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THURSDAY, 17 JULY 2014
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PROCEEDINGS OF EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMITTEE – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
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Members of the Extended Public Committee met in the Old Assembly
Chamber at 14:00.
House Chairperson Ms M G Boroto, as Chairperson, took the Chair and
requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or
meditation.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon members, you are allowed
to speak from where you are, but not from behind the screens. If you
are behind the screens, please come closer.
We want to welcome the members of the public in the gallery. We love
you and acknowledge your presence here, but please help us by not
participating in the debate. This includes the clapping of hands and
the taking of pictures. Let us uphold the decorum of the House.
Thank you.
APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Vote No 30 – Environmental Affairs:
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The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Chairperson; hon Ministers,
of whom I see Minister Pandor and I hear her voice; hon colleagues;
MECs present here, of whom I have seen the Western Cape MEC for
Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning,
Mr Bredell; the chair and members of the portfolio committee; chief
executives of public entities; distinguished guests; and ladies and
gentlemen, although it is rainy, it is a very good day. Today we
consider the budget of the Department of Environmental Affairs as
well as its programmes and priorities. This budget reflects the
clear mandate given to us by South Africans to implement the ruling
party’s policies.
As humanity continues to consume the earth’s resources at ever
increasing and unsustainable rates, we are experiencing rapidly
accelerating trends of environmental degradation and climate change
globally.
The international responses to these threats are driven by a
changing world order characterised by the rise of emerging
economies, rapidly changing patterns of international economic
competitiveness, and a widespread shift towards green, climateresilient and low-carbon development policies and strategies.
In response, environmental considerations are being mainstreamed in
development policies across the economy, which demands that
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Environmental Affairs radically transform its approach. We do so in
the following manner.
We firstly co-ordinate, support and lead the environmental
dimensions of South Africa’s broader green and blue economy and
sustainable development effort. Secondly, we ensure the sustainable
use and conservation of our biodiversity, natural heritage and
ecosystem resources and services. Thirdly, we protect the country
from and manage environmental degradation, environmental impacts and
environmental health threats and risks for the benefit of current
and future generations. Lastly, we optimise job creation, skills
development, livelihood security and environmental sector
socioeconomic development co-benefits.
As far as sustainable development and the green economy are
concerned, in response to our need for a long-term solution to the
challenges we as South Africa face, this is actually contained in
the National Development Plan. As we continue, we are implementing
the NDP. The NDP outlines the urgent need to make a transition in
our economy in order to place it on an internationally competitive,
job-creating, sustainable, climate-resilient and low-carbon
development path. All this we are doing whilst recognising that
South Africa’s natural capital, in the form of ecosystems,
biodiversity, and other natural resources, is a critical foundation
for unlocking and boosting socioeconomic growth and ensuring the
long-term well-being of our society.
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This requires a coherent and conducive policy, fiscal, regulatory
and governance system to facilitate innovation and incentives to
enable and support the following: investment in the development of
new green and blue economic industries; growth of existing green and
blue sectors; investment in the green and blue transition of
existing sectors or industries; and the promotion of consumer and
societal behaviour change to more sustainable patterns of
consumption and production.
In order to facilitate and support accelerated implementation of
sustainable development initiatives, amendments to the National
Environmental Management Act have been effected so as to develop an
integrated environmental regulatory system that now includes
environmental authorisations for mining developments. Accordingly,
the Minister of Mineral Resources will now issue mining-related
environmental impact assessment and waste licence authorisations,
with the Minister of Environmental Affairs being the appeals
authority on mining as well.
The co-operative governance arrangement also aligns the simultaneous
processing of air emission and water use licences for mining
activities. This has necessitated amendments to the National
Environmental Management: Waste Act, the National Environmental
Management: Air Quality Act and the Water Services Act. Further
regulations to this effect are being developed and will be published
in the next financial year.
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Our strategy on the green economy, guided by the NDP vision, is
comprised of eight key pillars, as we may all know by now, namely
green buildings and built environment; sustainable transport and
infrastructure; clean energy and energy efficiency; resource
conservation and management; sustainable waste management; water
management; sustainable consumption and production; and agricultural
food production and forestry. We have to do something about these
eight pillars.
The key challenge to implementation on an economy-wide scale is
financing. The national Green Fund, which has come in very handy
thanks to Treasury and the national government, is one example of
our innovative approach to catalysing this financing and investment.
We have made great strides in this regard, with the implementation
of 22 multiyear green economy projects, and 16 research and
technology-related projects, valued at R572 million.
These investments are bolstered by international efforts, such as
the Global Environment Facility, an international financing
mechanism to support developing countries. We are also pushing very
hard for the final operationalisation of the Green Climate Fund,
which is intended to mobilise and provide significant financial
investment support for low-carbon and climate-resilient development
in developing countries.
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I must acknowledge with appreciation the bilateral co-operation and
partnership programmes in environmental and sustainable development
that are being implemented by South Africa with her partners,
particularly those from Germany, Norway and the USA.
We are also working at growing existing green sectors or industries
that are maximising job creation co-benefits at the same time.
Through the cultural and environmental programmes of the Expanded
Public Works Programme we are working on expanding job creation in
the medium term. The Deputy Minister will speak on this in detail.
I would now like to address our efforts towards realising the
constitutional mandate to protect us from and manage environmental
degradation, environmental impacts and environmental health threats
and risks.
Here I would like to start with air quality and climate change. We
all know that air pollution is recognised as a very serious health
hazard. Every effort must be made to protect people’s right to air
quality. Industry must reduce its emissions. Government must enforce
minimum emission standards and monitor air quality. Activist
organisations must continue to raise the alarm when necessary.
In 2010 the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act came
into full force. Instead of controlling only what comes out of
individual stacks, the Act represents a paradigm shift. It provides
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for an integrated and outcomes-based approach to reduce the impact
of multiple-source pollution. We achieve this by setting minimum
emission standards to control the amount of industrial pollution
that enters the atmosphere.
Priority areas have been declared, including the Vaal Triangle, the
Highveld, and the Waterberg, where ambient air quality standards are
currently compromised and may be exceeded in future.
We are continuously measuring the quality of the air through
102 government-owned air quality monitoring stations that measure
compliance with the ambient air quality standards countrywide. The
South African Weather Service is involved in this. These stations
continuously send data to the South African Air Quality Information
System, managed by the South African Weather Service.
We are cognisant of the fact that we are part of a global community
and that greenhouse gas emissions are severely impacting the climate
system. Our continent is among the most vulnerable to these impacts,
with future temperature increases of 4˚C or more predicted in some
countries.
The report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change released recently confirms that global emissions of
greenhouse gases have risen to unprecedented levels, with negative
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effects on agriculture, human health, ecosystems, water supplies and
people’s livelihoods worldwide.
South Africa is actively participating in the international climate
change negotiations towards reaching a new multilateral legal
agreement targeted for finalisation at the 21st Conference of the
Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Cop 21,
which is to be held in Paris in December 2015. This global agreement
must be a legal, multilateral rules-based system that is inclusive,
fair and effective, and is based on science and adequate levels of
ambitious climate action to keep the temperature increase below 2˚C.
Our National Climate Change Response Strategy, which was launched in
South Africa just before Cop 17, is aimed at building social,
economic and environmental resilience to the impacts of climate
change and making a fair contribution to the global effort to
stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations.
South Africa’s emission-reduction approach is guided by a
comprehensive analysis of the potential emission reduction
opportunities in key economic sectors, including energy, industry,
transport, agriculture and waste. We have found that almost 40% of
the total emission reduction estimated for 2020 can be achieved
through implementing mitigation measures that provide big cost
savings and energy efficiency. We must just act in those areas,
because there is not much cost involved.
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The next step is to define desired emission reduction objectives per
sector, what we call the DEROs, in order to meet our commitment to
implementing mitigation actions that will collectively result in a
34% deviation below the “business as usual” emissions growth
trajectory by 2020, and a 42% deviation by 2025. This is a
commitment that we made through our President at a world climate
change discussion. Therefore, we must continue to implement it.
South Africa is really hard at work, increasing renewable energy,
increasing energy efficiency, and growing our public transport
system. We are very aware of all the programmes taking place, and we
are proud of that.
In order to ensure that South Africa’s food, water, energy and
infrastructure security is not negatively impacted by climate
change, we have developed long-term adaptation scenarios, over and
above the long-term mitigation scenarios, to inform adaptation
planning and implementation, because we have to plan within the
context of what we know. These interventions involving all
stakeholders will ensure water, food and health security, and that
infrastructure in coastal areas is protected from potential sealevel rise.
The National Environmental Management: Waste Act and the National
Waste Management Strategy entrench the universal waste management
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principles of the reduction, reusing, recycling, and recovery of
waste.
Among the identified goals of our waste management strategy is the
contribution of the waste sector to the green economy. I am pleased
to announce that the National Environmental Management: Waste
Amendment Act, Act 26 of 2014 has been in effect since 2 June 2014.
It establishes an economic base for viable recycling. It apportions
sufficient value to waste to facilitate demand for recyclables,
thereby producing more jobs and enterprise development from the
waste sector. Recycling has been valued at a contribution of as much
as R50 billion to the South African economy. In effect, waste will
now be a renewable resource and not something to throw away.
In regard to prioritising waste streams, we began with plastic bags
in 2002, and initiated a national waste tyre plan last year. Going
forward, we will prioritise electronic waste, paper and packaging.
The tyre plan alone will create more than 10 000 jobs in the next
two years.
The Act now also provides for a pricing strategy for waste
management charges as well as for the establishment of a waste
management bureau to oversee the disbursement of revenue collected
from waste management charges.
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We will also consult on the proposed development of regulations for
the separation of waste at source; the banning of plastic waste at
landfill sites; a moratorium on new landfill sites; a prohibition on
the burning of waste; a regional approach to waste management and
disposal, meaning that we should consider regional landfill sites; a
deposit-return charge on plastic bottles; and how the revenue will
fund industry and community initiatives to recycle and recover waste
streams.
We have seen a fundamental improvement in the provision of, and
access to, waste collection services over the past 20 years –
because nothing was done previously – and particularly in the last
five years. This positive trend will be sustained, with more
households being provided with waste collection services in order to
achieve 80% access to basic waste collection services for all
households.
We continue our commitment to licensing all unlicensed landfill
sites, and I am happy to announce that all 341 identified unlicensed
sites will finally be regularised by the end of September this year.
I urge all South Africans across the country to heed the call for
action made by our President in his state of the nation address to
play our part in cleaning up the environment by committing just
67 minutes to this on 18 July, Mandela Day, in the true legacy of
Madiba. I call on all citizens to demonstrate their commitment.
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The effects of mercury on the environment and human health have been
widely documented. It accumulates globally in our food, water and
environment, is hazardous, and can be fatal. The international
community has finalised a legally binding treaty on mercury, known
as the Minamata Convention, which South Africa signed in
October 2013. The department has already begun the work of
processing this in Parliament and ensuring that we accede to the
convention and bring it into force.
I have published the national regulations on ozone-depleting
substances and polychlorinated biphenyls, which are aimed at phasing
out these harmful chemicals. We have also developed a public
education and awareness strategy that, amongst other things,
promotes the safe use of chemicals as well as access to information
on the sound management of chemicals. We will also commence this
year with the training of customs officials on the importing and
exporting of chemicals. I am pleased to announce that we will host
an annual World Ozone Day event in the Eastern Cape on 16 September.
I would now like to address the programmes on the sustainable use
and conservation of our biodiversity, natural heritage, and
ecosystem resources and services. South Africa’s national botanical
gardens, as windows and ambassadors for our biodiversity, have been
visited by more than 22,7 million visitors and produced over
R400 million in self-generated income, largely from admissions,
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rentals and sales, to supplement government grants and support
garden-based operations.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute drives important,
policy-relevant biodiversity and ecosystems research programmes
through an extensive international academic research network, and
also through working with our Department of Science and Technology,
as a leader in the science field. Thank you, Minister Pandor, for
being here and for all the support you give at all times.
Poaching remains the biggest threat to South Africa’s rhino. There
has been an alarming increase in rhino poaching countrywide. Because
it is part of a multimillion dollar illicit wildlife trade,
addressing this scourge is not simple. That is why we will continue
to strengthen a holistic and integrated intervention and explore new
innovative options to ensure the long-term survival of the species.
However, our conservation efforts have been successful. Over the
first six months of 2014, 136 suspects were arrested and charged for
rhino poaching and related crimes. This represents an increase on
the 134 arrests over the same period last year. An amount of
R8 million from the Asset Forfeiture Unit was handed over to
SANParks as part of criminal proceedings against members of poaching
syndicates who have been arrested during the course of the year. An
amount of R103 million for the period 2014-15 to 2016-17 has been
allocated to SANParks for the purpose of combating rhino poaching.
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This is in addition to other financial assistance that SANParks has
received and continues to receive from private sector organisations
through its fundraising initiatives.
Our priority engagements with key African countries such as
Mozambique will continue to receive high attention. An international
agreement with the Mozambican authorities has been signed to
strengthen the fight against rhino poaching. An implementation plan
for the next five years is currently being jointly negotiated.
Further afield, our engagements with Far Eastern countries,
including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong - which is part of the
People’s Republic of China - and the People’s Republic of China
itself, to address the demand for illegal trade in wildlife and
wildlife products are beginning to bear fruit.
South Africa will host the 17th Conference of the Parties to Cites,
Cop 17, and the process to prepare for this Cop has been initiated.
The hosting of Cop 17 will provide South Africa with an opportunity
to demonstrate its conservation successes, which are enormous, and
to promote sustainable utilisation as an integral part of
conservation and economic growth.
Considering the importance of some forms of legal international
trade in wildlife products and the challenges posed by illegal
wildlife trade, the Cop will present an opportunity to open rational
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discussions on potential solutions that will enable countries,
communities and species to benefit from a sustainable use approach,
including possible well-regulated trade regimes, while ensuring
illegal activities are dealt with effectively and punitively.
The billion dollar illegal trade in fauna and flora, other than
fisheries and timber, involves a wide range of species, including
insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish and mammals, all of which are of
high value to our national economy.
Last year Cabinet directed that we investigate the desirability and
feasibility of making a particular proposal at the 17th Conference
of Parties to Cites in 2016. This proposal would be on the
legalising of trade in rhino horn as a potential intervention to
reduce the incidence of poaching.
The interministerial committee that has been appointed will first
consider a report from the panel of experts appointed in January
2014. The panel will also engage with various stakeholders during
the process. No decision has as yet been made on this issue, as work
is ongoing. We are investigating. Let all South Africans
participate. We would like to urge all stakeholders to work with us
in ensuring that whatever position we adopt at Cites in 2016 is well
researched, and that it adheres to sustainable utilisation
principles. And, Minister Pandor, we once again call on you to help
in regard to the research.
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We also welcome the decision of the World Heritage Committee of
Unesco to approve a reduced buffer zone for the Mapungubwe World
Heritage Site. Our department will now move to the next stage of
consultations, with a view to beginning to implement this buffer
zone through national legislation.
The critical issue of mining, which has in the past led to a
conflict between conservation and development, will now be addressed
through the implementation of the Mining and Biodiversity Guideline
which was published by our department and the Department of Mineral
Resources last year.
This guideline also introduces an extremely important concept called
biodiversity offsetting, aimed at restoring the environment and
development balance. This tool is specifically designed to ensure
that we leave subsequent generations with a biodiversity endowment
of at least equal value.
However, biodiversity is not the only area where offsetting can
happen. There are many areas, such as air quality, water quality and
carbon, and we will be investigating all these areas. To this end,
the department will be exploring the exciting concept of
environmental offsetting, and we are looking forward to working with
academia and nongovernmental organisations.
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Invasive alien species are now recognised worldwide as among the
greatest threats: to biological diversity and the ecological
functioning of natural systems; to the productive potential of land
and water; to the economy; and in terms of diseases.
Environmental biosecurity will complement the internationally
commended Working for Water programme in preventing the introduction
of potentially invasive species and managing those already in the
country. This will prevent impacts and losses that can amount to
hundreds of billions of rands, apart from the fact that Working for
Water is the single biggest programme to create jobs for unemployed
people in South Africa.
Last year we published the Green Paper on National Environmental
Management of the Ocean, which has since been developed into a White
Paper and approved by Cabinet. This policy identified the fact that
South Africa has not fully exploited the economic, commercial,
industrial and large-scale livelihood opportunities presented by the
sustainable use and management of the oceans surrounding our
country. Therefore, we are co-ordinating a discussion among all
relevant departments, public entities and stakeholders to examine
and assess the socioeconomic opportunities of sustainable ocean use
and management for South Africa as a basis for developing a vibrant
oceans economy. Accordingly, the number of jobs linked to the ocean
economy could rise to between 800 000 and 1 million, and possibly
treble the current contribution of 316 000 jobs.
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We are developing a 5- to 10-year strategic plan to unlock growth in
these sectors, and adapting a methodology used by Malaysia which is
called Big Fast Results. South Africa has now coined the name,
Operation Phakisa, to emphasise its critical role in fast-tracking
delivery on the priorities included in the NDP. For those who do not
know, “phakisa” means “hurry up.” President Zuma will launch this
programme in Durban this Saturday.
Let me conclude. We are working on national environmental interests
through global sustainable development and, indeed, at an
international level. We are working with the SADC. This coming
August heads of state will sign a protocol at the SADC level, but at
all other levels of the environment, be it climate change or
something else, we continue to represent our national interests.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all esteemed members.
We look forward to working with the portfolio committee and its
chair. I would like to thank all members of the portfolio committee
and everyone in the legislature. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Thank you very much, hon
Minister. Hon members, because those on the speakers’ list do not
have clocks, I will indicate when you have one minute left. Do not
let it disturb you.
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Mr J M MTHEMBU: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister Edna Molewa, hon
Deputy Minister Barbara Thomson, members of the Portfolio Committee
on Environmental Affairs, all who are here from the environmental
sector, members of the media who are present here, and ladies and
gentlemen, it is indeed a great pleasure to extend to all of you, on
behalf of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, a warm
welcome to this annual debate on the Budget Vote of the Department
of Environmental Affairs.
I rise on this occasion on behalf of the ANC in support of this
budget allocation to the department. I truly consider it an honour
for me to stand before this august House to make my maiden speech on
the Budget Vote of the department. In so doing, it would be
inappropriate of me, as the chairperson of the committee, not to
start this debate by thanking all members of my portfolio committee
for the integrity, thoroughness and intellectual vigour that they
displayed when participating in the activities of the committee,
particularly in scrutinising the budget allocation to the department
for the current year.
The most reassuring thing that we as South Africans have is that,
despite our political differences, we have a shared understanding of
what needs to be done to protect our environment and bequeath it in
a form that future generations of South Africans will be proud of.
This is demonstrated by the current body of national policy and
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legal frameworks that the ANC has championed for the environmental
sector.
It is in this context that I stand here, fully cognisant and proud
that the organisation and movement that deployed me to this
Parliament has always been, and still continues to be, a
torchbearer, not only for political freedoms all over the world, but
also for socioeconomic and environmental rights.
Throughout its inception the ANC never saw the political
emancipation of the people of South Africa as divorced from the
protection of the environment that they live in. This was amply
demonstrated by the ANC in 1992, when the organisation released its
seminal paper titled Ready to Govern: ANC Policy Guidelines for a
Democratic South Africa. The guiding principles for the
environmental sector in that document have since shaped and continue
to define our thinking and practice, as a nation. That seminal
document states:
The ANC believes that all citizens of South Africa at present and
in future, have the right to a safe and healthy environment, and
to a life of wellbeing.
It is this noble goal of the protection and conservation of the
environment that has also found concrete expression in our
Constitution, of which the ANC was a major sponsor. The Constitution
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states in section 24 that all South Africans have a constitutional
right:
(a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or
wellbeing; and
(b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present
and future generations ...
The ANC has also, in all its conferences, including the last
conference held in Mangaung in 2012, given enough, in fact ample,
time to discuss ways and means of protecting and conserving the
environment, and how best South Africa could adopt a development
trajectory of a green economy, as it takes measures to mitigate and
adapt to climate change impact exacerbated by greenhouse gas
emissions into the atmosphere. This came as a clear understanding by
the ANC of the terrible consequences that the continued emissions of
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere would have on various sectors
of the economy, including agriculture, and the resultant devastating
effect on the most vulnerable in South Africa.
We are also holding this Budget Vote debate a day before we observe
Nelson Mandela International Day. Madiba was the icon of our
struggle for peace in the world, but, equally, a fierce proponent of
the protection and conservation of the world environment. It is
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therefore appropriate to recall Madiba’s famous, poetic statements
on the birth of our democracy when he said:
I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its
leaders combine their efforts to solve the problems of this
continent ... and I dream of the vast deserts, the forests, and
all of the wilderness of our continent; wild places that we should
protect as a precious heritage for our children and for our
children’s children. We must never forget that it is our duty to
protect this environment.
So said Madiba.
Tomorrow all of us will be doing our bit to clean up our environment
in honour of this wonderful human being, Madiba. I will also
participate in this campaign of cleaning up our environment, as
announced by President Jacob Zuma.
As we participate in cleaning up the environment we will, of course,
all be wearing our boots, our overalls and our makarapa [hard hats].
[Interjections.] [Laughter.] That is because, when you do cleaning,
you need this protective clothing. However, you don’t when you are
in Parliament! [Applause.] I hope that some members of this House
will learn a bit from what Madiba taught us.
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We are here today, firstly, to debate whether the financial
allocation to this department for this financial year, 2014-15, is
justifiable.
Secondly, we are also here to debate, arising out of the report of
the portfolio committee, whether the strategic plans and the annual
performance plans for this year of the department and the entities
that report to it are credible and implementable.
When the committee met with the department on 1 July 2014, we were
fairly comfortable about undertaking this very important task,
because we had already met with the department prior to that meeting
to ascertain what mandate they carry and how they are taking that
mandate forward.
We would again like to thank the director-general, who led the
department in giving us working information on what this department
is about, long before we interacted with them on their strategic
plans. Thank you, director-general, and thank you to the department.
The department was represented by the director-general, who led a
contingent of executive managers, as well as senior leaders of the
various entities reporting to the department, namely the SA National
Parks, the SA Weather Service, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and the SA
National Biodiversity Institute.
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Chairperson, at the outset we would like to say that we fully agree
with the President of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob
Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, in his separating the Department of
Environmental Affairs from what used to be the Department of Water
and Environmental Affairs. We believe this separation will give the
Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, and her Deputy
Minister, Barbara Thomson, ample opportunity and time to focus on
environmental matters. Equally, we believe that the separation of
the two areas of work will allow the incoming Minister of Water and
Sanitation, the hon Minister Mokonyane, to give her undivided
attention to addressing the water and sanitation needs of all South
Africans.
Prior to 1994 environmental governance was an emerging discipline
that was selectively applied and highly fragmented in its
application. The right to a clean and healthy environment was not
enshrined in a constitutional system, but was nevertheless
selectively applied.
The past 20 years have seen a dramatic and sustained process of the
formation of environmental guiding principles, and institution
building and restructuring, coupled with legislation and policy
development. In these 20 years we have also seen domestic and
international engagements, as alluded to by the Minister, all with
the intention of addressing the historical legacy of inequality,
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international isolation, and fragmented structures of environmental
governance.
The first decade of our democratic state entailed a paradigm shift
in the regulatory framework and consultative approach to
environmental management, culminating in the adoption of the
National Environmental Management Act as the framework environmental
legislation. This decade also involved a repositioning of the
environmental sector as a strategic economic function within
government, with a substantial increase in its budgetary allocation
and the development of more detailed sectoral regulations, including
amendments and additions to the National Environmental Management
Act.
The second decade of our democracy saw the Department of
Environmental Affairs consolidating the dramatic and revolutionary
changes of the first decade and focusing on building implementation
capacity, as well as supporting regulatory instruments. The last
years of the second decade have seen progress in environmental
governance, characterised by a performance-based approach to
environmental management, with a focus on monitoring achievements
and refining and streamlining environmental goals in the context of
enhancing the movement towards a green economy for all sectors of
our economy.
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We can clearly state that South Africa has come a long way in
ensuring that the constitutionally enshrined right to a clean and
healthy environment is realised and protected. The collaboration and
co-operation of all spheres of government and civil society have
been central in getting the nation working towards a green, projobs, pro-development future.
South Africa is redressing the previous environmental protection
imbalances by implementing pro-poor, sustainable development
programmes. It is in this context that all of us as South Africans
must feel proud of the achievements of the past 20 years,
particularly the efforts that have been put into protecting and
conserving the environment, which have always been people-centric.
The achievements of the past 20 years should be able to assist us
with a solid foundation as we continue with our work of further
reconstruction and development in the next decade of our lives.
In its first Environmental Performance Review of South Africa, the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Europe,
which is normally referred to as the OECD, praises the progress made
with environmental reforms in our country. It says that the progress
has been remarkable. Let me quote what this organisation has said:
Environmentally related taxes generate revenues on par with many
OECD countries. Subsidies for fossil fuel consumption are much
lower than in many other emerging market economies. A Green
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Economy Accord was launched in 2011 to promote partnerships with
the private sector and others to green the economy. In some areas,
such as biodiversity, South Africa has developed pioneering laws
and policies that are more advanced than in many OECD member
countries. The human and financial resources allocated to the
environment have been significantly strengthened, and an effective
framework for enforcing environmental laws put in place.
Now we are not the only ones who are saying we have a good story to
tell. It is also some wonderful people, who have done much research
and who reside somewhere in a place called Europe. It is unfortunate
that as South Africans we at times wait to hear from others before
we can really pat ourselves on the back.
You will know as well as I do that in the democratic South Africa of
today you cannot undertake any development of any nature unless an
environmental impact assessment has been conducted – finish and
klaar! Therefore, as a country we have been able to stitch into the
DNA of our economic development the very necessary and important
aspect of safeguarding the environment for future generations.
In the quest to take environmental governance further and implement
the regulatory framework we have put in place, the department is
structured so as to have the following programmes: Administration;
Legal, Authorisations and Compliance; Oceans and Coasts; Climate
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Change and Air Quality Management; Biodiversity and Conservation;
Environmental Programmes; and Chemicals and Waste Management.
Lest we all forget – and as we are just human beings, we are prone
to forgetting – the department has, in the many years preceding this
one, received unqualified audit reports from the Auditor-General. We
are, nonetheless, aware that the annual report of the department for
2013-14 is still being audited, but we are quite confident that it
will also receive a wonderful audit outcome from the AuditorGeneral.
Moreover, the department and its entities have in many years been
able to spend over 95% of the budget allocations to the department.
This fact alone convinces us that the department has the necessary
human capacity and expertise to carry forward the mandate it has.
At present the department has 141 members in the senior management
service, and 55 of these are women. This gives the structure of
senior management in this department a 40% women’s representation.
That is good, but it can be better. We are also fully aware that
there are 35 people with disabilities in the department, accounting
for a 2,2% representation. We are therefore confident that when the
department says it will be able to up women’s representation to 50%
in this financial year, that is credible and achievable. When it
says it will be able to go up to 2,6% in relation to people with
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disabilities, that is achievable. It is also above the 2% that is
legislated. Work well done!
The President of the Republic of South Africa – uNxamalala uMsholozi
we ma! ... [Laughter.] ... J G Zuma, in his second state of the
nation address this year, implored us all as South Africans,
government departments and every sector of the economy, to work
towards the achievement of a 5% increase in our GDP in the next five
years. I am confident that this department’s plans to map out the
potential of our blue or ocean economy, a new sector in our economic
mix, will go a long way in following the guidance by the President.
This blue economy will include marine transport and manufacturing,
the repair of ships and oil rigs, the building of boats and ships,
and the possible offshore production of oil and gas, amongst others.
It will go a long way towards making a significant contribution to
an increase in our GDP.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): You have one minute left.
Mr J M MTHEMBU: Kulungile. Ake siye kule ndaba manje ngoba siyabona
ukuthi le nto isiyinkinga. [It’s fine. Let’s go back to this issue,
because we are now aware that it is a problem.]
If I have not yet said so, let me say that we support this Budget
Vote. [Interjections.]
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We are informed that approximately 90% of global natural disasters
are related to severe weather and climate events. It is in this
regard that we applaud the significant role that the SA Weather
Service continues to play in issuing weather warnings of severe
weather events, of threats to our lives and of damage to the
property of South Africans, and also to those beyond our borders.
Equally important is the vital role that the SA Weather Service has
played over the years in adaptation strategies and applications that
benefit various sectors in planning, decision-making and risk
management, by monitoring and focusing services on all time scales.
Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon members, please assist
me. You are conversing too loudly, especially those close to me.
Please, let’s try to keep the sound down, as I said before. I don’t
want to be coming back to you again and again, saying, “Please keep
quiet. Please speak softly.” I’m saying it only once.
Mr T Z HADEBE: Hon Chairperson, hon Madam Minister, hon members and
all protocol observed, I do not need to remind you of the mandate of
the department, but I would like to quote what the chairperson of
the portfolio committee quoted. That is section 24 of the
Constitution, which says that all South Africans have a
constitutional right:
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(a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing; and
(b) to have the environment protected ...
We need to ask ourselves whenever we take action: What does this do
to our environment?
In that regard, we welcome the move by the department on the
gazetted Code of Practice for Air Dispersion Modelling. We hope that
the department will effectively implement the content thereof. We
also welcome the relocation by the department to their new ecofriendly building and we urge other Ministries to follow this
example.
The National Development Plan charts the way for South Africans to
utilise natural resources efficiently and effectively, for the
benefit of all our citizens. Our children and future generations
will not enjoy the said benefits if we do not ensure a sustainable
environment and a transition to a low-carbon economy.
In order for the department to be able to fulfil its constitutional
mandate, there must be adequate funding. It is worrying to see that
some of the programmes have inadequate funding or less money. Budget
cuts in this manner will result in deficiencies in the execution of
these functions.
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I would like to draw the hon Minister’s attention to
Programme 4: Climate Change and Air Quality. This function has been
given R6,1 million less in this budget. The world has woken up to
the threats that climate change presents. Has this department woken
up to these and adequately budgeted for the impact of climate
change? The devastating effects of climate change, like drought,
food shortages and floods, are well documented. We cannot afford a
slow response to the storm that lies ahead.
At the meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and
Government on climate change in Malabo on 26 June this year, the
meeting identified five key points in setting up plans for climate
change in Africa. They are: climate finance and technology needs;
adaptation; mitigation; participation; and institutional cooperation. At that meeting the hon Dr Dlamini-Zuma, who addressed
the members, said, and I quote:
... Africa is a region with the least capacity to deal with the
challenges of adaptation, which is why the issue of climate change
is so alarming and calls for decisive action.
If this is a critical function for the whole of the African
continent, then why is enough funding not made available?
A healthy environment is essential in order for citizens to seize
opportunities to create sustainable livelihoods. Opportunities for
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new jobs in the green economy are numerous, provided that an
enabling environment is created.
An effective response to climate change is required in order for
South Africa to contribute to the global effort to stabilise the
climate system and to make our country more resilient to climate
change.
An effective response to climate change will also offer the
opportunity for the development and introduction of new
technologies, the stimulation of demand for new products, and the
associated creation of jobs. A job-creating green economy can be
stimulated by incentivising investment in the green economic sector,
provided the leadership in the economy showcases best practice and
supports research and innovation. The current budget creates no
opportunities for this.
We also urgently need to address emissions caused by the Eskom
coal-fired power stations. The emissions at coal-fired power
stations cause respiratory problems for many South Africans,
particularly those with compromised immune systems. A degrading
environment negatively impacts on the quality of life faced by
communities surrounding these plants and negates attempts to
alleviate their plight.
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In a recent publication it is reported that the latest greenhouse
gas inventory suggests that national emissions reached a record
level of 579 256 gigagrams, which is equivalent to an increase of
24,9% in CO2 in 2010 compared to emissions levels in 2000. That is a
whopping 25% increase over the past 10 years, despite warnings that
all countries need to reduce emissions drastically to avoid
dangerous alterations to the world climate patterns.
We need to be investing in research and unlocking data and
information to better understand the projected impacts of climate
change and better prepare our communities and infrastructure. The
research will help us to find appropriate models of funding and will
facilitate informed judgements concerning climate change and dealing
with industrial pollution. It is all very well to monitor these
levels, but we need to actually do something about them. The hon
Minister must act and put the department’s money where its mouth is.
I now come to the SA Weather Service, SAWS. As we know, our country
is heavily engaged with agriculture, and furthermore the economy is
also dependent on weather patterns. The predictability of our
weather is becoming less certain, especially with the effects of
climate change. Therefore, the reduction of R20 million in the 201415 budget and a further cut of R20 million in the 2015-16 budget for
the SAWS do not make sense. Our farms, fishers, tourism industry,
transport infrastructure, ports and airlines need accurate, First
World weather reports if they are to function effectively, safely
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and productively. It is noted with concern that the department was
underfunded in previous budget allocations and as a result, the SA
Weather Service has struggled to fully implement its mandate. A
further budget cut will only aggravate the situation.
Chair, I would also like to draw the hon Minister’s attention to
Programme 3: Oceans and Coasts, and, in particular, to the poaching
of our marine resources, such as abalone. The networks of the
criminal syndicates are in a leisurely fashion combing the rocks for
abalone and cleaning them out in order to meet the demand of the
black market. This is driving the species to the edge of extinction
on our shores. The poachers do this without fear of being caught,
even in broad daylight.
These poachers are lurking in many coastal villages and it was
recently reported that poachers walked through the Betty’s Bay
Marine Protected Area and the endangered seabird breeding colony,
disturbing the endangered breeding birds, and entered the water in
full view of the people. This is a clear indication that the
criminals no longer fear the state.
I call on the hon Minister to budget for crackdowns on all poachers
and any encroachment on our endangered protected areas.
South Africa is our country, this is our own environment, and we
have to do everything in our power to protect, maintain and nurture
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our environment. What we do or fail to do in this Fifth Parliament
will echo forever in eternity. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr J A MNGXITAMA: Chair, the mandate of the department is framed in
the Constitution as protecting the environment for today and for
tomorrow. Sadly, this modest mandate cannot be fulfilled because the
department, like all government departments, has chosen the path of
putting profits before people.
Basically the department’s logic has to do with saving capital. This
government, the ANC government, has inserted our nation into the
global system of capitalism in ways that will ensure the end of our
planet as we know it. If we do not act radically, and fast enough,
in this century alone 200 million Africans will perish as a result
of the impact of climate change. The current levels of greenhouse
gas emissions will have only one outcome if we do not act – an
ecological holocaust.
The simple truth is that the West, including the UN system, does not
have answers to the ecological disaster facing us, because it is
married to the capitalist logic which wants more and more from
nature and from people. [Interjections.]
In his state of the nation address President Zuma spoke at length
about the new energy generation sources, all of which will
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contribute to global warming. The President further surrendered the
prospects of a green economy to the whims of private capital.
We must remember that the ANC pocketed R50 million from its
relationship with Hitachi, after creating an energy crisis that
could have been resolved. [Interjections.] By the way, we can solve
these immediate energy problems by doing a simple thing – stopping
giving BHP Billiton energy for free. Why are we supporting a
multinational company with our energy? [Applause.]
The EFF is very clear, therefore, that it cannot support this budget
which is silent on our people who live in industrial areas with high
toxicity. We say very clearly: No to nuclear energy! We must
remember what happened in Japan to its economy and people. We say:
No to shale gas fracking! We say: No to coal-based energy sources!
[Interjections.]
We need a paradigm shift. We say: Yes to adaptation leading to
1 million climate jobs! We say: Yes to the demand that all polluters
must pay their ecological and social debt. We say: Yes to the end of
genetically modified organisms! We also say: No more emissions must
be paid for! We further say: Yes to this government’s stopping
paying BHP Billiton with our money.
We are also saying that the South African government must support
the class action of our people, ex-mineworkers who are suing those
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mining houses who have destroyed them, who are now sick and without
any assistance! Let us support that. [Applause.]
Hon Mthembu, your rhinos are not going to be safe until our people
are safe. [Applause.] We have to make sure that we move away from
...
An HON MEMBER: Chairperson ...
Mr J A MNGXITAMA: ... the real prospect of continuing to see the
carcasses of the rhino that we see. That is the future that awaits
us.
In conclusion ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon member, just hold on. I
will add the minutes of your time that remain.
Mr J A MNGXITAMA: What are my minutes?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): In fact, I will add your
seconds.
Mr J A MNGXITAMA: Thank you!
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon members of the public,
let us not have to send our sergeants up there. I gave a ruling
before we started. There is to be no public participation in the
House debates. Thank you. The hon member may continue.
Mr J A MNGXITAMA: The rhino is a perfect metaphor of the system that
we are up against. Those driven by the profit motive will continue
to chase the animal, steal its horn and leave it in great agony and
dying. The horrid picture of the rotting carcass of a murdered rhino
speaks to the collective future that we have. The rhino, like our
planet, has no future outside the future that puts people first. We
agree with Evo Morales: “either capitalism dies or Mother Earth
dies.” Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr N SINGH: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister and
hon colleagues, let me say at the outset that I do not serve on this
portfolio committee, but I have a deep and passionate interest in
environmental matters as I was the MEC responsible for environmental
affairs in KwaZulu-Natal for at least eight years.
Let me further say that our environment sustains us and gives us
life, shelter and commerce. Without it we are a barren wasteland of
nothing, and yet we choose to relegate it far too often to the
sidelines, viewing it more as an impediment to progress and less as
an overarching provider of everything we hold dear. This perception
must change. Our environment must become our primary concern, and
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any legislation or regulation that does not promote sustainable
growth must be amended or repealed.
To this end, Madam Minister, I welcome your announcement that the
National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Act was
promulgated in June. However, we need to look at the regulations and
the classifications of waste as contained in the Act, that follow
from the passing of the Act.
Ash, which is used by many of our citizens to make blocks, is
regarded as a hazardous substance, and yet it is of low risk. We
urgently need this substance to be declassified; otherwise we will
get companies writing to people – I have letters here – saying that
they are at risk of the Green Scorpions prosecuting, them if ash is
not declassified for our people to use to make blocks. It is an
international practice, it is done all over the world. There is less
risk than with other substances, and we think this should be done
sooner rather than later.
In this connection I would like to thank your Deputy DirectorGeneral, Mr Mark Gordon, and Mr Dlamini for interacting with our
communities in Umkomaas - the Mkhizes, the Moodleys, and the Shezis
- to try to resolve this problem. However, I think your signature is
required in this regard, Minister.
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The second community matter that I wish to raise, Madam Minister, is
one that affects the Durban South Basin. I think we all know that
this is a notorious area for toxic pollution. There are many
petrochemical industries situated there. The situation is not 100%
right, but is satisfactory at the moment in regard to emissions.
What the community is facing there at the moment is large-scale
pollution of the rivers and streams. In the past few days thousands
of fish have been killed in streams in the Durban South Basin.
Community activist Dr Desmond D’Sa has said that he has failed to
get the eThekwini Municipality and the provincial government to
address this particular problem. Therefore, we would like to ask
your department, Madam Minister, to intervene so that we can save
not only the fish, but also the livelihoods of people who rely on
fish as protein.
The third issue that I would like to raise in my limited time is the
question of rhino poaching. We say, we have to save our rhinos. We
have a responsibility, a responsibility not only to human beings,
but also to our wildlife. Whilst we understand that law enforcement
officers are trying to do their best, this situation seems to be
getting out of hand. Over 600 rhinos have been poached thus far this
year, mainly in the Kruger National Park and in the parks of
KwaZulu-Natal. I do not know why the Ugandan President had to say
that if anybody is found poaching in a park, they should be shot. I
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know we cannot go that far, but certainly we need to take drastic
measures.
Madam Minister, I also heard you talk about the question of DNA, and
the hon Mthembu referred to this. I understand that we signed an MOU
with Vietnam with regard to co-operation in respect of rhino
poaching. However, to date I do not think they have sent any DNA
samples of rhino horn and other products that they have found in
their country back to South Africa so that this MOU can be put into
effect.
The last item that I wish to raise in the one minute that you are
now going to give me, Chair, is the question of lion hunting!
[Laughter.] We need to ban canned lion hunting. It is becoming out
of control in our country. We are even allowing the exporting of
products that we get from lions, eg skeletons and other products. We
need to ensure that we do not support canned lion hunting. We cannot
allow our country, its conservation and its wildlife to be destroyed
by unscrupulous people who just want to make themselves rich. We
need to ensure, and you need to ensure, Madam Minister, that
something is done about it. Thank you very much. [Time expired.]
Mr M L SHELEMBE: Hon chairperson, hon Minister and hon Members of
Parliament, the allocation of R5,6 billion to the Department of
Environmental Affairs, which aims to give effect to the right of
citizens to an environment that is not harmful to their health and
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to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future
generations, is noted by the NFP. However, the cutting of the budget
on some subprogrammes of this department, we feel, may lead to
serious consequences, as this may have a negative impact on the
well-being of the citizens.
Hon Minister, it is not acceptable that the department has a number
of vacancies which have remained unfilled because of the failure by
the department to finalise recruitment processes, while there is a
continuous outcry against rhino poaching in South African parks.
Therefore, it is a must that these vacancies are filled with
immediate effect in order to combat the rhino poaching in our parks.
The cutting of the budget for the Branch: Legal, Authorisation,
Compliance and Enforcement will lead to noncompliance and will
weaken enforcement where criminal and administrative enforcement
action in response to noncompliance is undertaken. The cutting of
the budget of the legal and compliance section will put the
environmental sector under immense pressure because of pollution and
natural resource degradation. This means, Ministers that you have an
obligation to ensure that such noncompliance is prevented.
The NFP notes with appreciation the increase in the allocation to
the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. However, their corporate strategic
plan does not indicate clearly the jobs that will be created for the
historically disadvantaged communities in the uMkhanyakude District.
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It only emphasises the increase in revenue and visitor numbers to
the park, while people are being evicted without compensation for
their historical land and cannot continue with their farming.
The Branch: Chemicals and Waste Management in the Department of
Environmental Affairs is very important. So, to decrease the budget
of the Chief Directorate: General Waste and Municipal Support, we
feel, is a disaster, because municipalities are experiencing
financial constraints due to the number of indigent people they have
to look after. Some municipalities are failing to manage their waste
disposal sites, which leads to pollution and associated impacts, as
well as environmental degradation.
Hon minister, while we appreciate your focus on expanding job
creation through the Expanded Public Works Programme, when we
consider their earnings, we notice that they are far below the cost
of living. The gap between the poor and the rich is not being
closed.
Finally, we appreciate the unqualified audit opinion that the
department has received, but we as the NFP ... [Interjections.] ...
want to see a clean audit. That is what we want to see! Thank you
very much. [Laughter.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Chair; hon Minister,
Ms Edna Molewa; chairperson of the portfolio committee, Mr Jackson
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Mthembu; members of the portfolio committee; Members of Parliament;
our entities that are here with us; our guests; and ladies and
gentlemen ...
... angibonge Sihlalo. Sihlalo, ngoba ngizoshaya ngolukaMageba,
sengathi laba abasihumushelayo bangazibamba ziqine.
Lo Mnyango wethu wezeMvelo uye ubukeke sengathi uwumnyango okhetha
iphela emasini. Kuyaphoqeka ukuba siqonde ukuthi lo mnyango usidinga
sonke ngoba usithinta sonke. Konke okusizungezile kumayelana nalo
mnyango: kungaba umhlaba esiphila kuwo, umoya, amanzi, inhlabathi
uqobo, yilanga, izitshalo, izihlahla, utshani, umkhathi, amahlathi,
izilwane, ulwandle, imifula, ekugcineni abantu uqobo.
Kubalulekile-ke ukuthi siqaphele ukuthi singazitholi sesicekela
phansi wona umhlaba sibe siphila kuwo. Uma siwucekela phansi pho
siyophila kuphi, futhi siyozinza kuphi? Bengithi angindlalele
ngiphinde ngiqwashise.
Lolu suku lwanamuhla usuku lwethu singuMnyango wezeMvelo lapho
sihlahla khona indlela esizohamba ngayo, ngamanye amazwi
umkhombandlela. Ukusebenza kwethu kubandakanya ohulumeni
bezifundazwe kanye nohulumeni basekhaya. Sinethemba ukuthi
siyosebenzisana ngobuqotho ngoba phela inhloso yethu yinye,
“ukududula izwekazi lethu liye phambili”. Asisenakuphazamiseka ngoba
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abantu bangakithi, siyibonile imiphumela yokhetho. Sebekusho konke
bakwenza konke, uKhongolose wanqenqeza phambili.
UNgqongqoshe uluthintile udaba olubalulekile kwlokhu esithi: ibiodiversity. Yiyo phela abantu abasemakhaya abazikhusela ngayo.
Bayazingela, bayadoba, bayatshala, bamba amakhubalo okuziphilisa,
batheza izinkuni zokubasa nezokwakha izindawo zokufihla amakhanda.
Kundingeka sikhumbule ukuthi abantu basemakhaya basadla imbuya
ngothi, kodwa sithi kulabo esingakafiki kubo siyeza sizofika
qathatha njengokufa. Bangalilahli ithemba.
Ake ngithinte kafuphi kwezolwandle. Lokhu obekushiwo nguNgqongqoshe
wami ngesiNguni sizothi yi-Operation Shesha. Ulwandle lungezinye
zezibusiso esigidlabezwe ngalo ngumdali. Yebo, ulwandle luhle,
luyabukeka kodwa lo hulumeni uthi asingalibali ukubuka lo buhle
kuphela. Lolu lwandle luphethe umnotho ongasukuma phansi. Thina
nozakwethu besilibele ubuhle bolwandle, kanti onkabi bayavuna,
bazitika bodwana.
Siyonithinta uma sezidumela ngasemantsumpeni ukuze nani nivune efeni
laleli zwe njengoba sisho ku-Freedom Charter. Ngoba ulwandle
lubalulekile, masiwanakekele amanzi alo, singawangcolisi. Izinga
lokuhlanzeka kwalo libaluleke kakhulu. Siyakuqonda ukuthi lo mnotho
wasolwandle esikhuluma ngawo ungahle uphakame noma uvuse izinsiba
kwabanye abantu. Asazi-ke ngoba konke lokhu engikhulumayo
EPD 17 JULY 2014
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kuzokwenzeka kuwona lo hulumeni oholwa “uMaphuma ephethe”. Sithi
ulwandle luphethe okungaphezulu kokulibuka “umnotho” phela.
Sihlalo, ngike ngaba nethuba lokuvakashela umkhumbi i-SA Agulhas II.
Lona isikhondlakhondla somkhumbi esenza ucwaningo lwezesayensi
olwandle, mina nawe ngehlo lemvelo esingeke sikwazi ukulwenza.
Impela ngifunde engingakaze ngikucabange, lokhu kungenze ngakholwa
ukuthi ngempela lo hulumeni kukhulu osukwenzile futhi kukhulu
kuyeza. Sizinikele ukuthi sidlulele ngaphandle kwalokhu esithi Iexclusive economic zone.
Impela nakuba izwe lwethu kuyizwe elisathuthuka, kodwa hhayi
linamandla kakhulu. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[... thank you, Chairperson. Chairperson, since I am going to use my
mother tongue, our interpreters must please prepare themselves.
Our Department of Environmental Affairs seems like one that does not
cater for everyone. We all have to understand that the department
needs all of us, because the work that it does affects us all.
Everything around us is under the control of this department: the
land we occupy, air, water, the soil, the sun, plants, trees, grass,
space, forests, animals, oceans, rivers and, lastly, the people
themselves.
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We must therefore guard against destroying our own environment. If
we destroy it, then where will we live and settle? That was just my
introduction and my attempt to create some environmental awareness
amongst ourselves.
This is our day as the Department of Environmental Affairs to show
the way, in other words, to provide some guidelines. Our work
involves provincial and local government. I hope that we are all
going to dedicate ourselves to our work since we all have the same
goal, “to improve the living conditions in our continent”. Nothing
can make us deviate from our path now since the people have spoken;
we have all seen the results of our election. Our people have said
it all and done it all; the ANC has won the elections.
The Minister has mentioned something very important: biodiversity.
That is how rural communities earn a living. They hunt, fish,
cultivate the land, harvest herbal remedies that they sell in order
to earn a living and collect firewood and timber to build shelter
for themselves. We must not forget that some rural communities are
still very poor, but we promise them that we have not forgotten
about them. We will most certainly visit them in their communities.
They must never lose hope.
Let me talk about issues pertaining to our oceans. What my Minister
talked about in Nguni is called Operation Shesha. Our oceans are
some of the blessings that God has given us. Yes, they are beautiful
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and good to look at, but this government reminds us that we must not
only admire them for their beauty. Our oceans are a great source of
wealth. We and some other people like me were so busy admiring the
beauty of our oceans while other people were solely benefiting from
them.
We will let you know when the time is right so that you will also
benefit from the wealth of this country as the Freedom Charter
promises. Since our oceans are so important, we should conserve
their waters and not pollute them. It is very important to keep our
oceans clean. We understand that talking about our oceans’ wealth
might upset some of us. This government we have that is led by “The
Elusive Party” is going to make that happen. We must always remember
that our oceans have more to offer to us than just admiring their
beauty:
they are a great source of wealth.
Chairperson, I have had the opportunity to visit the SA Agulhas II.
This is a big ship that is used for scientific research in the
oceans, which cannot be conducted by any of us with the naked eye.
What I learned there was more than I could have imagined, which made
me realise that this government has achieved a great deal, and
greater things are still to come. We are determined to go beyond the
exclusive economic zone.
Our country is very powerful despite the fact that it is still a
developing country.]
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Our commitment to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica is evidenced by
the commissioning of the Sanae IV base in Antarctica in 1997 and the
new Marion Island and Prince Edward Island bases in 2011 by this
very government. These bases are serviced by our state-of-the-art
polar research and supply vessel, the SA Agulhas II, dedicated to
Miriam Makeba ... [Applause.] ... and commissioned by this
government in 2012. Our presence in the Southern Ocean and
Antarctica enables us to better understand, among others, the
process and impacts of climate change.
Ngiyathemba ukuthi umhlonishwa uMngxitama ungilalele kahle. [I hope
that the hon Mngxitama is listening very carefully.]
This is a huge achievement by this government.
Umthethosisekelo waleli zwe lethu uyagcizelela ukuthi kubalulekile
ukuthi siyihloniphe imvelo, ukuze thina nesizukulwane sethu sikwazi
ukuzuza inthuthuko ezimele, eqhubekayo nezinzile. (Translation of
isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Our Constitution puts some special emphasis on conserving our
natural resources so that we and our future generations can enjoy
economic development that is independent and sustainable.]
As far as the wildlife economy is concerned, we have more than
10 000 game farms across the country. The wildlife economy is
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currently valued at R8 billion and is growing at an annual rate of
20,3% in turnover. The wildlife industry attracts a large number of
international visitors each year and creates more than 100 000 jobs
across the country.
Nakhona la kule ngxenye yomnotho abantu bethu basahambela kude,
kumele sibasondeze. [Even in this sector of the economy most of our
citizens are still not involved and it is our duty to make them
aware of it.]
Another interesting programme is the Working for Wetlands programme.
This programme was set up in the year 2000 to champion the
protection, rehabilitation and sustainable use of South Africa’s
wetlands through co-operative governance and partnership. This
programme has a strong involvement with civil society. It is labourintensive and contributes to skills development, which contributes
to the Expanded Public Works Programme.
Nakhona la ngiyacabanga ukuthi umhlonishwa uMngxitama ungilalele
ukuthi ngithini. [I hope the hon Mngxitama is still listening to me
carefully.]
There are about ... [Interjections.]
Mr J A MNGXITAMA: May I ask a question, Chair?
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The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Hon ...
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: There are about
14 EPWP ...
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Hon Deputy Minister,
please hold on. Hon Mngxitama, to uphold the decorum of this House,
you must stand up if you want to ask a question or put a point of
order.
Mr J A MNGXITAMA: May I ask a question, Chair? Will the speaker on
the floor be so kind as to allow me to ask a question?
IPHINI LIKANGQONGQOSHE WEZEMVELO: Hon Mgnxitama, anginaso ngempela
isikhathi sabantu abafana nawe. [Ubuwelewele.]
Mnu J A MNGXITAMA: Ngibuza ukuthi abantu bahola malini abasebenzela
umphakathi? (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[The DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Hon Mngxitama, I
really do not have any time for people like you. [Interjections.]
Mr J A MNGXITAMA: I want to know how much community workers are
paid.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order, hon Mngxitama!
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The DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Sengathi sinenkinga
la. [It seems like we have a problem here.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Hon member, you do not do
that. I am sorry, hon Deputy Minister. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Ukhuzwayo. [He needs
to be given warnings all the time.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Let me deal with this
one.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: There are ...
[Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Hon Mngxitama, you do not
behave like that in the House. When you have ...
Mr J A MNGXITAMA: [Inaudible.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Do not respond to me – I
am making a ruling. You do not use your microphone when you have not
been given an opportunity to do so. Thank you. Sorry, hon Deputy
Minister. Please continue.
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The DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Chair, there are about
14 programmes in the EPWP, including the Working for Water programme
which will ensure that over 750 000 ha of land are cleared of
invasive alien plants. The Working for Wetlands programme will
rehabilitate 115 wetlands across the country. The Working for Land
programme will ensure that over 30 000 ha of land are rehabilitated,
and the Working for the Coast programme will ensure that
conservation work is done along 2 113 km of the coastline.
All these programmes are among the most successful initiatives of
the government, as referred to by the President in his state of the
nation address. The returns on investment are extremely high, and
this also exemplifies the government’s commitment to sustainable
development. A budget of R2,83 billion has been allocated to these
EPWP-aligned programmes for this financial year.
Angikhumbuze abahlonishwa abakule Ndlu ukuthi balikhumbule usuku
olumenyezelwe nguMongameli la ehlabe khona ikhwelo wathi masihambe
siye ngasezindaweni zethu siyosusa imfucuza ezindaweni esihlala
kuzona nasemadolobheni ethu. Ngibonga kakhulu. [Ihlombe.]
(Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Let me remind all the hon members in this House that they must not
forget the special day announced by the President when he encouraged
us to go to our local communities and our towns to clean up. Thank
you very much. [Applause.]]
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Mme J M MALULEKE: Modulasetulo, ke kopa go simolola ka go amogela
mme wa rona e leng Modulasetulo wa bomme kwa Bokone Bophirima,
Motlatsammusakgotla wa Bokone Bophirima, eleng Mme Jane Manganyi.
[Legofi.]
Ba re ausi o siela ngwana letsele; ena o ntshietse Komiti ya
Tikologo. Ke itumelela go nna teng ga gago, mme. O se makale fa ke
bua ka Setswana, ke lapisitswe ke batho ba ba botsang gore a go na
le boMaluluke kwa Bokone Bophirima, ke ka fao ke tla tswelela ke bua
Setswana.
Rona batho ba ba ileng ba reetsa fa go opelwa sefela se se reng:
Kenang bohle sebaka se sa le teng. Re a itumela gonne re ne ra tsena
mo mokgathlong wa ANC, e bile gompieno re kgona go bona moputso wa
go ikamanya le mokgatlho ono.
Mme Tona, Tonakgolo o tlhola a re go na le borramaparego le
bommamaparego. Re ne re makala gore o raya jang, mme re a bona
gompieno gore o raya bomang; ba teng ebile go thata mo Ntlong e. Ba
re ga ba tshegetse Tekanyetsokabo e eleng ka ga matshelo a batho.
Rona re le ANC re tshegetsa Tekanyetsokabo e gore matshelo a batho a
tswelelepele. [Legofi.]
Dilo tse dintle ga di nke di bonwa ke batho. Ga ke batle go bua ka
tlhotlhomiso tse di dirwang kwa ntle ga naga, ke batla go bua ka
tlhotlhomiso e e dirilweng ke nna. Mo nakong e fetileng, re ne re
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rutiwa ka dithuto tsa bodumedi, re sa itse sepe ka tsa tikologo.
Gompieno fa ke apesa ngwana jeresi o kgona go mpotsa gore a ga ke a
bona maemo a bosa a bo a mpolelela gore kwa ntle go a fisa. Se, ke
se sengwe se se tlisitsweng ke puso ya ANC. Ke mosola o re o boneng
go tswa go ANC.
Motlotlegi Tona se sengwe gape ke gore, fa re ne re gola, re ne re
besa dikgong jaaka Maaforika, jaanong seo ga re tlhole re se dira
gonne o re rutile go tlhokomela tikologo ya rona. Ke kgale ke sa
bone le mosi kwa Mathibestad, seo se a itumedisa. (Translation of
Setswana paragraphs follows.)
[Ms J M MALULEKE: Chairperson, I would like to start by welcoming
the Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League in the North West
province, Deputy Speaker of the North West, Ms Jane Manganyi.
[Applause.]
They say an elder sister leaves being breastfed for the younger one;
she left me the Environmental Affairs committee. I appreciate your
presence, ma’am. Don’t be surprised when I speak Setswana, I’m tired
of people who like to ask if there are Malulekes in the North West
province, that is the reason why I continue speaking Setswana.
We are the people who listened when this hymn was sung: Kenang bohle
sebaka se sa le teng. We are happy because that’s when we joined the
ANC, and today we reap the rewards of being part of this party.
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Minister, our Premier likes to say that there are men and women who
are obstacles. We used to be surprised with this remark, but today
we can see who he was referring to; they do exist and it is tough in
this House. They say they don’t support this Budget Vote that is
about people’s lives. The ANC supports this Budget Vote so that
people’s lives can progress. [Applause.]
People never experience good things. I do not want to speak about
research that has been conducted in other countries, I want to speak
about the research that I conducted. In the past, we were taught
religious studies, we knew nothing about environmental studies.
Today when I dress a child in a jersey, he or she can ask me if I
did not see how the weather, is and even tell me that it is hot
outside. This is one the things brought about by the ANC government.
It is one of the good things we got from the ANC.
Hon Minister, when we were growing up, we as Africans used to make
fire with wood, but now it is something we no longer do because you
taught us to care for our environment. It has been a while since I
last saw smoke coming out of Mathibestad and that is pleasing.]
Chairperson, hon Minister and hon members, prior to 1994
environmental governance was an emerging discipline that was
selectively applied and highly fragmented in its application. The
right to a clean and healthy environment was not enshrined in the
Constitution, although it was selectively applied. The ANC-led
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government has come a long way, ensuring that the constitutionally
entrenched right to a clean environment is realised and protected.
Gompieno re kgona go bua ka tikologo, maloba re ne re sa itse gore
mewa e kgotlhelang loabi ke eng. Fa re ne re tla mo kopanong ya
komiti lwa ntlha le Mogenerala, o ne a mpotsa fa ke itse ka tsa
tikologo. Ka mo araba ka gore ke tshogile, bogolo fa Tona a ne a bua
ka mewa e kgotlhelang loabi.
Gompieno re a tlhaloganya gore ke eng se se neng se baka gore pula e
se ke ya na fa re lema kwa Mathibestad. Ka jalo re ikemiseditse go
ruta batho ba rona gore ba tlogele go fisa bojang, gore pula e kgone
go na. Se, ke patlisiso e rona re e dirileng fa re se na go utlwa ka
mewa e kgotlhelang loabi tse Tona a neng a bua ka tsone. A ke tsene
mo go se ke se romilweng ke ANC. (Translation of Setswana paragraphs
follows.)
[Today we are able to speak about the environment, but in the past
we did not know what was polluting the air. When we came to the
first committee meeting together with the General, he asked if I
knew anything about the environment. I responded that I was scared,
more especially when the Minister was speaking about air polluters.
Today we understand what makes it difficult for rain to pour down
when we plant at Mathibestad. Therefore we are determined to teach
our people to stop setting fire to the grass so that there can be
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rain. This is the investigation we did after we heard about the air
polluters that the Minister spoke about. Let me do what the ANC sent
me to do.]
The focus of my speech in this debate is in the context of a
response to measures put in place to mitigate the effects of climate
change in the country.
The danger posed by climate change to South Africa remains a cause
for concern to all of us. This is so, because our development as a
country hinges on the use of our natural resources. For us as a
country to survive, we need to develop a good relationship with our
environment, by using the least of what we have in a constructive
way.
It is in this spirit, then, that South Africa concluded a number of
agreements to reduce the damage that can be caused when there is no
co-ordinated approach by the entire world in adhering to prescribed
policies and principles, as well as resolutions that will help
reduce the danger.
Jaaka Maaforika, ga re a tshwanela go diega go diragatsa ditumelano
tseno. Fa re tsiboga ka bonako mabapi le ntlha e, re tla thusega mo
go lwantsheng malwetse a re nang le ona jaaka bolwetse jwa letlalo.
Re itse sentle gore fa go fisa thata, re kgona go tsenwa ke kankere
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ka ntlha ya mogote o o feteletseng. (Translation of Setswana
paragraph follows.)
[As Africans, we should not delay in implementing these agreements.
If we respond quickly to this issue, we will help ourselves in
fighting diseases such as skin disease. We know well that when it is
very hot we easily get infected with skin cancer due to the extreme
heat.]
Excessive rain leads to skin diseases such as skin rashes and skin
cancer, as well as stroke and malaria. There is a call for a coordinated response in order to minimise the impact of climate change
on the communities of the world.
In his address at the official opening of the United Nations
conference in Durban on the UN Climate Change Regime, Cop 17, hon
President Jacob Zuma said the following and I quote:
As we begin the high level segment, we need to rebuild trust and
to reassure one another of honest intent and commitment to find
solutions for the problems caused by climate change.
Furthermore, in December 2009 President Jacob Zuma announced that
South Africa would implement mitigation actions that would result in
a 34% and a 42% deviation below its “business as usual” emission
growth trajectory by 2020 and 2025, respectively. With financial
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technology and capacity building support, South Africa’s greenhouse
emissions will peak between 2020 and 2025.
The National Climate Change Response Policy embodies South Africa’s
commitment to a fair contribution to establishing our own greenhouse
concentration in the atmosphere and the protection of our country
and its people from the impact of inevitable climate change. South
Africa is committed to reducing carbon emissions to below its
anticipated emission growth trajectory. Preparatory work and
research to set emission reduction objectives and measure these
reductions in key sectors are under way.
In addition, South Africa is vulnerable to the impact of climate
change and it is therefore committed to strengthening its social and
economic resilience to the effects of climate change. We assure
South Africans that the process to curb this is under way and South
Africans do not have to worry about that.
Re tla go sala morago, Tona, re thusane go diragatsa gore Aforika
Borwa e nne tulo e e bolokegileng. [We will follow you, Minister, to
help one another in making South Africa a safe place.]
Rightfully, our President moved on the premise that acknowledges the
common threat faced by humanity as caused by the ever-changing
climatic conditions. It is time we reinforced our approach in
fighting the causal effects of this scourge.
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It is the sole responsibility of the department to make sure that we
conform to the resolutions adopted in Durban as a means of
responding to the need to reduce the global threat to the
environment. Accordingly, our budget needs to be responsive to the
implementation of the set of resolutions as per directive of the
Durban summit on the UN Climate Change Regime.
Ke lantlha ke dumela se DA e se buang. [For the first time I agree
with the DA.]
South Africa has in place strategies to address issues that have
been identified as priorities for dealing with climate change in
South Africa and, among others, we have the following: integration
of climate change response in government. This approach cuts across
government departments and they are thus required to work together
in a co-ordinated manner. This synergy ensures ...
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): You’ve got one minute,
hon member.
Ms J M MALULEKE: Ke timetse jaanong. [I am lost now.]
Regarding inventories of greenhouse gases and air pollutants,
through the initiatives of the department, as well as several
organisations, including local government and others, there has been
an undertaking to develop long-term projects that use modern
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technology to monitor air quality instrumentation. This clearly
indicates that there is a need for adequate funding for the
department in order to achieve this mammoth task. We are, however,
confident that the Minister’s track record and resilience will
assist the department in realising the objectives as skeletally
expressed in South Africa’s response to climate change.
The ANC supports the Budget Vote.
Dr B H HOLOMISA: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister and
hon members, the UDM supports Budget Vote No 30. [Applause.]
Qhwabani kakhulu apho ngaphesheya. [Keep on applauding on the
opposite side.]
I have limited speaking time and I will dedicate this speech to
Madiba, the environmentalist. In celebrating the first birthday of
Madiba since he is no longer here, we can’t but remember his
passionate love and care for nature and the environment, and its
relation to humankind and the people of South Africa in particular.
I am reminded of one of the questions this icon asked me directly
when he returned from one of his early village walks in Qunu during
the early 90s. He asked me, “Bantu, what happened to all the birds
that used to inhabit this place, with their harmonious sounds and
their beautiful singing, which made many enjoy the tranquillity and
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nature of the village?” In response to Madiba, I said that due to
the high levels of poverty in the area local people had been forced
to fell trees for use as wood fuel.
Certainly there is a direct relationship between poverty and the
environment and, unfortunately, it is not always a good one. The
concern in Madiba’s question exposed us to the need to give
immediate attention to the preservation of our environment. For
example, the afforestation programmes will one day make it possible
to have the pleasure of walking through a forest and listening to
the beautiful sounds of nature, as Madiba wished.
To realise his wish, the UDM suggests that as part of the much
talked about cultural liberation route, which it is proposed should
start at Pietermaritzburg, perhaps what should be considered is
establishing what could be called Madiba or Nelson Mandela forests.
Such forests would go a long way towards responding to the
challenges of climate change, biodiversity management, combating
desertification, heritage conservation, and facilitating sustainable
economic growth and job creation.
Given the current questionable infrastructure development map of our
country, this proposal would present an opportunity for equitable
reconstruction of our country.
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Finally, I have a word for the chairperson of the Portfolio
Committee on Environmental Affairs, Baba Mthembu: We welcome you to
this portfolio committee. Please make sure that City Press covers
your well-articulated speech this afternoon!
Ungayithethi ke laa nto yakho mhlekazi ithi: [Don’t say what you
used to say, sir:] “Don’t buy City Press! Don’t buy it.”
[Kwahlekwa.] Ndiyabulela. [Laughter.] Thank you.]
Ms J STEENKAMP: Chairperson, Theodore Roosevelt once said:
To waste, to destroy our natural resources, to skin and exhaust
the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness,
will result in undermining in the days of our children the very
prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified
and developed.
To ensure the future of our children’s children’s children, we need
to ensure that we protect and preserve our natural resources.
By 2030 South Africa’s transition to an environmentally sustainable,
climate change-resilient economy and just society should be well
under way, according to the NDP.
The current budget lacks any reflection of this. To ensure the
protection and preservation of our environment, we need funds to do
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more research, we need greater investment in the green economy, and
we need to allocate funds to continue with projects such as Working
on Fire. I am deeply concerned about budget cuts made, specifically
in regard to environmental programmes and chemical waste management.
Regarding environmental programmes, the emergence of small, medium
and micro enterprises in areas such as waste management contributes
to reducing unemployment, poverty and income inequality.
In committee a great deal of lip service is paid to fostering a
green economy, yet the budget was cut by almost R15 million. Why do
environmental protection and infrastructure programmes get a budget
cut of almost R75 million? What is the likely impact of these
reductions, both in the short term and over the long term? How will
the reduction in the Green Fund affect projects and help innovate
the critical transition to a greener economy?
Opportunities do exist for significant job creation in the recycling
sector. Through improved regulations and partnerships between
producers and municipalities, small businesses that focus on the
collection and recycling of discarded goods such as glass, paper and
cardboard can flourish. The current budget fails to take a pragmatic
approach to achieving the strategic objectives of improved
socioeconomic benefit in the environment sector.
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With regard to chemicals and waste management, the NDP states that a
revolution in social values is under way and that our culture of
conspicuous consumption is being supplanted by social and
environmental responsibility. But how, hon Minister, can we give
effect to this when this budget fails to create an enabling
environment which supports the need to recycle everything from ewaste to industrial waste? The only thing government seems to be
recycling is bad politicians!
How can we say municipalities need more help, but then we cut the
general waste and municipal support budget by almost R5 million? In
a developing world such as ours, where there are so many harmful
chemicals we use on a daily basis, why would we cut the budget for
chemical waste management by almost R1 million? What justifies these
reductions, and how can a budget cut take place when there are so
many capacity constraints specifically within local government?
Furthermore, why are the department’s seven branches not working
together harmoniously? Waste gets dumped at landfill sites. Very
little of that waste is recycled and then most of it is set alight,
causing massive pollution. How does that make sense? Why has the
department introduced regulations on air quality management, only to
allow air pollution from burning landfills?
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We welcome the results of these measurements. The poor air quality
results will no doubt correlate with the poor decisions which inform
this budget.
Why don’t we just start working together to create jobs? Why don’t
we incentivise recycling from the local level upwards? It doesn’t
help if we buy different dustbins and different plastic bags and
recycle in our homes, our businesses and even here, but when the
municipal waste collection trucks come to our houses or businesses,
they just chuck everything in there together, all deurmekaar [mixedup]! What is that? That is not recycling – definitely not!
Government must create a sustainable environment to recycle.
I will leave you with the following ancient American Indian proverb:
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from
our children.” [Applause.]
Mr T J BONHOMME: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister,
colleagues, friends and comrades, members of the audience, and
esteemed officials, I greet you.
Despite the many challenges facing the waste sector in South Africa,
it is heartening to note that the department has established an
enabling legislative framework to address and deal with them as well
as to promote a recycling economy which contributes to much needed
job creation in our country.
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The sector has definitely moved away from the conventional end-ofpipe pollution control system by adopting full cycle accounting,
based on the waste hierarchy approach of reduce, reuse, recycle and
waste diversion away from the landfill site. This has been further
reinforced through an integrated approach by the adoption of
integrated waste management plans for municipalities, ensuring that
local government prioritises waste management in their integrated
development plans.
It is heartening to note that a new regulatory environment has been
created, which will generate revenue and wealth from waste, which
will be used to fund and incentivise recycling industries, job
creation, and other economic opportunities and enterprises in the
waste sector. By apportioning an appropriate value to waste, more
waste can be diverted from landfill sites to recycling, reuse and
energy recovery, bringing us closer to achieving significantly less
waste dumped in landfill sites.
The fact that harmful chemicals are still being used in society has
always been a concern to me. It is pleasing to note that substantial
progress has been made in chemical safety and management through the
banning and phasing out of chemicals that harm the environment and
atmosphere, for example, ozone-depleting substances such as
hydrofluorocarbons.
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The department have undoubtedly taken up their responsibility as
good citizens in the international effort to phase out harmful
chemicals by implementing the provisions of several multilateral
environmental agreements that we have acceded to. The new
regulations phasing out these chemicals are a demonstration of our
commitment to the international community in the fight against
climate change, and to ensuring a safe society.
Training and awareness-raising will always be an area where
resources must be invested in building an environment-conscious
citizenry that will take responsibility for maintaining a clean
environment. I note that the department has been providing support
to municipalities in the development of guidelines and integrated
development plans, as well as in training councillors and officials.
Given the challenges at local government, this support will have to
be bolstered by additional resources to enable better waste
management at source.
The department must be applauded for the turnaround achieved in
licensing the unlicensed landfill sites across the country and for
bringing them into compliance. This will ensure that these waste
sites are better managed and controlled. The basic waste collection
rates have also increased over the years, which is pleasing to note.
Enforcement of bylaws and more vigilant compliance and monitoring at
local government level will certainly assist in keeping our cities
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and towns clean with the help of a more informed and more
responsible citizenship.
Overall the regulatory, institutional and economic reforms adopted
by the department for managing the waste sector are commendable.
Education in combating waste management problems starts right in
your home, with training your children to be conscious of the
protection of our environment and the challenges it is faced with.
This is the very same way in which a child is taught about nonracism
and equality. Teach a child from a young age and the teaching
remains with them for life. You will note that the way a child grows
up to be strict in his or her life depends on how they spend the
early years of their lives. If they are brought up in that manner,
they will grow up to be respectable, decent and honourable, with the
knowledge and understanding that the environment is vital to our
people.
There are key challenges, with the absence of large-scale recycling
infrastructure to enable waste separation, waste diversion,
recycling and recovery. Lack of policy and a regulatory framework to
promote the waste management hierarchy results in a limited economic
potential of the waste management sector, which has a possible
turnover of approximately R50 billion per annum, and outdated waste
management infrastructure with declining levels of capital
investment and maintenance.
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Overall the portfolio committee was well pleased with the effort
that the department put into formulating its strategic plan, the
annual performance plan, the indicators and the relevant performance
targets for the 2014-15 financial year. The committee considered
them realistic and achievable, despite budgetary constraints.
The committee is also acutely aware of the capability of the
department to use the allocations made to it to fully implement its
strategic plan and annual performance plan, and to attain the
indicators and targets that it has set itself, as clearly shown by
the department’s ability to spend about 99% of its budget in
successive financial years.
All this was done in line with the 2012 Polokwane declaration on
waste management. The ANC is committed to ensuring that our people
have a better life in a clean and safe environment.
I must say I have found that the committee to which I have been
allocated, the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, is very
pleasing, satisfying and enriching. I think all the colleagues on it
are working well as a team. This committee is going to do well in
the interests of South Africa and in bettering the lives of all our
people. Thank you. [Applause.]
Ms T STANDER: Good afternoon, Chairperson, hon Minister, hon
members, director-general and your team, and ladies and gentlemen. I
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would like to quote from the film, Transformers: Revenge of the
Fallen:
Fate rarely calls upon us at a time of our choosing.
The budget prioritises South Africa’s many needs within the
constraints of limited resources. This is obvious. What is not
obvious is why our environment is continuously underprioritised by
this government. President Zuma said the word “environment” exactly
once in his state of the nation address, hon Mthembu, and in
reference to a different Ministry.
Our natural infrastructure is the infrastructure upon which our
country is built, yet this department is plagued by political
doublespeak: talk versus budget.
We welcome Cabinet-approved budget cuts on subsistence and travel,
but not the Minister’s violation of this by sending a delegation of
18 to Nairobi. Our parliamentary Questions in this regard still
remain unanswered.
We encourage all efforts to implement measures to redress the
imbalances of the past, and so we are disappointed that negligent
political oversight allowed 20 years to pass before general workers
in SANParks were included in the medical aid policy, costing the
department R155 million this year.
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Enforcement and compliance are essential responsibilities, but
budget cuts have reduced the department’s already low strategic
target for environmental authorisation inspections from 135 to 115.
A budget to increase the capacity of the department responsible for
considering environmental impact assessments is needed. The DA
always advocates for lean government administration, but employing
and training more people would reduce opportunities for corruption
and speed up business development, the perfect enabling environment
for job creation.
We call upon the hon Molewa to take her rightful place as the
competent authority for mining licences. As a custodian of the
environment, it is baffling how she can be junior to the Minister
responsible for mining on issues directly affecting the environment.
During and out of committee I have interacted with many of the
department’s team, and I am encouraged by their competence and
genuine commitment to this cause. However, I am not confident that
this budget gives them the resources they need to fully deliver on
their mandate.
We need to adopt a coherent macro spatial planning approach that
considers the carrying capacity of land and clusters of land use. We
also need to move toward implementing a natural accounting
system. Both strategies would improve environmental planning, guide
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business planning, and lay a foundation for the transition to a
green economy and greener jobs.
We believe that this department has had great success. An example of
this is the Working on Fire programme, and we greet those
representatives in the gallery today, but more must be done.
Hon Minister, despite the genuine concerns and the efforts to end
the slaughter of our rhino and the poaching of their horn, we are
losing the war. Moreover, despite hundreds of millions of rands
contributed by South Africans, another thousand rhino will be slain
this year. The pro- versus anti-trade debate is polarising this
country and detracting from what should be our main focus: saving
the rhino. It is illegal to trade in rhino horn – qha! [that’s
it!] No matter what proposals are made for the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species in 2016, these do not
release us from our responsibility for taking radical action now.
We need to communicate an unambiguous position that South Africa
will not tolerate a tacit invasion - a quiet war on our natural
resources. Are we not a sovereign, democratic nation founded on the
supremacy of the rule of law? Are we not proud of what we have? Or,
instead, are we happy to see foreign syndicates overpower our
Defence Force, our game rangers and our police? Diplomacy is
important, but there is no place for timid acquiescence now.
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The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure,
Natjoints, is ineffective. It either needs an overhaul, or should be
replaced with a more effective structure. We have to share
intelligence, formulate a single strategy, and co-ordinate the
efforts of all stakeholders if we are going to win the war for the
natural kingdom.
The gap between the number of arrests and the number of convictions
is too wide and, worryingly, supports suggestions that corruption is
at play. We call on the department to take a zero tolerance approach
to poaching, and for minimum sentences to be increased to 10 years
for level 1 poachers.
We call for more funding to stop the carnage. R100 million, as
mentioned today, is less than the single international donation
received last year, hon Minister. Private owners are spending about
R200 million per year of their own money and risking their lives for
these animals daily. We are in a state of war, hon Minister, and we
are losing because your department is failing to make a real,
tangible difference.
In 2010, despite all the naysayers, we successfully pulled off the
Soccer World Cup event – because we had a united message, the
resources and the political will. We need to do that again, but this
time with a focus on our rhino. Get that right and we can tackle the
rest of wildlife crime.
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We need our President, hon Ministers and, indeed, all South Africans
to say with one voice: “Don’t touch me on my rhino!”
An HON MEMBER: Yes! [Applause.]
Ms T STANDER: Over 4 000 organisations globally are fundraising to
save the rhino, with only about 160 registered with the Department
of Social Development. We have no idea how much of this money is
actually spent on rhino-saving efforts. We ask that the department
publicish a list of registered organisations so that the public can
make informed choices when making donations.
Treasury needs to treasure our rhino and show us the money for the
departments to implement the recommendations above.
“Fate rarely calls upon us at a time of our choosing.” Will South
Africa be able to address this crisis before it is too late? Will we
conserve our shared heritage, our inheritance? These are questions
our choices of today will answer.
We call for a review of this budget during the medium-term budget
review. Ndiyabulela. [I thank you.]
Mr S P MABILO: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister,
hon members of the House and distinguished guests, as a point of
emphasis, the right of all South Africans –
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(a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing; and
(b) to have the (natural) environment protected, for the benefit
of present and future generations ... –
is enshrined in section 24 of our Constitution.
It is also the mission of this department to provide leadership in
environmental management, conservation and protection, with the aim
of sustainability for the benefit of all South Africans and the
global community. It is our considered view that the department is
equal to this task, as shown through their master plan and also
their strategic plan.
The oceans and coasts of our country remain a national asset that
belongs to all South Africans. Oceans and coasts throughout the
world have historically been among the most heavily exploited areas
because of their rich resources. In coastal countries today, an
estimated half of the total population live in the coastal zones,
and it is therefore very important that we take note of this asset
of the oceans and coasts.
During the time of the apartheid regime, ocean and coast management
efforts did not recognise the value of coastal ecosystems as a
cornerstone for development. This management was also resource-
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centred rather than people-centred and attempted to control coastal
resources rather than promote their sustainable use, with a lack of
recognition of the diversity of our coasts.
During the dawn of democracy in our country we saw the emergence of
the White Paper for Sustainable Coastal Development in South Africa
in the year 2000. The purpose of this paper was to promote an
integrated approach to the management of our coast and redress the
fragmented and unco-ordinated manner in which our marine and coastal
environment had been managed, which benefitted only a few
privileged. This White Paper gave birth to the National
Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, which
was promulgated in 2008 and which has assisted this government to
move away from a fragmented to a co-ordinated and integrated
approach to coastal management.
As our country was being welcomed into the global family we had to
adhere to global approaches, like the 1992 Rio Earth Summit
programme of action, called Agenda 21, which emphasised the
integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas,
and urged governments to develop policies that enabled stakeholder
involvement. This approach was echoed by the 2002 World Summit on
Sustainable Development, which took place in Johannesburg. It called
for countries to promote an integrated, multidisciplinary and
multisectoral approach to coastal and ocean management at a national
level.
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Marine protected areas in our country, including the offshore Prince
Edward Island, also go a long way in sustainable development. We
must remember that the marine protected areas have to promote and
conserve the marine environment and marine biodiversity by providing
a sanctuary for species, and against the impact of fishing
exploration.
It is clear that as a country we have now begun to realise and
understand the economic value of our ocean and coastal areas. Last
year the Department of Environmental Affairs co-ordinated a study to
analyse the economic potential of South Africa’s oceans. This work
demonstrated that the economic potential of South Africa’s marine
resources could be optimised further. Overall, South Africa’s oceans
could generate an estimated GDP contribution of up to R177 billion
by the year 2033 through government interventions to unlock the
value of certain sectors in the oceans and coastal sphere.
During the state of the nation address the President of our
Republic, President Jacob Zuma, announced Operation Phakisa, which
the Minister referred to. This operation is the government’s
intervention to come up with implementable plans to unlock the
economic potential of the ocean and coastal sector. The President of
the Republic, as also mentioned by the Minister, will officially
launch Operation Phakisa on Saturday, 19 July, which is this coming
Saturday.
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An HON MEMBER: Invite them.
Mr S P MABILO: You are all invited. [Laughter.] The number of jobs
linked to the ocean economy could rise to one million, more than
double the level in 2010.
Today South Africa is one of the emerging world powers in Brics.
These emerging world powers are at different places in their
relationship with their oceans and coasts. In the light of this, the
main maritime benefits for South Africa from its partnership with
Brics countries are obvious. It will benefit from an older and
developed marine economy across the South Atlantic Ocean in Brazil;
another one across the Indian Ocean in India; a substantial and
highly sophisticated polar marine industry in Russia; and a
relatively new but fast-growing and public-sector driven maritime
economy in China. So, we are properly located in Brics.
Hon members, this ocean economy is underpinned by the White Paper on
National Environmental Management of the Ocean, which was approved
by the Cabinet last December. The principles enshrined in this ocean
economy policy are from the National Development Plan, which
encourages the valuing of our oceans for the benefit of all our
people.
Furthermore, with regard to the blue economy, our region is now
emerging as an oil and gas hub, given the massive gas finds along
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Africa’s Indian Ocean coast. The Atlantic seabed has long been a
vital supply of these hydrocarbons. It is only in this way that we
can build our ocean-dependent, trade-based economies into engines
for growth and development in order to eliminate poverty,
unemployment and inequality.
In conclusion, before I sit down, I want to give two free lectures.
The first is to the hon Mngxitama. No amount of hot air, cheap
political shots or sloganeering will address the fundamental
challenges that we are confronted with as a country with regard to
the protection of the environment. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
Secondly, we say this to the hon Steenkamp. We don’t need your cheap
lectures in relation to the task and the far-fetched solutions that
you are suggesting. What we are saying is that as a government we
are equal to the task and to ensuring matters for the future. I say
to her: Let us give you a clear directive, that the protection of
the environment for future generations is a collective
responsibility ... [Interjections.] ... and that you cannot play
party politics with it. We are saying that this government is
offering pragmatic, realistic and objective solutions to the current
challenges. [Interjections.]
As the ANC, we support this Budget Vote. Thank you very much.
[Applause.]
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The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Hon Chair, I would like to
start by expressing my appreciation for all inputs made by hon
members in the debate.
Earlier on I forgot to welcome our former chairperson and the
present Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature;
they were both members of this portfolio committee. I want to
suggest that one day they should be brought in here just to provide
a bit of an education to some of our hon members on the other side.
[Laughter.]
I am saying this because I don’t know what to respond to, especially
as regards the hon member from the EFF. I have written here, “I
don’t know”, because I honestly don’t know what he was saying.
[Interjections.]
As for hon Steenkamp, I think you have a long way to go, even though
there is potential, ma’am. You have a long way to go in regard to
understanding the kinds of things that we are talking about.
[Interjections.] I have only three minutes in which to respond, so
please sit down. [Interjections.]
Let me respond to the very positive inputs made by some members. Hon
Holomisa, your suggestion about Madiba is most welcome indeed, and I
think we will have to work together on that. There is a thought
about the legacy of Madiba regarding the heritage issue – a world
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heritage site or even a national heritage site. So, we can work on
those issues and include them there.
I now come to the issues raised by hon Singh. There is an issue that
we are already working on which needs intervention, and that is the
declassification of waste; so, we will have to revert to you in
relation to that. With regard to the DNA sampling, certainly there
is a lot happening. I want to indicate, as I have already said in my
speech, that there is a lot of work that is beginning to be done in
respect of Vietnam and China, particularly in Hong Kong. By the way,
a consignment was found there by the authorities, and they have
alerted us in South Africa. So, great work is being done there.
Why did I say there is still a long way to go for hon Steenkamp in
regard to the issues that she raised? It is because it took quite a
while for those of us who were not acquainted with the portfolio of
the Department of Environmental Affairs to understand a lot of the
work that is being done in curbing rhino poaching. I have now learnt
a lot, so I have a lot to teach to you and those on that side.
It is indeed necessary that when we as South Africans stand up to
speak, we must remember that there is a lot that is happening and we
must contribute to what government is doing. Government is putting a
lot of effort into this; we haven’t spoken here today about even a
quarter of what government is doing. It is important to realise
that.
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Yes, we have a proposal that we will submit to that corps. It will
be well researched, as I said, and it will be well thought through.
There will be consultation and there will certainly be contributions
from South Africans, as there always have been. There will be those
who say, “We think this is what you should do,” and we will listen.
But we will find it difficult to listen to those who say, “You are
not doing this and that, but you are doing that and this.” That is a
problem. So let us learn to handle this.
On the issue of the recycling economy, I think many members from the
ANC made good contributions; we welcome and appreciate their inputs.
The issues we are dealing with are environmental matters that
started to become more important in 1994 only - chairperson, you
were so right.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report
does state that South Africa has indeed moved a long way. By the
way, there are hon members from the other side who, from their
inheritance and movement away from their original parties, have come
from a background of not doing anything about these issues, so we
have made strides.
The OECD report also points out the kind of things that you are
saying. Our task is to be focused and move forward. Ours is to
ensure, and I agree with you, that the environmental impact
assessments that are being done must enable development. I said this
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is the reason why we actually integrated the systems to make a
coherent system - read about it again - to ensure that mining
authorisations are done now under the National Environmental
Management Act and no longer under the Environmental Management
Programme Report. So, we are moving in that direction and it is of
our own accord; we were not taught by the DA to do the things that
we are doing.
With regard to the Eskom emissions issue, we stated, hon member of
the DA, that there is a greenhouse gas inventory that we drew up,
together with South Africans, in order to understand the amounts of
the gases that there are out there. Right now, even as we say we are
facing not so good a picture, it is still not beyond what we have
actually calculated it to be at this point in time, given our
mitigation scenario. We are not so worried because we know that,
given the actions that we said we would take in respect of
allocations for the desired emission reduction outcomes, the
industries allocated will take action. Indeed, we are certain that
there will be a reduction at least by 2020.
Thank you very much for supporting the Budget Vote. [Time expired.]
[Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The Committee rose at 16:12.