate change response and a long-term transition to a climate resilient and low-carbon economy and society.
The National Development Plan shows a clear move to embracing low-carbon growth and calls on government to send a signal to industry and consumers that we are living in an environmentally stressed world. Protecting and improving the quality and safety of our environment is one of our critical outcomes aimed at ensuring that the current and future generations will continue to enjoy their constitutionally enshrined right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing.
The continuing plundering and pillaging of our natural resources is therefore an area of grave concern. Hence, we will continue to put systems and processes in place in support of the priority of fighting crime and corruption. It requires all of us as a collective to take drastic measures to help combat crime. The chairperson has covered the area of rhino poaching and the strategy to combat crime.
In his budget speech, the Minister of Finance announced that direct spending towards environmental programmes continues, such as installing solar water geysers, procuring renewable energy, low-carbon public transport, cleaning up derelict mines, addressing acid mine drainage, supporting our national parks, and in particular, saving our rhino population which gets R75 million in the mid-term. Let me pause a bit.
Hon Minister, all our speakers have lamented about the issue of rhino poaching of which is a threat to the country. I agree with the speakers from the opposition side and also in the ANC – we are lamenting one the same issue. As General Holomisa has indicated that the syndicate is within and we must do something, Minister. Our intelligence air section should check, in fact, these plans. What is happening within the country? There is no person who can come from Mozambique or Swaziland into our country and poach our rhinos. When we go to work, others get busy planning on how to kill a rhino and remove its horn so as to sell the horn and get a lot of money. That is unacceptable.
Minister, I should think we will support you in your endeavours and we have seen the processes whereby the law enforcement is protecting these rhinos. But now these criminals have gone all out to fight our law enforcement in the parks – that is also unacceptable. The communities living next to those parks must assist the government with the relevant information in order to curb this rhino poaching.
IsiZulu:
Mabasisize Ngqongqoshe bakhulume eMpumalanga, eLimpopo kanye naKwaZulu-Natali ngalolu zungu oluboshwayo mayelana nokubulawa kobhejane ukuze sikwazi ukubamba lezi zigebengu ngoba phela lapho kunezigebengu khona ayikho into enhle.
English:
The fight against unemployment and the eradication of poverty remains one of the ANC's key priorities to which we all have a responsibility and an obligation to make a contribution. The Natural Resources Management Programme which was transferred from Water Affairs has increased the Environmental Affairs' capacity to create more employment and skills development opportunities in the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme for the environment sector.
Some of the notable achievements in the implementation of these programmes during the 2011-12 financial year include the creation of 65 182 new work opportunities, 49 746 accredited person training days and 23 074 full-time equivalents.
As part of the ongoing commitment to support emerging businesses, 846 small, micro and medium-sized enterprises were supported in implementing these programmes. A total of 548 young people from various communities also benefited from the implementation of the National Youth Service.
The Wildlands Conservation Trust is to be one of 32 beneficiaries of a massive national project aimed at building human capacity and creating jobs in the biodiversity sector. The large-scale project, titled: Green Work, is aimed at developing priority skills in the biodiversity sector to create sustainable job opportunities for 800 unemployed graduates and matriculants. The posts are targeted at South African citizens from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly from rural areas. The focus is on the unemployed youth who must have either a matric certificates or a national diploma or bachelor's degree.
The ANC's position on environmental issues has been consistent and is reflected in the RDP document. It is this vision that has informed the various policies, programmes and actions of government since 1994. Contributing towards these policies, programmes and actions and the outcomes of building a better Africa and a better world, the Environmental Affairs will continue with efforts of advancing national environmental interests through a global sustainable development agenda. The ANC supports the Budget. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 12
Mr J J SKOSANA
The MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Hon Chair, I want to start by thanking all the hon members, especially the chairperson of the portfolio committee, all members of the portfolio committee, director-general - I did not do so earlier on - and your team, all those who supported us throughout this year and ongoing. Just to mention a few things acknowledging the inputs and additions made by all hon members Manganye, Bhengu and Tsotesti. I will touch on some issues as I try and respond within the limited time, from hon Holomisa and the hon member, Mama Zikalala, from the IFP as well as Ferguson.
Starting with the issue of rhino, I think all of us are concerned with the rhino poaching, but let us all understand that we are really doing all in our powers. The interventions that we are doing are ranging from the legal to even the ICT, everything, including intelligence, hon Holomisa. Because we are working with the security forces and this is why this has been elevated into a priority crime. It is a much challenging crime. There is something extra that we have to do. Perhaps the issues raised by the hon Chair are part of the answer and we are going to try that.
We will be hosting another Cop 17, and that is where we think that we should start preparing to actually put on the agenda, the possible trading issue – rhino horn. It is one of the things that we have not tried but we have tried many others. So, let us work together and begin with those preparations right now.
The issues that the hon Wenger raised about matters of possible fencing, we are engaging with Mozambique. I am only left with the opportunity to go and meet my counterpart and we have been trying to discuss the issue of possible fencing. It is still in the programme - still in the treaty. So, once we agree ... we have also elevated this matter to our Presidents. So, we have to start discussing because we cannot, unfortunately just arrive and put up a fence, we have stockpiles, which is part of the programmes that we are preparing for as we go towards Cop 17.
Concerning rhino pouching, let me also say that what we are beginning to see and what we are dealing with is not just rhino and elephant poaching, it includes general environmental crimes because there are people who steal everything, even our lizards and apes; we find them elsewhere, which I will tell you more about when we will be in the portfolio committees.
We are also looking at issues of air quality programmes – I am just touching on issues that are within the limited time. Renewable energy applications are in our pipeline. I think you know that in this country we have the integrated resource plan that also talks to the need to increase renewable energy as opposed to coal powered and fossil fuelled energy creation. So, we are moving in that direction and that is the reason why I was earlier on talking to the figures that we have achieved.
Hon Rogers, we accept the green economy, and the fact that there are provinces that are moving. And I think we need for a little bit just stop politicising this matter. I am glad that in the environmental circles we are talking without real politics that taking care of our environment is at the heart of the matter.
What I want to ask from our colleagues from the DA in the Western Cape is that they really need to help us speed up the environmental impact assessment. That is the highest number that is remaining behind - help us deal with the issue and we will take care of the rest, like the green economy –we will drive towards that direction. Thank you very much.
I have informed the Deputy Minister that I have 11 issues that I have to deal with in three minutes. I think, colleagues, the last thing that I need to deal with is the authorisation between the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Mineral Resources. The matter is being taken care of. As a matter of fact, the two portfolio committees have been requested to meet to make sure that we synchronise the amendments in the two laws, which are both before Parliament as we speak, in order to bring about the synchronisation authorisation between us. We are mindful of the fact that we need to make the mining industry also comply with the environmental laws as they should, and we are glad that many of them have already begun to do so. Those are really the issues that I thought are important, not that the others are not important, but thank you very much.
We will definitely engage at portfolio committee level on many other issues that have been raised; nothing that you have raised is unimportant. Thank you very much for your support. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The Committee rose at 16:34.
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