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EnvironmentQuarterly

Apr - Jun 2015: Sustainable Consumption: Doing More with Less

ii Environment Quarterly : April – June 2015

www.environment.gov.za : Environment Quarterly 1

Content ARTICLES IN ENVIRONMENT QUARTERLY THIS ISSUE: April–June 2015

14

4

37

Cover story

4 Seven billion dreams for Mother Earth

Features

7 Northen Cape landfill site set to create 426 jobs

8 Budget Vote speech

12 R208 million worth of projects launched at Imbizo

13 EPIP projects set to create 453 jobs in Umtshezi

14 Minister calls on the people of Madala hostel to look after their living spaces

15 Youth Environmental Services programme grooms future leaders

16 Focus on youth: Growing sustainable livelihoods for the youth of South Africa

26 Food waste facts

30 SANBI celebrates 40 years at the Chelsea Flower Show

34 Green Scorpions: Protecting the environment

36 iSimangaliso: Rare species

38 Stakeholders present their stance on rhino trade

Regulars

2 Editorial

22 Leadership profile: SANParks CEO Mr Fundisile Mketeni

23 Research: Has the Earth’s system become unstable?

25 Operation Phakisa: High-end technology to unlock SA’s economic potential

39 All Rise in Court: High Court denies bail to appellants accused of illegal hunting

40 Vox Pops: How do you Reduce, Reuse and Recycle?

78

23

2 Environment Quarterly : April – June 2015

Editorial

Dear Valued Stakeholder

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has designated the theme of World Environment Day this year as “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care”. Our first edition of Environment Quarterly for the 2015/16 financial year, coincides with the worldwide celebrations of Environment Day on 05 June, and South Africa’s national Environment Month.

The well-being of our planet, people, environment, and the functioning of economies, ultimately depends on the responsible management of the Earth’s natural resources. According to UNEP, many of our planet’s ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change. Evidence is building that people are consuming far more natural resources than the planet can sustainably provide. This is driven by high population growth and

unsustainable economic development. Should this trend continue, we would need the equivalent of three of our planet’s worth of resources and space by the year 2050, as our rising population is expected to reach 9.6 billion by then.

The message we must internalise from this year’s Environment Month campaign is that human prosperity need not cost the earth. We can all play our part in living sustainably, by doing more and better with less. Behaviour change is key in stemming the tide of the unsustainable use of our planet’s resources. In this edition we have compiled features and articles with tips on how everyone can achieve this. There is something for the whole family as we’ve included information for youngsters and schools, businesses and everyone with a presence on social media. We encourage you to make this information part of your daily life and to share it widely.

This year’s Environment Month’s calendar of activities includes a clean-up campaign on 05 June and an open day with the Northern Cape provincial government and our departmental entities: the SA Weather Service, SA National Biodiversity Institute, and SA National Parks, led by Minister Edna Molewa on 06 June in Kimberley. The event will showcase interventions in the sector, aimed at sustainable consumption and educating the public, particularly youngsters as June is also Youth Month.

In addition, the month’s activities include World Oceans’ Day on 09 June and World Day to Combat Desertification on 17 June. This edition contains the continuation of our series on Operation

Phakisa. The environmental component of Operation Phakisa aims to unlock the economic potential of our oceans, which have the potential to contribute an estimated R170 billion to South Africa’s gross domestic product by 2033, compared to the R54 billion contribution in 2010. This is a tangible, long term initiative which showcases how to sustainably derive value from natural resources. The Operation Phakisa article in this edition focuses on the Earth observation technology implemented by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

With regard to World Day to Combat Desertification, the United Nations has designated 2015 as the International Year of Healthy Soils, amongst others, in order to highlight the importance of caring for soil and promoting an understanding of its value. Our edition includes some “Food for Thought” in the form of a poster on the importance of healthy soils for food security and its links to biodiversity.

This is but a small sampling of the news and information we have put together for you in this quarter. On behalf of the Editorial team, I would like to extend a word of thanks to all of our contributors. We welcome articles and photographs from the Environmental Affairs staff, members of the public, scientists and researchers, as well as our stakeholders in the environment sector. Finally, the Editorial team extends a warm welcome to Ms Erica Mathye, who has recently joined Environment Quarterly as the new editor.

Editor-in-ChiefLavinia Mahlangu-Engelbrecht

Head of CommunicationsAlbi Modise

Editor-in-ChiefLavinia Mahlangu-Engelbrecht

Editor Erica Mathye

Editorial TeamGaopalelwe MoroaneVeronica MahlabaZibuse Ndlovu

Cover DesignBrian Chapole

Design & LayoutBrian ChapoleItumeleng MotsepeSibusisiwe NxumaloKatlego Seabelo

ContributorsTshego LetshwitiReyhana Mahomed

Madimetja MogotlaneNicole LimberisFanie van RooyenNomvuyo Mlothshwa

Photography

Sivuyile Ngaba

Kagiso Letsebe

Madimetja Mogotlane

Nomvuyo Mlothshwa

Meet our team

Find more information on: www.environment.gov.za or call 086 111 2468

Sustainable Consumption: Doing more with less



Cover feature:

By Erica Mathye, Gaopalelwe Moroane and Tshego Letshwiti

The well-being of humanity, the environment, and the functioning of the economy, ultimately depend upon the responsible management

of the planet’s natural resources. Evidence is building up that people are consuming far more natural resources than what the planet can sustainably provide. Many of the Earth’s ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and unsustainable development. By 2050, if current consumption and production patterns remain the same and with a rising population expected to reach 9.6 billion, we will need three planets to sustain our ways of living and consumption

The Department of Environmental Affairs and its entities: South African Weather Service, South African National Parks, South African National Biodiversity Institute and Isimangaliso encourage all South Africans to play their part in living, working, travelling and consuming sustainably.

National Environment Month

This year’s theme for Environment Day is “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.” The activities include:• World Environment Day (celebrated

on 5 June) focuses on the activities that humans are doing on the ground and the degradation of natural resources as well as what each one of us can do to minimise the effects.

• World Oceans Day (celebrated on 8 June) raises awareness on the crucial role the sea plays as a source of food, oxygen and medicine. This year’s theme is “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet”

• World Day to Combat Desertification (celebrated on 17 June) was proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations for the first time in 1994. It was created to involve the public in the drought problem.

The Department of Environmental Affairs is playing a big role in alerting people to

the damaging effects of the way we’ve been consuming the earth’s resources at a rapid rate. World Environment Month is therefore a month of advocating partnerships among all stakeholders and among all species living on this one planet and sharing a common future.

Research indicates that South Africa’s natural resource base is under severe pressure, with many ecosystems already seriously degraded and we are faced with the reality that our country is most likely to be seriously affected by climate change. This coupled with South Africa’s highly energy intensive nature point to the fact that we are currently on a development path which is unsustainable. The concept of sustainable development has been on the international agenda since the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972. Sustainability and sustainable development has been interpreted in numerous ways, with sustainable development having gained increasing recognition world-wide as a conceptual framework for development that recognizes the interdependencies between economic growth, social equity and environmental integrity.

Living within planetary boundaries is the most promising strategy for ensuring a healthy future. Human prosperity need not cost the earth. Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less. It is about knowing that rising rates of natural resource use and the environmental impacts that occur are not a necessary by-product of economic growth. The theme for 2015 is how the well-being of humanity, the environment and economies ultimately depends on the responsible management of the planet’s natural resources.

This year’s event will be held in Kimberley in Northern Cape. It is proposed that the Department of Environmental Affairs led by the Minister/Deputy Minister and supported by the senior leadership of the organisation, host an event in Northern Cape. The event will take the form of “Take the DEA to the People” approach

with the ultimate objective of heightening public awareness about the environment portfolio and the key players in the sector. The idea is to involve all the key programmes of the Department in the celebration of the day while allowing exhibitions and open-day format of celebration to be the key drivers of information dissemination.

World Oceans Day

On an annual basis the Department of Environmental Affairs joins the rest of the world on 8 June to celebrate World Oceans Day (WOD). This day was officially recognised by the United Nations (UN) in 2008 and is also observed by all UN member states, including South Africa. World Oceans Day offers an opportunity to raise global awareness about the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans, and also to be part of the solutions.This year’s theme them for WOD is Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet, which highlights the interlinked and vital relationship between the ocean and earth. As part of the Department’s initiatives in exploring the ocean from an economically beneficial point of view, the theme was then altered to Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet: Enabling Sustainable Ocean Economy Development.

Last year, DEA held the celebrations in Port Elizabeth and launched the National Environmental Management of the Oceans (NEMO) White Paper. The NEMO is aligned with government’s plans to unlock economic opportunities in the ocean environment. This process has led to the establishment and implementation of Operation Phakisa, which was launched by President Jacob Zuma, on 15 October 2014 in Durban. Some of the priority areas which were identified include marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, and aquaculture. Unlocking the economic potential presented by the living and non-living oceanic resources in South Africa is



a national imperative. The ocean as an untapped resource holds good promise and this was a key motivator for Operation Phakisa, exploring economic opportunities within the ocean space. The ocean has the potential to contribute up to R177 billion to the country’s GDP and between 800 and 1 million direct jobs.

This year, DEA will also use WOD as a platform to share the progress made since the launches of NEMO and Operation Phakisa and also build on the knowledge base for the region. The Department of Higher Education and Training has established the South African International Maritime Institute in November 2014 in Port Elizabeth and the Nelson Mandela Municipality University is about to establish a Chair for Marine Spatial Planning. Operation Phakisa has prioritised Marine Spatial Planning as a catalyst to integrated ocean governance and this initiative is led by DEA. This year’s event which will once again be held in Port Elizabeth, also offers an opportunity to reach out to the community and unemployed youth for public awareness and education on ocean environment.

World Day to combat Desertification

This year the Department of Environmental Affairs will celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) on 17 June in Nquthu village in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) under the theme: “No such thing as a free lunch. Invest in

healthy Soils.”The goal for this year’s event is to send a strong message to the general public and decision makers about security, eradicating hunger and poverty. The proposed theme as communicated by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat is “attainment of food security for all through sustainable food systems” which advocates for the recognition and strengthening of Goal 2 and 15 of the post-2015 goals recommended by the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals.

Goal 2 promotes the eradication of hunger while Goal 15 encourages country parties to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Goal 15.3 further urges country parties to combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land-degradation neutral world by 2020.

The 2015 event will focus on raising public awareness on issues related to security, eradicating hunger and poverty, as well as encouraging the participation of local communities in sustainable livelihoods projects.

KZN is one of the provinces severely affected by land degradation, desertification and the effects of drought

and has significant rural poverty. DEA will put a spotlight on one of the Nquthu Land Rehabilitation project In Dundee, KZN. The project started October 2014 and the expected completion date is July 2016. The project will employ 192 people from nine surrounding villages under Nquthu municipality, and is included in the Intergrated Development Plan of the municipality. To date the project has employed 55% women, 60% youth and 2% people with disability.

The project deliverables include amongst other things, the construction of gabions, (a cylindrical basket or container filled with earth, stones, or other material and used in civil engineering works or (formerly) fortifications), the planting of vetiver grass, the sloping of dongas and the planting of 1000 indigenous trees.

Above: This site was affected by desertification and has since been treated by the Working for Land and Land Care initiatives.

Above: Healthy soils that are free of desertification mean that livestock will be fed and thus curbing hunger in communities.

Government initiatives and programmes that address desertification and land degradation include:

• Working for Wetlands. • Land care.• Working for Water. • Community based Natural

Resource Management.• People and Parks.• Working on Fire.• Social Responsibility Policy and

Projects (SRPP) and other national and trans-boundary initiatives.



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re t

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are

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Above: Deputy Minister Barbara Thomson planted the evergreen Karee tree at Ga-Segonyana Tribal Authority as part of the 400-tree plantation project in John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality.

The community of Ga-Segonyana in the Northern Cape is the beneficiary of a new landfill site which was launched by the Deputy Minister of

Environmental Affairs, Barbara Thomson recently. Speaking at the launch on 09 April 2015, Ms Thomson said the site would create various job opportunities for people of the area.

“This project will be implemented using labour intensive methods and will create 426 work opportunities for the local people. Accredited training opportunities for them will also be created. Local small businesses will also get opportunities to provide goods and services during the implementation of these projects,” she said.

The Deputy Minister added that open spaces which were being used for the illegal dumping of waste and criminal activities will be converted to recreational parks. “This initiative will ensure that non-recyclable waste generated from businesses and households is transported to the landfill site and buy pack centres respectively. Other than this project, Ga-Segonyana Municipality is also benefiting from our Youth Jobs in Waste Programme which is a province-wide initiative intended at building waste management capacity within municipal administration,” she said.

The mayor of Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality, Councillor Tuelo Gibson Anthony, advised the community to look after its environment.

“I would like to advise you, the beneficiary of this landfill site, not only to use it as a dumping site, but as a recycling centre. We must educate those who are not in attendance that what is considered as waste on the street can be turned into wealth,” Councillor Anthony said.

One of the workers for the Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP), Kegomoditswe Sefako, said the launch served as awareness to the people of Ga-Segonyana.

“For our municipality to be singled out as the benefactor of this landfill site is highly appreciated. This will educate people about waste and its value. It is my duty to look after the environment and make sure that I keep it clean,” he said.

About the contributor: Madimetja Mogotlane Madimetja Mogotlane is a Senior Communications Officer, Internal Communications and Events in the Chief Directorate: Communications at the Department of Environmental Affairs. Mr Mogotlane is a former intern in Media Liaison at the Department and has journalistic experience.

Northern Cape landfill site to create 426 jobs for locals

By Madimetja Mogotlane

Above: Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programmes (EPIP) beneficiaries came in numbers to attend the launch.



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Green economy

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

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

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

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

As outlined in our Integrated Resource Plan, by 2030 we aim to have sliced our energy demand significantly, through technological innovation,

good behavioural practice and public commitment to more efficient, sustainable and equitable energy use.This includes the development of an efficient, lower-carbon public transport system that makes everyday use of private vehicles an unnecessary extravagance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUDGET VOTE SPEECH

On 14 May, Minister Edna Molewa delivered the 2015/2016 Budget Vote policy statement in Parliament in Cape Town. This is the speech in her own words:

FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS BY MINISTER BEE MOLEWA

Photos by Kagiso Letsebe & Sivuyile Ngaba


Green Fund interventions have realised some 30 000 hectares converted to conservation land-use, benefiting landowners within the wildlife economy.Waste management projects collected and recycled over 8 million kilogrammes of waste in 2014.

This Fund continues to make strides, with the recent approval of major projects within the thematic areas of energy and pilot technology for recycling of plastic, contributing significantly towards the management of plastic waste stream.In 2012 this fund was allocated an initial amount of R800 million and has been allocated an additional R590 million over the MTEF to continue its work.

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

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

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

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

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

These projects, to the value of USD 10 million include the enhancement of early warning systems, protecting local communities from extreme weather

events, and promoting climate smart agriculture practices.

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

EPWP Environmental Programmes

Last year, we committed to ensuring that we work with existing green sectors to maximise job creation co-benefits. This has largely been through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

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

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

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

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

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

Besides Working on Fire, we have Working for Water, Working for Wetlands, Working for Coasts and the People and Parks programme.

They continue to have an impact on not just sustainable rural development and

job creation: but also, importantly, climate change adaptation and resilience co-benefits.

Waste

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

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

opportunities for socio-economic development; new jobs and businesses; maximising resource recovery for downstream manufacturing growth and reducing reliance on declining natural resources. South Africa has been identified as one of five emerging markets with “exciting opportunities” in the waste sector, including organic waste, recyclables as well as waste streams from large industrial sectors such as power generation & mining.

Just this week, Ladies and Gentlemen, I opened the first Coca-Cola approved bottle-to-bottle recycling plant on the continent, right here in Wadeville, in Gauteng province. Not only is this a locally-owned and operated plant, it has created approximately 41 000 income opportunities in the PET bottle collection sector, with many of these recipients women.

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

BUDGET VOTE SPEECH


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

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

Another success story has been the waste tyre recycling sector.

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

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

• 53143T (31%) of the waste tyres have been diverted away from landfill: ei-ther being recycled, used for energy recovery or re-used

• 1981 jobs have been created• 181 SMME’s have been created in

transporting, depot operations, pro-cessing and micro collectors

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

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

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

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

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

We reconfirm our commitment made at the National Waste Summit to develop

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

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

Chemicals

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

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

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

“Construction of the asbestos free Mafefe Traditional Council

office is underway in Limpopo.”

Air quality

Recognising, we do, that pollution has severe negative impacts on the health of people and communities, and in particular, the poor, the ANC Government continues to advance pro-poor and pro-development laws and regulations.Industry compliance has been assessed and it is expected that full compliance with the new air quality standards will be attained, without hindering the growth of a sustainable economy.

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

Biodiversity management

Ladies and Gentlemen, South Africans,without our richly endowed ecosystem

services, natural resources and biodiversity base - there would be limited water, jobs, food, shelter, fuel, and medicine – not to mention the damage to key economic sectors like energy, agriculture and tourism.Furthermore, the impacts of climate change would easily be multiple times its current effects.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conservation

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

Whether it is illegal logging or fishing, species smuggling, the dumping of


toxic and hazardous waste, or wildlife poaching – environmental crime is often tied to other forms of criminal activity.

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

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

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

Let us all say: Not on our watch.

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

Oceans and coast

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

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

The implementation of this ocean economy intervention is well underway and a budget allocation of R85 million has been prioritised to develop the Marine Spatial Plan, the Oceans Bill, the establishment of 22 offshore Marine Protected Areas and to support aquaculture development in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.Finally, I will now briefly touch on our efforts to influence the global development agenda.

Climate change and sustainable development

2015 marks an important year on the United Nations calendar, as the focus shifts towards the adoption of a post-2015

development agenda,and negotiations of a new Finance for Development round - in which South Africa, as the current chair of the Group of 77 plus China will play a significant role.

Poverty eradication was identified as the greatest global challenge and an “indispensable requirement for sustainable development”. In order to support our national sustainable development effort the Department has mobilised a total of US$ 80 million from international sources over the next 3 years.

USD 30.6 million of this total has already been approved and a further USD 49,8 million already endorsed. These internationally supported initiatives will promote among others, organic waste-to-energy and other low-carbon technologies in small and medium-scale enterprises.

Climate change

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

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

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

We will submit our INDCs well ahead of the 1st October 2015 deadline. The UNFCCC Secretariat has sent messages

of appreciation to this august House for having finalised the ratification of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

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

Conclusion

Ladies and Gentlemen, as the milestones highlighted indicate, we as South Africa have much to be proud of with regards to our environmental regime. At present we are the only African country with presence in Antarctica.

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

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

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

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

I thank you.


Above: Minister of Environmental Affairs Mrs Edna Molewa speaking at the launch.

As part of National Imbizo Focus Week, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, travelled to Tzaneen

in Limpopo on 11 April 2015 to launch five People and Parks projects worth R208 million. “During this week, we as your elected representatives have been travelling the length and breadth of South Africa to hear the voices of our people who have entrusted us with this great responsibility to govern,” she said.

The National Imbizo Week is aimed at heightening communication around pronouncements made by the President during his State of the Nation Address.

The People and Parks projects are funded through the Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) as part of the overall Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The programme’s mandate is to contribute towards the alleviation of poverty while empowering beneficiaries to participate in the

mainstream economy in a manner that addresses the core objectives of the Department. Speaking to the community of Lekgalameetse, Minister Molewa said that in line with DEA’s commitment to job creation, skills development and enterprise development as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP), “we today launch R208 million worth of Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme initiatives. The initiatives will create at least 2 300 jobs for the people of Limpopo Province over a period of two years,” said Minister Molewa.

The projects will lead to amongst other things, the construction of chalets, the rehabilitation of old and dilapidated infrastructure with a particular emphasis on staff accommodation, the building of overnight visitor accommodation, the erection of perimeter fences, the upgrading of management roads and the development of an entirely new community-owned Nature Reserve in the province. The job opportunities come in

the form of the labour intensive methods which are consistent with the requirements of government’s EPWP.

Delivering his speech at the Imbizo, the MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in Limpopo Mr Seaparo Sekoati said political heads had dedicated the whole week to speaking to the people of Limpopo. “We want to hear what people are saying about the projects and services we have brought to our people. We are here to listen to you and roll out tangible projects that are needed by the people of Limpopo and not just by us,” he said.

Acting Executive Mayor of Mopani District Municipality, Councillor Mametja Mokgare supported Mr Sekoati’s statement. “It aligns with our vision that Mopani becomes a destination of ecotourism. With that said, in this Imbizo let us ask rational questions that will benefit the country and make meaningful changes to this community,” he said.

R208 million worth of projects launched at Imbizo

About the contributor: Veronica MahlabaVeronica Mahlaba is the Senior Communication Officer: Editorial Services at the national Department of Environmental Affairs, serving under the Communications Chief Directorate. Ms Mahlaba has experience as a Lecturer in the Media Studies Department at a private college. She has worked as writer for a metropolitan municipality and she is a keen photographer.

Above: The community of Tzaneen came out in numbers to speak to the Minister at Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve.

By Veronica Mahlaba


EPIP projects set to create 235 jobs in Umtshezi

Above: The implementer of the park, Mr Mark Faku (in black T-shirt) describing to the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson (in black and white) and the Umtshezi Local Municipality council how the park will look like when it is completed.

DEA’s Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) launched two projects in Umtshezi, KwaZulu-Natal on 31

March 2015.

Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson said the projects would create 235 job opportunities for the people of Umtshezi Local Municipality.

The Department of Environmental Affairs, through EPIP, has contributed R13, 8 million towards the two projects. The KZN Street Cleaners project for Umtshezi will receive R5 million, and KZN Rehabilitation of Existing Parks and Planting Trees project will receive R8, 8 million.

The projects are part of the Department’s Working on Waste Programme that is being implemented by the EPIP branch in Umtshezi. “Through these programmes we are truly working together to Move South Africa Forward. As we continue along the path towards Radical Socio-Economic Transformation, we know that without sustainable livelihoods, there can

be no sustainable development,” said the Deputy Minister. She also applauded the Municipality for the crucial role it played in providing the necessary documents required, fast tracking the recruitment of local people, and for providing continuous overall support.

Labour intensive methods in line with the requirements of Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP) are going to be used to execute the projects.

Non-accredited training opportunities have been provided and the department will also provide accredited training for the local people equipping them with necessary skills to enable them to find employment on exit from the projects.

The projects are contributing to the development of small business enterprises that have been used in providing services such as protective clothing, training, materials and equipment.

The Mayor of Umtshezi Local Municipality, Councillor Bongani Dlamini said the township of Wembezi where the park will

be constructed had been the cradle of political unrest in the past.

“When people see such projects being implemented, they get hope. The youth from this area is unemployed. When these places get transformed, it really changes the lives of the youth who are able to acquire skills through such projects. Thank you for choosing Umtshezi to be a beneficiary of these projects, it is much appreciated,” said the Mayor.

Born and raised at Wembezi Township, Ms Hlengiwe Mvelase said the projects will make a huge change in her community. “The park will give us a place to go to and relax with our families. over the weekends and holidays

“Our children will have a safe place to play in and we’ll know where they are as parents. People can have braais or picnics and do recreational activities instead of participating in criminal activities,” said Ms Mvelase.

By Veronica Mahlaba


Scores of Madala hostel residents in Mohlakeng south of Randfontein in Gauteng heeded the call by Minister Edna Molewa to keep

their environment clean on 2 May 2015. The hostel is home to hundreds of South Africans, most of them blue-collar workers, who wake up each day to work and provide for their families. But they need to do so from clean homes.

Led by the mayor of Randfontein Mzi Khumalo, the clean-up was also joined by fire fighters, Extended Public

Works Programmes (EPWP) workers, DEA employees and the residents themselves. Locals were motivated to join in the clean-up when they saw the Minister also kitted out in green overalls and black boots.

Addressing the residents, Minister Molewa said South Africans should support one another in keeping the environment clean. “We must use our environment for good and ensure the sustainable utilisation of the resources we have,” she said. She also addressed the issue of illegal connection of electricity that is

rife in the hostel. “To solve the problem of electricity, we need to get our people properly housed,” she said.

She also encouraged those who were losing hope in seeing change in their living conditions to take comfort in the efforts that have already been made. “I think we can all see that government is working for the people. The last time I came to the hostel, it was in a bad state in terms of filth but I am glad that the people have taken it upon themselves to clean up the space they live in,” she said.

Minister calls on the people of Madala hostel to look after their living spaces

Above: The team starts the clean-up at Madala hostel. Above: Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa picking up litter during the clean-up.

Above: Randfontein Mayor Mzi Khumalo leads the pack.

About the contributor: Erica MathyeErica Mathye is the Deputy Director: Editorial Services at DEA. Before joining the Department, she worked as a journalist, literature editor and sub-editor for various publications. Her interests include travelling and spending time on Pinterest looking for home improvement ideas.

By Erica Mathye



Youth Environmental Services programme grooms future leaders

About the contributor: Nomvuyo MlotshwaNomvuyo Mlotshwa is an Assistant Director: Programme Publicity and Liaison within the Chief Directorate: Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programmes. She markets and promotes the programme brand internally and externally.

Above: North West YES beneficiaries converted an illegal dumping site to a community park at Ikageng in Potchefstroom.

By Nomvuyo Mlotshwa

Youth Environmental Services (YES) beneficiaries are placed within various community service projects that enrich their skills and

personalities. They serve as class sit-in support to educators in primary schools and facilitate after school programmes for Grade 4-7 learners. They also conduct community clean-up campaigns, waste and alien plants removals, river cleaning, waste collection and recycling. They also participate in rhino awareness campaigns, community indabas, the management of community conservation areas, the development of community food gardens, and the development of community parks. They also take part in environmental restoration projects in the removal of alien trees, planting and propagation of indigenous plants and soil erosion management strategies.

Since its inception two years ago, the programme has managed to enrol 1800 youth beneficiaries throughout the country. The objective of the programme is to strengthen the abilities of young people to realise their potential through skills and personal development. Beneficiaries are offered accredited and non-accredited training. Accredited training is comprised of skills programmes and qualifications from various Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA)

institutions. This training includes but is not limited to:

Accredited Training• National Certificate in Natural

Resource Guardianship (NQF level 2).• National Certificate Environmental

Practice.• Environmental Awareness, Waste

Management and Recycling.• Nature Site Guide.• Housekeeping and Professional

Cookery, • Wildlife Security Training. • Environmental Educators Training,

Business Development Programme.• Horticulture.• Nature Conservation.

Non-accredited Training• Plant Propagation Techniques.• Personal Finance.• First Aid.• Business Skills.• HIV/AIDS Awareness.• Life Skills.• Basic Computer Skills.• Health and Safety.• Financial Management.• Business In Waste Management.• Basic Waste Management.• Banking Skills. • Education Awareness on Waste.• Personal Development.

During the YES graduation ceremony, Rosebank College offered a bursary to enrol one beneficiary in Office Administration, and presented the top achieving learner in Business Management with an award to recognise their excellent academic performance.

Speaking at the ceremony 23-year-old Mr Thamsanqa Masingi applauded the programme for the opportunities it had afforded to the beneficiaries.

“It has enabled us to contribute towards making a change within the South African community,” he said. “YES has empowered us to mentor kings and queens -- the learners of today and the future of tomorrow,” he continued.

Ms Giqwa said that 60% of the programme beneficiaries have been awarded exit opportunities with some getting employment opportunities within their host institutions, while others are self-employed and others furthering their studies. The programme aims to exceed the set target of 75% in attaining exit opportunities for its beneficiaries in 2015/2016 financial year.


Focus on youth

The Department of Environmental Affairs has created and sustained projects that benefit the citizens of South Africa. We are committed to

improving the socio-economic benefits within the environmental sector, by creat-ing 65 494 work opportunities which will yield 34 019 full-time equivalents jobs. The targeted designated groups are women, youth and people living with disabilities.

Our green economy interventions must support the National Development Plan to ensure that our programmes positively contribute to the target and centrally position our sector as a hub of job creation, while keeping to our mandate of protecting the integrity of our environment. The jobs created are coupled with skills development.

DEA went far and wide to speak to various project beneficiaries and find out how their lives have changed since starting the various projects. Their stories are different but represent a number of South Africans that have benefitted from sustained livelihoods.

Beneficiaries of Groen Sebenza get a new lease in life

For three years, between 2006 and 2009, Ms Grace Mavuso could not study because she could not afford the fees. She took on part-time jobs at hair salons and even sold hats and baked cookies to save enough money to go back to tertiary and complete her studies.

Growing sustainable livelihoods for the youth of South AfricaWhether it’s to grow their careers or get formal education, DEA is committed to empowering the young at heart and mind.

Above: The Free State youth dancing and celebrating the launch of the Youth Jobs in Waste programme in 2013.

By Gaopalelwe Moroane, Madimetja Mogotlane and Veronica Mahlaba


Growing sustainable livelihoods for the youth of South Africa

This was until she joined the Groen Sebenza programme in January 2014. The programme empowered her and changed her life for the better. Before joining Groen Sebenza, Ms Mavuso was studying towards a National Diploma in Environmental Science in Soshanguve in 2011. Unfortuantely, she had to stop her studies in her second year because her mother passed away and she didn’t have money to go on with her studies.

When she returned to tertiary, Ms Mavuso says it wasn’t easy because of the gaps she had taken. “You return to school to find younger students there. I had to learn to mix with them. After completing my course, I worked six months at a consulting company and thereafter they gave me a one-year contract. When the contract expired, I was left without a job,” she explains.

In 2013, Ms Mavuso came for interviews at DEA and was accepted in the Groen Sebenza programme. She now works in the Directorate: Compliance Environmental Impact and Pollution.

“What I love most about this programme is that we are given training that will make us more employable in future. I have had end-user computer training as well as a short course in Environmental Compliance with the University of Pretoria. I have also done a New Venture Creation course that encourages us to be business minded,” she said.

She adds that the Groen Sebenza programme has upgraded her and many others in terms of education.

“I have upgraded my skills and knowledge through DEA. I had never been in an aeroplane before but the job I do requires me to fly all over the country to do inspections. I have been exposed to a lot of things that I never knew.”

With her stipend , Ms Mavuso says she is able to help her husband with household responsibilities. In 2013, 22-year-old, Ms Precious Mthombothi from Soshanguve was an unemployed youth. Her life changed when she applied for the Groen Sebenza programme at DEA and got her big breakthrough.

“I started working in compliance, compiling documents for inspections, writing reports and minutes. I was then moved to Litigation as I am studying law. Now I can pay for my own tuition fees without taking up loans or asking money from my mother” she said.

Ms Mthombothi matriculated in 2009 from Langehoven High School. After matric, she did a computer literacy course while applying for space at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

Her application at UJ was succesful and she studied for one month before she dropped out due to lack of funds. She then decided to upgrade her maths and did field work with Census SA for a while. Thereafter she enrolled with UNISA for a law degree.

Ms Mthombothi says she has learnt a lot through the Groen Sebenza programme.

“Being stuck in one place is never a good thing. Pursue what is in your heart. I have learned to conduct myself professionally. I attend meetings and don’t yawn but contribute positively to the work environment and I can work with people from all levels.”

Youth Jobs in Waste Programme

Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa launched the Youth Jobs in Waste (YJIW) Programme in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State. We spoke to 28-year-old, Mr Themba Danster about his experience as a beneficiary of the programme.

“Unfortunate family circumstances stopped me from completing my tertiary studies so I was overjoyed when I got the opportunity to be in YJIW programme,”

said Mr Danster who is a collections administrator based at the Greenworks! Project. Greenworks! is the service-learning component responsible for training students to implement environmental improvement projects by combining community service with an academic curriculum. Mr Danster became involved in the programme after seeing a newspaper advert calling for youths who were interested in waste management jobs. “I was one of 17 successful candidates out of 85 applicants in Free State”

An average day in his job involves conducting door-to-door visits with his team around the Kroonstad community and teaching them about the importance of separating waste, and not using illegal dumping sites to dispose of their waste. He says they work very closely with the municipalities and provide feedback about the waste collection needs of communities.

For R3 080 a month, beneficiaries like Mr Danster are able to improve their quality of life while getting necessary skills for waste management activities.

“It is a fulfilling job. Not only do I see the impact of my work on the environment, but I am now more conscious of environmental management issues.

Mr Danster and his team work directly with what in the Free State community is known as ‘scavengers’. These men and women stand at landfill sites waiting for dumping trucks to pick up ‘treasures’ from some of the trash that has been delivered. Mr Danster and his team visit these sites and


teach people about how they can make money out of rubbish collection. This act instills a sense of dignity to waste collection and recycling.

“Before this job, I was the type of guy who easily threw rubbish everywhere without giving much thought to it, but after the training we received and the walks around the community we did, I now consciously look for bins, and am the first to teach my peers not to litter.

“I am particularly grateful for the Level 2 Waste Management course that we completed, which gave me an accredited qualification. This means that when I leave the programme after a year, I will not only hold skills, but a formal education as well,” says Mr Danster.

Because of the close relationship that the programme has with Moqhaka Municipality, as well as the skills gap in the municipality, there is a likelihood that the YJIW programme beneficiaries will be retained in the municipality.

“I am hoping that after further studies and more experience I will get the opportunity to be a waste management official in provincial or national government,” he said.

Opportunities at Sea

The Department of Environmental Affairs welcomed the SA Agulhas II on her return voyage from Antarctica under the watch of the first Black Master, Mr Knowledge Bengu.

The ship is used for a South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) relief voyage to the frozen southern continent where South Africa has maintained a base for over 50 years. Although the voyage proved challenging at times due to unusually thick ice and strong currents in the Southern Ocean, Mr Bengu and his crew were able to overcome the difficult sea conditions.

“Being a master of the SA Agulhas II has earned me a lot of respect amongst the seafaring community worldwide and it is very difficult to summarise such a big voyage in a few words. This voyage is the biggest highlight of my career and I hope it will give hope to those who are still aspiring to make the most out this career,” he said.

Mr Bengu’s job entails, among other things, having the overall and principal authority aboard the ship, maintenance of the ship and ensuring that she is in a seaworthy condition at all times. Knowledge acts as a gateway between

the vessel, Smit Amandla office, ship’s crew, the clients, safety of life at sea, protection of environment and pollution prevention.

“The seagoing career was never a mistake for me. Fikile Luwaca who was my neighbour at the time, worked in the shipping lines and used to bring me shipping magazines. He would often ask me if I had read the magazines and what my take was on a career at sea. The more magazines I read, the more interest I developed to become the captain of a ship one day. I used to dream of becoming a successful medical doctor but after I counted how many black doctors there were versus the black captains, the answer steered me to sea. I saw an opportunity to venture into this career with all my power. I expected lots of challenges but I was prepared to take them on and use them to my advantage,” says Mr Bengu.

He adds that he loves his job because he is paid to see the world in the most remote areas such as Antarctica, Marion, Tristan and Gough Islands, whereas other people would pay dearly to set their sights on these places. He also gets to engage with scientists coming from all walks of the scientific fraternity.

Above: The first black master of the SA Agulhas II, Knowledge Bengu with Minister Molewa.


“I personally get a chance to shape the young, up and coming officers into the best officers, and the most rewarding aspect about my job is the respect I have earned over the years,” he concludes.

DEA addresses skills shortage

The maximum amount for the full-time bursary is currently R 25 000. This amount is meant to cover books, tuition and accommodation fees. The bursary amount has not been increased for the past few years and the university fees increase every year by almost 10%. Due to the increase in tuition fees every year, the amount then becomes insufficient to cover all the costs. As a result of this, some students have declined our bursary offer and accepted bursaries from other companies. The average fees per year in most institutions is about R40 000.00, which is the recommended amount. The rule to pay the total amount as per invoice will still apply.

The department has managed to employ 11 bursars as permanent employees since the inception of the bursary scheme, 10 students already served the department and 14 students are currently serving the department as part of the bursary obligation. 21 students declined the bursary due to the amount that is offered by the department, as they felt that it is insufficient to cover their needs. The branches are consulted to ensure the study fields for the advert are relevant to the needs of the department. All study areas should be aligned to the career development plan of an individual employee and should be relevant to the employee’s occupational requirements. Approval of the study area is at the discretion of the bursary committee.

The department has implemented an internship programme, in line with the Human Resource Development Strategy of South Africa and the department of Public Service and Administration’s strategic framework for Human Resource Development. The departmental programme aims, on the one hand to create a pipeline of candidates that may compete for appointments within the department, and on the other, to support graduates in the development of work-based experience and competencies to enhance their ability to secure employment in the general labour market.

The internship offered by the department offers opportunities to unemployed South African under graduate and post graduate students who wish to apply in the fields that are in line with the departmental core business and who have not been previously employed under any internship program. Applicants should not be above 35 years of age. Applications are invited from candidates in different disciplines or fields of study.

Mr Delani Mathevula from the Sub-Directorate: Climate Change Adaptation, said the internship programme has opened many doors of future employment for him.

“This internship has given me the chance to explore a variety of roles. It has allowed me to develop valuable skills that employers are looking for. I was most impressed to have been given a lot of responsibilities in a short space of time. What made the internship a wonderful experience was the level of trust and the flexibility of those who assigned the duties to me,” said Mr Mathevula excitedly.It is requested that applications be submitted on a Z83 form obtainable from any Public Service department stating the field and reference number in which the candidate is applying for,

with the Curriculum Vitae attached, certified copies of certificates, academic transcripts (record) and an identity document. Failure to submit the required documents will result in the application not being considered.

Applications should not be faxed or e-mailed as they will not be considered. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If the applicants are not contacted by the department within three months of the closing date, they should consider their application was unsuccessful. Short-listed candidates will be subjected to an interview to determine their suitability.

The internship programme is offered for a period of 12 months. The successful candidates will be required to sign an internship contract for the duration of one year. Each intern shall sign a fixed-term contract of appointment. The department is under no obligation to appoint an intern after the expiry date of the internship period.

The Sub-Directorate: Learning and Development will receive and administer applications. It will also coordinate and facilitate processes for short-listing, interviews, and the approval of appointments to the internship programme. Relevant line Managers are responsible to produce the required shortlists of candidates, as well as to interview and recommend candidates for appointment as interns. An interviewing panel shall consist of at least three employees, one of which shall be the coach of the intern. A representative of the Directorate: Human Resource Management will participate in the interviews to ensure consistency and to provide guidance in the application of the recruitment policy and practice. The Sub-Directorate: Learning and Development will, on approval of the appointment of interns, facilitate the contract with the intern.

Above: Beneficiaries of the Youth Jobs in Waste Programme




Leadership Profile

1. What, in your opinion, makes a good leader?

Listening, gentle authority and empathy.

2. What do you find most challeng-ing and on the opposite end, most rewarding about working for SANParks?

The fact that I’m leading such a legacy organisation with so much history. National parks mean different things to different people. The management of parks is my passion.

3. What do you consider to be your single greatest achievement in life so far?

Managing to drive policies to shape the biodiversity conservation agenda of South Africa.

4. If you could give your 20-year-old self any advice, what would it be?

Concentrate and devote your time to the job at hand.

5. Do you reduce, reuse and recycle your waste before disposing it off? What are some of the items you reuse?

I normally reuse the debris from my garden.

6. What are the three core tenets of your management or leadership philosophy that you would never compromise?

Never say yes to wrong things in the workplace. Secondly, tell no lies and lastly, be yourself.

7. What made you pursue this field?

The love for nature, rural livelihoods and the future. I am a rural boy and I like it that way.

8. What has sustained you in your line of work?

I always look forward to the next day. I like to see change in people’s lives and benefiting from the environment. I believe the eco-tourism and wildlife economy is another game changer for rural economy in South Africa. I think national parks can improve the lives of the rural poor.

Mr Fundisile Mketeni is a force to be reckoned with. The well-spoken man from the Eastern Cape was appointed South African National Parks (SANParks) Chief Executive Officer a few months ago, leaving big shoes to fill at the Department of Environmental Affairs where he worked as the Deputy Director-General of Biodiversity and Conservation. Describing himself as a rural boy at heart, Mr Mketeni has devoted his life to the biodiversity conservation of South Africa. He tells EQ about his role as a leader at SANParks.

SANPARKS CEO Mr Fundisile Mketeni

Home town: King William’s Town

Role model: Mavuso Msimang

Favourite quote or motto: “Good

leaders build the strength of those

they lead.”

Interests: Soccer

I am currently reading: I follow news

& developments nationally, regionally

and globally.

I am currently listening to: Don

Williams

Are you on Facebook or Twitter? No

By Veronica Mahlaba

Quick Facts


This year, the United Nations declared the theme for World Environment Day to be Seven billion dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care. This

year’s celebration of World Environment Day therefore places emphasis on the well-being of humanity, the environment, and the functioning of the economy, which depend on the responsible man-agement of the planet’s natural resourc-es to sustain a global population of seven billion. Four out of nine planetary bound-aries that underpin our life on Earth by making the planet a safe, stable and re-silient place to live, have been crossed as a result of human activity. These findings have recently been published in the jour-

nal; Science by an international team of 18 researchers, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)’s Dr Belinda Reyers, a biodiversity scientist.

Many of the Earth’s ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and economic development. By 2050, if current consumption and production patterns remain the same and with a rising population expected to reach 9.6 billion, we will need three planets to sustain our ways of living and consumption.

Planetary boundaries are based on global processes that relate to human-induced changes to the environment.

The planetary boundaries concept, first introduced in 2009, proposes that nine systems and processes regulate the stability of the Earth’s system.

The nine systems and processes regulating the Earth’s system are:1. Climate change;2. loss of biosphere integrity (through

species extinction, and the loss of genetic and functional diversity);

3. land-system change (for example deforestation);

4. biochemical flows (for example phosphorus and nitrogen from fertilisers);

5. ozone depletion in the stratosphere;

Has the Earth’s system become unstable? By Reyhana Mahomed

Research

About the contributor: Reyhana Mahomed Reyhana Mahomed is a Communications Manager at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): Natural Resources and the Environment. Before joining the CSIR, Ms Mahomed was a Deputy Director in the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Chief Directorate: Communications.


6. ocean acidification;7. freshwater use;8. atmospheric aerosol loading

(microscopic particles in the atmosphere that affect climate and living organisms); and,

9. the introduction of novel entities (such as radioactive or nanoparticles) into the atmosphere.

In this update on the boundaries, the authors found that the first four have passed beyond safe levels. If pushed beyond safe limits, the Earth may become less hospitable for humankind to prosper.

When researchers set the planetary boundaries, they looked at key biophysical processes or variables such as levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen, numbers of species, and area of forest or pH levels of the ocean that regulate the stability of the Earth system. “For each process we have used scientific knowledge and global data to set thresholds for each of these processes and variables beyond which we risk destabilising the Earth system,” Dr Reyers explains. “Examples include 350ppm CO2 (climate change), 10 species extinctions per million species per year (change in biosphere integrity); 50% forest cover (land system change). Each boundary is then set upstream of this threshold as an early warning sign giving us time to react before we hit the threshold.”

According to Dr Reyers, these nine Earth system processes have been relatively

unchanged over the last 10 000 years, allowing our modern societies to develop and thrive. “But now there is evidence that we have pushed some of these processes close to the potential thresholds of concern by changing the climate, reducing species numbers, through deforestation and by other activities like adding pollutants to our water and air. This has the potential to change the way the earth works, potentially making it a less hospitable place to live in. Importantly, the article makes the point that we are no longer making these changes at local or regional scales, but at global scales,” she says.

Climate change and biosphere integrity: core to poverty reduction and human well-being. The article suggests that two of these boundaries; climate change and biosphere integrity, are “core boundaries, which, if significantly altered, could drive the Earth system into a new state”.According to lead author, Professor Will Steffen from the Stockholm Resilience

Centre at Sweden’s Stockholm University and the Australian National University in Canberra, such changes may damage efforts to reduce poverty and lead to a deterioration of human wellbeing in many parts of the world.

“Past a certain threshold, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, or land-use change, for example, may not reverse or even slow the trends of the Earth system’s degradation, with potentially catastrophic consequences,” he says.

Dr Reyers adds: “From a South African or developing country perspective, the important message about the planetary boundaries is not that we must stop developing our economies and societies, but rather that we need to carefully choose possible pathways that can deliver inclusive and sustainable development within these boundaries. The current pathways of global development risk transgressing these boundaries, which will reduce the options for fair and just pathways in future - especially in regions most in need of development.”

Her contribution to this publication was to share the advances being made in biodiversity science, in South Africa and elsewhere, to explore how the species and ecosystems, which make up our biosphere, contribute to keeping the Earth system in a safe operating space for humankind.

“Our work demonstrated the importance, not just of species numbers, which is what most people focus on, but also the functions of these species, their biomass, distribution, as well as their genetic code. All of these contribute to keeping the Earth system working, for example by cycling nutrients, water and other materials and regulating climate, while also keeping the Earth system resilient to future change.”

Living within planetary boundaries is the most promising strategy for ensuring a healthy future. Human prosperity need not cost the earth. Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less. It is about knowing that rising rates of natural resource use and the environmental impacts that occur are not a necessary by-product of economic growth.


The South African government has asked the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to assist with the first phase of its accelerated

development project, called Operation Phakisa, which will include the utilisation of earth observation technology to help unlock the economic potential of South Africa’s oceans.

According to its official website (operationphakisa.gov.za) the idea for Operation Phakisa was born when President Jacob Zuma undertook a state visit to Malaysia in 2013. He was introduced to the Big Fast Results methodology, through which the Malaysian government achieved significant government and economic transformation within a very short time - addressing national key priority areas such as poverty, crime and unemployment. With the support of the Malaysian government, the Big Fast Results approach was adapted to the South African context. To highlight the urgency of delivery the approach was renamed to Operation Phakisa (“phakisa” meaning “hurry up” in Sesotho).

Operation Phakisa is a results-driven approach to development involving setting clear plans and targets, on-going monitoring of progress and making these results public. In July last year the President announced that the first implementation of Operation Phakisa will be led by the Department of Environmental Affairs and will focus on unlocking the economic potential of South Africa’s oceans, which are estimated to have the potential to contribute up to R177 billion to the GDP by 2033 compared to R54 billion in 2010.According to Dr Stewart Bernard, CSIR

principal scientist, the first step of the implementation of Operation Phakisa’s so-called Ocean Economy Lab will involve the creation of an Ocean and Coasts Information Management System, funded by the DEA and led by the Meraka Institute. The system will include various decision support tools such as maritime domain awareness, fisheries and aquaculture support and coastal vulnerability assessment.

The CSIR will be using its extensive skills base in developing geospatial IT systems, data from a wide range of satellite sensors, automated satellite processing, and application specific satellite based products to develop capabilities contributing to the system.

“The aim of Operation Phakisa is accelerated economic development, job creation and making more efficient use of natural resources,” says Dr Melanie Luck-Vogel, a CSIR senior researcher specialising in coastal remote sensing. “Because this will involve increased fishing, aquaculture, ocean traffic and offshore oil and gas projects, there will potentially be a big environmental impact on coastal regions. A big part of our job, in collaboration with the DEA and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will therefore be to ensure that the proposed plans for Operation Phakisa will be environmentally sound and that the Ocean Economy Lab projects will be sustainable.”

Luck-Vogel will make a valuable contribution to these efforts by aiding in detailed coastal vulnerability assessments. Her work focuses on using

satellite imagery and advanced remote sensing technology (using Very High Resolution multispectral sensors and aeroplane-mounted LiDAR) to accurately map coastal and estuarine habitats and vegetation for long-term coastal management purposes.

“By using LiDAR we can create detailed, very accurate surface models of coastal areas with which we can monitor vegetation degradation, map and help to prevent dune erosion, map biomass spread for more accurate carbon cycle models and better plan for storm surges, potential oil spills and expected sea-level rise due to climate change,” says Luck-Vogel.

She cites the annual flooding of Beach road in Strand during spring tide, as an example of a potential danger zone in terms of expected sea-level rise that requires detailed earth observation mapping to properly plan for.

“Because it is so close to the beach, and because it has little to no protection by dunes, Beach road gets flooded every year during spring tide already, regardless of climate change,” says Luck-Vogel.

“The problem is that during spring tide or strong storm surges the rock reefs that normally protect the coastline get submerged – cancelling out their protective effect. In such cases, even marginal sea-level rise will mean that flooding could be significantly worse even without spring tide and we need to know exactly how this will happen in order to best plan for it.”

High-end technology to unlock SA’s economic potential

By Fanie van Rooyen

About the contributor: Fanie van RooyenFanie served as senior science and technology journalist for Beeld newspaper for several years before going freelance. He has written extensively about all manner of science projects in South Africa for various publications and is currently contracted as a science writer at the CSIR. He is also busy completing his master’s degree in Science Journalism through the University of Stellenbosch.


The impact of food waste is not just financial. Environmentally, food waste leads to wasteful use of chemicals such as fertilizers and

pesticides; more fuel used for transpor-tation; and more rotting food, creating more methane – one of the most harmful greenhouse gases that contributes to cli-mate change. Methane is 23 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. The vast amount of food going to landfills makes a significant contribution to global warming.

Roughly one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year — approximately 1.3 billion tonnes — gets lost or wasted.

Every year, consumers in rich countries waste almost as much food (222 million tonnes) as the entire net food production of sub- Saharan Africa (230 million tonnes).

The amount of food lost or wasted every year is equivalent to more than half of the world’s annual cereals crop (2.3 billion tonnes in 2009/2010).

Food loss and waste also amount to a major squandering of resources, including water, land, energy, labour and capital and needlessly produce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change.

In developing countries food waste and losses occur mainly at early stages of the food value chain and can be traced back to financial, managerial and technical constraints in harvesting techniques as well as storage –and cooling facilities. Thus, a strengthening of the supply chain through the support farmers and investments in infrastructure, transportation, as well as in an expansion of the food and packaging industry could help to reduce the amount of food loss and waste.

• In medium- and high-income countries food is wasted and lost mainly at later stages in the supply chain. Differing from the situation in developing countries, the behaviour of consumers plays a huge part in

industrialized countries. Moreover, the study identified a lacking coordination between actors in the supply chain as a contributing factor. Farmer-buyer agreements can be helpful to increase the lev¬el of coordination. Additionally, raising awareness among industries, retailers and consumers as well as finding beneficial use for save food that is presently thrown away are useful measures to decrease the amount of losses and waste.

• In the United States 30% of all food, worth US$48.3 billion (€32.5 billion), is thrown away each year. It is estimated that about half of the water used to produce this food also goes to waste, since agriculture is the largest human use of water. (Jones, 2004 cited in Lundqvist et al., 2008)

• United Kingdom households waste an estimated 6.7 million tonnes of food every year, around one third of the 21.7 million tonnes pur¬chased. This means that approximately 32% of all food purchased per year is not eaten. Most of this (5.9 million tonnes or 88%) is currently collected by local authorities. Most of the food waste (4.1 million tonnes or 61%) is avoidable and could have been eaten had it been better managed (WRAP, 2008; Knight and Davis, 2007).

Our planet’s regenerative capacity is being greatly exceeded as the world’s population is now producing and consuming more resources than ever. In fact, in developed and developing countries, people are acquiring much more than what they actually need and therefore producing an enormous amount of waste.

Our growing population puts so much pressure on the environment that nowadays the natural resources are no longer as abundant as they used to be. How we use and dispose of non-renewable resources is radically altering our ecosystems and even the

planet’s renewable resources (such as water, timber or fish) are rapidly being exhausted. We have now reached a tipping point where the quality of air and water needs to be improved, the level of production needs to be balanced and the amount of waste generated needs to be reduced.

Sustainable consumption is all about ‘doing more and better with less,’ through reducing resource use, degradation and pollution while increasing the quality of life for all. The massive consumption of both renewable and non-renewable resources contributes to a massive loss of biodiversity – with current extinction rates of birds, mammals and amphibians estimated to be at least 100 times, but possibly over 1,000 times, higher than pre-industrial rates. The poorest population is most affected by such changes giving that they rely directly on natural resources — such as fishing, small-scale agriculture or forestry — for their livelihoods.

Pollution and over-exploitation of the world’s resources are increasingly compromising our own wellbeing and quality of life. The planet cannot afford to continue taking this path.

A transition towards a more sustainable lifestyle is crucial to enable future generations to have access to their fair share of resources. There are many possibilities as for how we can change our unsustainable consumption habits while also improving our quality of life. To do more with less is essential for us to live within the resources the planet has to offer.

Changing our current living standards requires us to adopt innovative and creative solutions on the way we use and dispose the products and services we own and consume. This could enable a transition to more sustain-able activities and lifestyles while also protecting the world’s natural resources.




Call Centre: (086) 111 2468Website: www.environment.gov.za


Call Centre: (086) 111 2468Website: www.environment.gov.za


The model showing this year’s theme was unveiled recently at Kirsten-bosch and features a retrospective tableaux of memorable exhibits, as

well as a display of ‘Plants South Africa Gave the World’ and a named flower specimen display. A special tribute to the work of British floral designer Pam Sim-cock, who was responsible for the design and creation of the Kirstenbosch-South Africa exhibits staged at Chelsea on be-half of the South African government for the first 18 years of our participation at the show is also included.

Did you know that Pelargoniums (incorrectly called geraniums) originated from South Africa? And that Guernsey Lilies did not originate in the Channel Islands but were originally found growing on Table Mountain and a twist of fate brought them to the Islands? Of course

the Protea is the most recognisable plant from South Africa and these and many other species have contributed to the enormous horticultural industries across the world. The 40th CFS display will unlock many of these mysteries and offer a treasure trove of information and colour.

SANBI CEO Tanya Abrahamse says; “This year we once more showcase different aspects of our rich and unique biodiversity – which forms the basis of life-giving resources and underlines the conservation that is vital for the continuation of the human race. We see this exhibit as one of the platforms to promote South Africa’s botanical heritage. The 2015 Chelsea Flower Chelsea is our 40th exhibit and we are definitely hoping for a 34th gold medal – a success that would not only be

for Kirstenbosch and SANBI but for the country as a whole”

So far 2015 has certainly been an awards year for Kirstenbosch, which has underlined the important role that botanical gardens play in contributing to the country’s tourism statistics. On March 1, 2015, the Kirstenbosch Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway was declared the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa (MBOISA) at Design Indaba Expo 2015 for its “functionally practical design meeting nature to enhance human experience.” The walkway was a main feature of the SANBI exhibit at the 2014 Chelsea Flower Show.

Hot on the heels of the MBOISA award, Kirstenbosch also scooped the coveted Garden of the Year Award at the 2015 International Garden Tourism Awards

In a year that has seen Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden win several major awards, it is fitting that the theme for the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Kirstenbosch’s 40th entry to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show (CFS) should celebrate the past four decades of exhibiting at this major event and the awards garnered.

SANBI celebrates 40 years at the Chelsea Flower Show

Above: The Kirstenbosch exhibit for this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.


presented by the International Garden Tourism Network in Toronto, Canada in March this year.

“This year’s exhibit will show themes and iconic elements from seven earlier gold award exhibits, which have been recreated in a composite pageant to commemorate this special anniversary, highlighting both the botanical and cultural diversity of a range of geographic locations, botanical gardens and biomes of South Africa,” says designer David Davidson.”

He goes on to explain that Plants South Africa Gave the World, a fundamental theme underlying many of the Kirstenbosch exhibits shown to the Royal Horticultural Society, is this year given prominence in a special section of the display that features ornamental plants well-known to gardeners around the world, all of which have been developed from South Africa’s indigenous flora. Another highlight is a special tribute to the work of British floral designer Pam Simcock.

Many of these spectacular plants, grown to perfection in various parts of the world, have been generously donated by Kientzler Horticulture in Germany or sourced from specialist growers in England and Holland.

The Kirstenbosch stand is always a popular destination and contributes to the many tourists who visit South Africa as a result of seeing our display at Chelsea. The Minister of Tourism recently

acknowledged Kirstenbosch as one of the most important tourist attractions in South Africa, saying the tourism footprint in conservation areas and botanical gardens is what generates the income to support the sustainability of these assets. Designers David Davidson and Raymond Hudson are hoping to achieve a 34th gold medal in their 22nd year of designing the award-winning exhibits. The exhibit has won 33 Gold Medals in total as well as numerous other special awards for outstanding contributions. The 2006 exhibit was awarded the Lawrence Medal for the ‘Best Exhibit shown to the Society’ and was the first recipient of the ‘President’s Most Creative Award’ in 2008.

With more than 150 000 people visiting the CFS the ultimate goal of achieving a gold award depends on the enthusiastic team of volunteers who join the designers and SANBI representatives in ensuring that our display is perfect in every way. This year team co-ordinator, Ada van Reenen, Kirstenbosch horticulturist Nomama May, Curator, KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden Gcina Allen Nene and SANBI Communications Director, Lihle Dlamini will be working hard at the show.

Initially an image-building initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the immeasurable value of this event as a magnet for tourism has increased dramatically since the dawn of the New South Africa, in spite of the termination of government funding in 1995 in favour of other diplomatic expansion programmes. South Africa’s participation has been sponsored by various corporate entities since then to promote the country as a prime ecotourism destination and showcase one of the world’s richest

A concerted effort is made each year at the Chelsea Flower Show to showcase the broad botanical and cultural diversity of South Africa, as well as the geographic range of the National Botanical Gardens.

However, it is important to recognise that the event is a celebration of Spring, whereas for us in the southern hemisphere, the season is late Autumn.

The prominence seemingly given to Kirstenbosch by virtue of the predominance of flowers from the Cape Floral Kingdom shown at Chelsea is for the simple reason that the fynbos serendipitously flowers mainly during Winter, which is what makes our participation at the Chelsea Flower Show possible.


and most diverse floral kingdoms. (A list of exhibits and awards appear on the inside covers of this brochure).

The South African Department of Foreign Affairs (Cultural Affairs, Bureau of Information) appointed a British floral designer, Pam Simcock, in 1976, to create the ‘South Africa’ exhibit on behalf of Kirstenbosch. By 1993 the exhibit had been awarded 17 Gold Medals and also won the Wilkinson Sword trophy for the ‘Best Overseas Exhibit’ for the four consecutive years that the award was made (1981 – 1984). The flowers, some of which were donated by various growers, were sourced and dispatched from Kirstenbosch to the South African Embassy in London each year. The National Botanical Gardens of South Africa (later the National Botanical Institute, and presently the South African National Biodiversity Institute [SANBI]) also sent a team of staff members to Chelsea every year to man the exhibit during the show week.

Since 1994 the exhibit has been sponsored by various South African businesses and banks, and more recently Kirstenbosch has raised funds by staging special Chelsea benefit concerts at the Garden. The design and

construction has been undertaken by a core team from South Africa comprising David Davidson and Raymond Hudson as designers and a rotational group of SANBI staff members, assisted by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, from South Africa and abroad.

The design concept for the exhibit also changed at this juncture. It was decided to create landscaped exhibits that attempted to create a ‘sense of place’ and convey some idea of the actual geographical context reproduced in the displays, as well as endeavouring to answer some of the frequently asked questions about the plants, their growth forms, natural habitat and locality.

David Davidson and Raymond Hudson have been responsible for designing and creating the Kirstenbosch-South Africa exhibit for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for 22 consecutive years, together with a small core team and an enthusiastic crew of volunteers. During this time the exhibit has garnered 16 RHS Gold Medals (bringing the total since 1976 to 33), as well as the Anthony Huxley Trophy (1995) and the Lawrence Medal for the best floral exhibit shown to the RHS in 2006. The exhibit was also the first recipient of the RHS President’s Most Creative Award, introduced at Chelsea in 2008.

Plants and art have always been David’s greatest passion, although he began his professional career in psychology and clinical social work. He later headed the Graphic Services Unit at the National Biodiversity Institute (Kirstenbosch) for 17 years – a role that included show design.His current full-time occupation is as a graphic designer and scenic artist. He has also created floral exhibits in other parts of the world including Palmengarten, Germany; the Royal Flora Expo in Thailand; the Singapore Garden Festival and the Gardening World Cup in Nagasaki, Japan.

Raymond obtained a Diploma in Horticulture and gained his comprehensive practical training and work experience with the Durban Botanic Garden. He subsequently obtained a Diploma in Parks Administration at the John Brooks School of Landscape Design (1984).

Ray’s career in landscaping includes the design and management of numerous large estates and landscaping projects for Keith Kirsten Horticulture International such as the spectacular Cape wine estates of Delaire and Cavalli, whilst his speciality is domestic and small garden design.


Green Scorpions : Protecting the environment

The landscape of environmental compliance and enforcement in South Africa changed when an amendment to the National

Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 (NEMA) came into effect on 1 May 2005 and provided for the designation of Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI – the Green Scorpions). Prior to this legislative development, compliance and enforcement was taking place in the green (biodiversity, protected areas), brown (environmental impact assessment, pollution and waste) and blue (marine and coastal) subsectors; however, this occurred in a fragmented and uncoordinated manner, in terms of outdated national environmental legislation.

Over time, the EMI has become known as the Green Scorpions, primarily through use of the term in the media. This national EMI network seeks to breakthrough the traditional separation between the protection of different aspects of the environment and will include park rangers and conservation officers, air quality officers, marine and coastal enforcement officers, pollution and waste enforcement officials and officials monitoring urban developments.

The legal mandate of the Green Scorpions is to undertake compliance and enforcement in terms of the full

ambit of national sectoral environmental Acts as follows:

This includes any subordinate legislation (regulations, norms and standards) as well as any permits or other authorisations issued in terms of these Acts.

In order to undertake their duties effectively, EMIs are accorded a wide

range of powers by Chapter 7 of NEMA, including:

In addition to responding to complaints of non-compliance - for example, those that come through the National Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline - the Green Scorpions also take a proactive approach to compliance

• National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) (NEMA).

• National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10 of 2004).

• National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (57 of 2004).

• National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (39 of 2004).

• National Environmental Management: Waste Act (59 of 2008).

• National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (24 of 2008).

• Environment Conservation Act (73 of 1989).

• Routine inspection (entering premises to ascertain compliance).

• Investigation (questioning witnesses; copying documents; inspecting and removing articles or substances; taking photographs and audio-visual recordings; taking samples and removing waste).

• Enforcement (search and seizure of premises, containers, vessels, vehicles, aircraft and search of pack animals; establishing roadblocks and arrest).

• Administrative powers (issuing compliance notices).

Above: Environmental Management Inspectors or the Green Scorpions inspect a landfill site.


and enforcement by focussing their attentions on strategic industry sectors.

These include the ferroalloy, steel and iron industry; refineries; cement; paper and pulp; health care risk waste; hazardous waste and power generation sectors. In addition, certain “blitzes” are also planned and executed in sectors in which non-compliances are rife, for example, health-care risk waste and sand-mining. This type of approach, the Green Scorpions are able to maximise their impact with their limited human and financial resources, by targeting the key risks to the environment.

These sectors were chosen as a result of their potential to exceed the allowable concentrations of a number of priority emissions including CO2, particulate matter and SO2; the pollution associated with the generation of slag and other waste; high levels of water consumption, water pollution and wastage as well as energy consumption. The Inspectorate utilises practical experience in implementing the provisions of the law falling within its mandate to highlight potential gaps or weaknesses in the legislative framework. By way of example, the Green Scorpions have provided feedback to the law or policy-makers to enable the countries participation in an international comparison of penalties for environmental offences conducted through the INTERPOL Pollution and Waste Working Group. The findings of this study revealed that, although South Africa’s terms of imprisonment compared favourably with other countries, our monetary penalties were completely out of kilter with international trends. As a result, the maximum monetary penalties were increased substantially to deter would-be criminals.

EMIs training produces results

The nature of modern environmental crime is constantly evolving, with criminals becoming more organised and complex (as is the case with the current rhino poaching scourge). To enable the Green Scorpions to keep up, all the government officials who wish to become eligible for designation are required to attend a rigorous and intense three-week basic training programme (offered by the National Department) that provides the core foundational skills for them to be able to execute their duties effectively.

In addition to the basic training, there is an additional layer of advanced or specialised training that focuses on specific pieces of sectoral legislation – such as the Waste Act and EIA Regulations or specific areas of compliance and enforcement (for example, crime scene management, operational conflict management, docket management).

The capacity-building programme was bolstered by the involvement of international environmental agencies,

such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Environment Agency of England and Wales (UKEA).

The Green Scorpions training programme has been well established in national and provincial spheres of government since 2006. More recently however, local authority officials have been included in these training courses, primarily to provide much needed capacity for the compliance and enforcement with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (39 of 2004).

After successful completion of an approved basic training programme, officials may be designated as Environmental Management Inspectors. There are five grades of EMIS - grade 5 (Field Rangers), grade 4 (Inspectors), grade 3 (Investigators), grade 2 (Enforcers) and Grade 1 (Administrators). Each grade has its own set of unique powers according to the specific functions that they are responsible for. Some Grades of EMIs are accorded the same legislative powers as peace officers and non-commissioned police officials in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 in respect of search, seizure, arrest and the issuing of admission of guilt fines.

The establishment of trained EMIs has already resulted in improved efficiency and effectiveness in compliance monitoring and the enforcement of environmental legislation, as well as increased environmental awareness among stakeholders.

• There has been a 12.26% increase in the total number of EMIs on the national register from 1705 in 2012/13 to 1915 in 2013/14.

• Of the total 1915 EMIs on the national register, 1252 (65%) are Grade 5 EMIs (field rangers employed at national and provincial parks authorities).

• There has been an 18.7% (197) increase in the number of Grade 5 EMI field rangers from 1055 in 2012/13 to 1252 in 2013/14.

• SANParks (686), Ezemvelo (474), Limpopo DEDET (226) Eastern Cape Parks (107) have the most EMIs (majority are Grade 5 field rangers) followed by DEA (65) and Western Cape DEADP (52), while Mpumalanga DEDET (13), Mpumalanga Parks (10), and Isimangaliso (5) have the least.

Limpopo DEDET showed an annual increase of 128% from 104 EMIs in 2012/13 to 226 in 2013/14, followed by Eastern Cape DEDET and North West DEDECT, which each reported an

increase of 23%. Cape Nature recorded a 175% increase from 8 to 22 EMIs and Ezemvelo showed a 36% annual increase of EMIs. Outside of SANParks, Gauteng has the highest number of EMIs in the country.

Green Scorpions strike back

Since the creation of the EMI, increased compliance monitoring and enforcement work has been undertaken and some important successes have been recorded in terms of strategic prosecutions and administrative enforcement action.

• There has been a 34.52% increase in the number of reported environmental incidents, from 4479 in 2012/13 to 6025 in 2013/14

• There was a general increase in the number of criminal dockets registered in the previous three financial year cycles, from 1080 (50.42% increase) in 2011/12, 1488 (37.7% increase) in 2012/13 and 1862 (25% increase) in 2013/14

• The total number of admission of guilt fines (J534s) issued have decreased by 71.04% from 5825 in 2012/13 to 1687 in 2013/14

• The total value of admission of guilt fines paid in 2013/14 was R 498 230, which has decreased by 23.85% from R 654 250 in 2012/13

• The number of criminal dockets handed over to the NPA increased by 41.42% from 268 in 2012/13 to 379 in 2013/14

• The number of arrests by EMIs has decreased by 35.77% from 1818 in 2012/13 to 1371 in 2013/14

• The total number of acquittals has remained the same at 8 in 2012/13 and 2013/14

• Convictions reported have slightly increased by 11.43% from 70 reported in 2012/13 to 78 in 2013/14

• There has been a decrease in the number of plea and sentence agreements reached from 14 in 2012/13 to 11 reported in 2013/14

• The number of warning letters issued have increased from 187 in 2012/13 to 228 in 2013/14 that equates to an increase of 21.93%

• The number of administrative notices issued increased by 22.88% from 577 in 2012/13 to 709 in 2013/14

• The number of civil court applications launched decreased by 50% from 4 in 2012/13 to 2 in 2013/14

• There was a dramatic increase by 199.48% in the total value of section 24G administrative fines paid from R 5,385,215 in 2012/2013 to R 16,127,751 in 2013/14.


Rare species The traits and patterns of two of the most iconic snakes at Isimangaliso Wetland Park

Of the 36 recorded snake species known to live in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the beautiful Gaboon adder (Bitis gabonica) also referred to as a Gaboon viper is surely the most iconic one associated with

the world heritage site that is the largest protected refuge for Gaboon adders in southern Africa.

A recognisable snakeThe Gaboon adder is one of Africa’s most recognisable snakes. It’s a sedentary species renowned for its striking geometric patterning and is the world’s heaviest Adder, nonetheless notoriously cryptic in its natural environment. Stocky and often obese in appearance, the species can attain lengths up to 2 metres, although in iSimangaliso individuals rarely exceed 1.3 metres. The disproportionately large head resembles a dead leaf, complete with a dark dorsal stripe that mimics a midvein. Among the snakes, Gaboon adders have the longest fangs (max. 40 mm) and highest venom yields. Bites from Gaboon adders are medical emergencies, but the species is of docile disposition and the majority of bites occur from handling of captive individuals by snake enthusiasts. Envenomation incurs mostly cytotoxic (cell-killing) symptoms, although toxic effects to humans are not well known, and only one human death is described in the literature.

Puff adderAnother of South Africa’s well-known venomous snakes, the Puff adder, is in comparison to the Gaboon adder. This extremely rare inhabitant recently had its numbers boosted by 26 follow-ing the release of neonates at three locations on the Eastern Shores of iSimangaliso. Born in captivity at the iSimangaliso St Lucia Crocodile and Education Centre, their release into the wild was in line with the release protocol suggested from a three year study (2005-2007) by registered researcher Jon War-ner who recently completed his Master of Science thesis on the conservation biology of the species in South Africa.

Although primarily a tropical species extending into equatorial Africa, their distribution is very restricted in South Africa and it is mainly confined to iSimangaliso, highlighting the importance of the Park for the future conservation of the South African popula-tion.

Tracking devicesFollowing the insertion of tracking devices in the belly of se-lected Gaboon adders, Jon was able to track and monitor their movements as part of his research.

The core area of activity averaged 6.7 hectares, with the mean male core activity centre almost five times greater than that of females. Snakes tracked (using VHF telemetry) were highly sedentary, especially during winter when individuals remained at single localities for extended periods (max. 87 days). Activity peaked for both sexes at the onset of the breeding season dur-ing March, with individuals averaging a movement distance of 598 metres.

Preferred habitatThe Gaboon adder is a terrestrial forest Adderid and its habitat preferences in iSimangaliso are strongly influenced by season, with individuals selecting open-canopied areas during cooler months. This behaviour is presumably because the forested habitat individuals utilise the rest of the year is not adequate for the species’ thermoregulatory requirements during winter. Females used slightly less shrubby microhabitats than males and “thicket” microhabitat is important for the protection, ther-moregulation and food acquisition requirements of Gaboon adders in iSimangaliso.

Eating patternsFeeding activity of Gaboon adders varied between seasons, with individuals spending long periods of time at single localities in an ambush position, especially during summer. Snakes ex-hibited strong ambush site fidelity, often remaining immobile for weeks at a time. Sites where ambush behaviour was observed were frequently in close proximity (less than 1 metre) to game trails created by antelope and Gaboon adders may feed on prey as large as Red duiker (Cephalophus natalensis). Ecologi-cal research from Jon’s study, coupled with new molecular data that shows South African and central African Gaboon adders are genetically similar, suggesting the South African Gaboon adder population’s conservation status is better than what was previously assumed.


The young Gaboon adders were collected at the iSimangal-iso St Lucia Crocodile and Education Centre, seen above in a container, before being released gently into thickly forested habitat on the Eastern Shores.

Researcher Jon Warner recording habitat variables and marking the exact location of the snake. The Gaboon adder, previously captured and fitted with radio-tracking device, is in the white circle.

Eye-popping discoverySt Lucia residents Charne von Plaster & Leon Steyn were cycling through the Igwalagwala Trail recently when they spotted this well-fed Gaboon lying in their pathway. Visitors walking the self-guided trails in the Igwalagwala Trail and St Lucia Nature Park areas of iSimangaliso should keep a careful eye open for these snakes as they are fond of lying in a sunny patch of path or amongst fallen leaves. Several visitors have reported spot-ting Gaboons, wisely choosing to leave a wide berth between themselves and the snoozing snake. A sighting should be con-sidered a rare and special privilege, and just another example of the miracles awaiting discovery in iSimangaliso.

For more information on the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, follow their pages on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube, or visit www.isimangaliso.com. Media enquiries should be directed to Media Officer Siyabonga Mhlongo at [email protected] or on 084 382 0884


Stakeholders present their stance on rhino trade

Stakeholders from various organisa-tions representing communities from across the country gathered at Birchwood Conference Hotel in

Boksburg from 25 to 27 March 2015 to present their stance on issues surrounding rhino trade. The information collected will be used by the Rhino Committee of In-quiry to draw up a report that the Minister will present at the next CITES meeting.

A total of 54 individuals gave their position on whether they are pro or anti rhino trade.

The Committee of Inquiry is tasked with, among other things, investigating the feasibility of South Africa to trade or ban rhino trade at the 17th Conference of Parties (CoP17) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2016.

The Department of Environmental Affairs was authorised by Cabinet in July 2013 to explore the feasibility of South Africa to table a proposal for the legalisation of commercial international trade in rhino horn at the Conference.

The panel of experts was established to assist the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) appointed by Cabinet to deliberate on the matters relating to the trade.

In the three days of engagement with stakeholders, three prominent stances on rhino trade arose, namely:

• Pro-trade;

• anti-trade, and,

• community involvement (no matter which position is taken on trade).

Rhino farmer, Mr John Hume, shared statistics on why the ban on rhino trade should be lifted, “I have developed a financial model showing the costs of keeping 100 breeding rhino cows. This model is based on the actual costs of looking after my 1,113 rhino. The model proves conclusively that without legalisation, it is not possible to continue breeding operations such as mine without huge injections of capital from elsewhere,” he said.

Mr Reuben Els who is a farmer at Thabo Tholo Game Reserve also echoed Mr Hume’s sentiments saying, “Legalising horn trade forms part of a holistic solution: demand in horn reduction; stable and constant horn supply; better law enforcement globally; eradication of corruption and buying in from communities and alleviating rural poverty.”

Resource Africa Project Manager, Mr Nqobizitha Ndlovu presented on how communities around the areas where the rhino will be bred can reap the benefits. “Communities can play a significant role in rhino protection but are currently excluded by current policy and practice. Extending it to rural communities adjacent

the protected areas has the advantage of putting the brakes on illegal hunting and simultaneously creating permanent jobs and income”.

Ms Margie Kolver who is the Chairperson of One more Generation South Africa, a group of children from across the world who are campaigning to get states to allow one more generation to see rhino, presented her anti-trade position. “Legalising rhino horn trade will make a mockery of the huge resources that have been ploughed into education and awareness programmes around the world.

“As worldwide populations continue to grow and financial prosperity within the regions driving the current demand, it is becoming increasingly evident that there just aren’t enough rhinos on the planet to quench the current appetite.”

South Africa has not taken a position on the issue, and will not do so until the Committee has completed its work and presented its findings. Any proposal will be based on sound research, taking into account the terms of the London declaration.

If you wish to read more on the presentations from stakeholders, follow the link to the department’s website below: https://www.environment.gov.za/event/deptactivity/committeeofinquiry_rhinopoaching_workshop

Above: The Chairperson of the Rhino Committee of Inquiry Ms Nana Magomola addressing presenters at the stakeholder public hearing held in Boksburg in Ekhurhuleni.

About the contributor: Gaopalelwe MoroaneGaopalelwe is a Senior Communication Officer under the sub-directorate, publication in the department of Environmental Affairs. Prior to working as intern in Environmental Department’s media liaison team; she worked for short periods with the Pretoria News, Grahamstown’s local paper, Grocott’s Mail as well as writing reviews for the National Arts Festival publication, Cue Newspaper.

By Gaopalelwe Moroane


All rise in Court

The North Gauteng High Court has confirmed a decision of the Louis Trichardt Magistrates’ Court to deny bail to five persons accused of illegal

hunting. The High Court heard the appeal on 10 February 2015.

The appellants face eight counts of contravention of the Limpopo Environmental Management Act, 2003 in relation to illegal hunting of protected wild animals, as well as other related charges.

The Magistrates’ Court, when formulating its decision to deny bail to the five accused, formed the opinion that the accused were flight risks due to the easy illegal passage across the border (some of them also have relatives in bordering countries). During the appeal, the court deemed it appropriate to accept that the accused were not flight risks as they had all (save for the first appellant) handed in their passports. It is also interesting to note that it was common cause that the offences fell within the ambit of schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act. This being so, the onus rested upon the appellants to show

why the interests of justice favoured their release on bail. In coming to its decision, the court noted that certain evidence of the state was uncontested.

This included the fact that:

• The second appellant and his friend went to the first appellant’s home to fetch money being their share of the proceeds of the sale of the two rhino horn (some R400 000);

• a hunting rifle was found hidden in the roof of the garage of the first appellant’s home;

• it could not merely be a coincidence that appellant 4 told appellant 2 that the rhino was shot by his father (appellant 3); and

• the chronology of events lead to an inescapable adverse inference against the third and fourth appellant.

In the light of the above, the Court found

that there was sufficient admissible evidence, albeit of a circumstantial and/or hearsay nature, to point toward the state’s case, on the face of it, being strong against the first four appellants. However, in respect of appellant 5, the court formed the opinion that the state’s case was weak.

The only evidence against the fifth appellant was that he apparently did not want to get too close to the scene of a crime after having transported the other appellants. Accordingly, the decision of the Magistrates’ Court to deny bail to appellants 1 to 4 was upheld. They remain in custody awaiting trial.

The fifth appellant’s appeal was successful. He was granted bail in the sum of R20, 000. [To put the bail amount into perspective, accused 1 earns R2200 per month, is the sole breadwinner responsible for his wife and children and owns furniture to the value of some R10 000.] We will keep you updated on this matter when it goes on trial.

North Gauteng High Court denies bail to appellants accused of illegal hunting

About the contributor: Nicole LimberisNicole Limberis is the Environmental Control Officer (grade B), EMI Legal Support within the Directorate: Capacity Development and Support in the Chief Directorate: Enforcement. Nicole practiced as an attorney until joining the Department in January 2014.

By Nicole Limberis

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Vox PopsDEA staff members

How do you Reduce, Reuse and Recycle?

By Veronica Mahlaba, Gaopalelwe Moroane, Tshego Letshwiti and Sivuyile Ngaba

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Vox Pops continued

42 Environment Quarterly : April – June 2015For any enquiries or contributions, please contact:

Mrs. Lavinia Engelbrecht, Tel: 012 399 9951 email: [email protected] www.environment.gov.za

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PUBLICATION

The Minister of Environmental Affairs

Ms Bomo Edna MolewaPrivate Bag 313Pretoria, 0001Environment House473 Steve Biko RoadArcadia Pretoria, 0083Tel: (012) 399 9009Fax: (012) 321 0147

The Deputy Minister of Environmental AffairsMs Barbara ThomsonPrivate Bag X313Pretoria, 0001Environment House473 Steve Biko RoadArcadia Pretoria, 0083Tel: (012) 388 8765Fax: (012) 321 0094

Department of Environmental Affairs

Director General: Ms Nosipho NgcabaPrivate Bag X447Pretoria, 0001Environment House473 Steve Biko RoadArcadia Pretoria, 0083Tel: (012) 399 9007Fax: (012) 321 0198E-mail: [email protected]

Call Center:0861112468•[email protected]

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