Date: 23/02/2004
Source: Department of Education
Title: M Mangena: Mosala Educational and Environmental Awareness campaign
ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF EDUCATION, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE MOSALA EDUCATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN (MEACA) ALLANRIDGE, FREE STATE, 23 February 2004
Programme Director, Principal, District Director, Mr MB Monnane, Mrs NO Lechaba, School Management Developer, Mr SS Dlamini, Members of the School Governing Body present, Educators, Parents and Learners of Mosala Secondary School, Members of the Community, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Nothing is more important than the recognition of the fact that we have inherited all from the past; hence we must bequeath all to the future. Our environment determines the possibilities for our continued existence on this planet and it is our duty to preserve this generous inheritance. No one can dispute that the earth's environment, largely due to humanity's own greed and harmful behaviour, has changed substantially for the worse in the last fifty years. I have no doubt that it was in acknowledgment of this fact that spurred some members of this school and community to embark on the education and environmental awareness campaign we are celebrating today.
Campaigns such as this attest to the reality that when communities stand up to change their circumstances, the country is bound to experience a telling change. Our survival hinges upon individual and collective efforts by all of us. That is why every effort by a community to improve its lot needs to be commended and supported. Our struggle for liberation taught us a number of important lessons that we would do well to apply in our current democratic dispensation to facilitate our development as a nation. One of those lessons is that communities need to participate actively and vigilantly in their own affairs. The Mosala Educational and Environmental Campaign is such an initiative. Hence it is one of those projects that are continuing the tradition of transforming our country for the better.
Our Constitution recognises the citizen's right to a healthy environment, and the right to have the environment protected against activities that are damaging or degrading. This makes all activities that can result in the fragmentation and destruction of habitats, loss of biodiversity, depletion of natural resources, pollution and waste punishable offences by the Constitutional Court.
There is a real need to increase our public awareness regarding environmental issues, and to align the thinking of our people with the rest of the world. As the most recent hosts of the World Summit for Sustainable Development, it is important that the resolutions that were taken in that conference filter down to all our communities. The major objectives of the summit were to establish international consensus on poverty eradication, achieve better management of natural resources and change production and consumption patterns. It is clear that in order to realise and sustain these objectives, empowerment of local communities is essential. Only sustained activities by communities such as Mosala Secondary School will make some of the objectives of the World Summit come to fruition. That is why we wholeheartedly support this initiative and express our heartfelt optimism for its continued existence and success. You have embarked on a path for securing a brighter future for the coming generations in this country.
The department's educational reforms include environmental education, which forms an important component of our revised curriculum. Environmental education is well covered in the General and Further Education and Training band. The Geography National Curriculum Statement for Grades 10 - 12, which will be implemented in 2006, goes a long way in addressing environmental issues. The curriculum statement defines the purpose for the study of Geography as the need "to understand human-environment interactions". Human actions modify the environment to varying levels. Likewise, the environment and availability of resources in regions and places shape human activities, lifestyles and well-being. The availability of water, for instance, provides opportunities for people to develop a region in a particular way. This aspect of Geography raises concerns about the nature of these interactions and the physical and human processes, which influence these interactions. In addition, it is concerned about how people depend on, adapt to, and modify environments, and gives consideration to the consequences of human actions.
For the nation to develop and implement effective programmes aimed at sustainable development, it has to have a good understanding of its social situation. The population in our country was 40,6 million in 1996, and it is growing at about 2% per year. If this trend persists, by the year 2035, there will be nearly 82 million people living in South Africa, who will be dependent on the same level of natural resources which are already under pressure to adequately meet the current demand. Roughly half these people live in towns and cities, and many live in informal and inadequate housing. In both rural and urban centres, many people do not have access to water supply and sanitation, electricity, and other services. The population is more mobile now than in the last century, and factors such as employment opportunities, land reform and restitution, and immigration from other countries, are causing the population in urban centres to grow rapidly.
Levels of poverty are highest amongst the Black population, reaching over 60%. National unemployment is very high, and it is highest among the Black population. Although reforms in the education system have resulted in all citizens having access to education, approximately 7,5 million people are still functionally illiterate. Illiteracy prevents people from accessing vital information concerning, among others, healthy lifestyles and the conservation of the environment. The spread of HIV and AIDS in our country needs to be contained. The Department of Education is contributing to the development and implementation of awareness and prevention programmes on HIV and AIDS. We need a healthy nation of productive human resources that is willing and capable of protecting our natural, social and economic environments for posterity.
The current poor condition of our environment should not make us lose hope. It should galvanise us into actions aimed at addressing the challenges facing us. More people means more demand for resources. Water as a source of life is one of the most crucial resources that need to be conserved. Already alternative sources of freshwater such as desalination of seawater and importing water from other countries are being investigated to meet this demand, but these alternatives are currently prohibitively expensive and may not be environmentally sustainable. Uncontrolled settlement development can also result in problems of pollution, health hazards, inadequate housing and service provision and crime. Natural resources in areas surrounding unplanned densely populated settlements generally exert greater pressure to the environment than those that are moderately or sparsely populated.
The impacts of poverty on the environment include deforestation from excessive collection of wood for fuel, soil degradation through intensive cultivation and neglect, and the exploitation of rare and endangered species to supplement incomes. Inability to adequately provide for the basic needs of the population leads to the collapse of the natural ecosystem and deterioration of the quality of life of the inhabitants. But through environmental education and community conservation programmes such as the Mosala Education and Environmental Campaign, we should be in a position not only to arrest environmental degradation, but also reverse some of the harm that has already been done.
A number of policies and laws aimed at alleviating pressures of social imbalances on natural resources and promoting sustainable development have been developed. Successful implementation of these initiatives depends on the human capacity and financial resources available to carry them out. Continued growth or stabilisation of the population will be a deciding factor on the success of these strategies. HIV and AIDS have a devastating effect on the development of the population. But even more unfortunately, the disease will have the greatest impact on the economically active section of the population, and is likely to reduce growth in GDP by 2% to 3% by 2010.
Failure to ensure optimal functioning of the ecosystem will only further reduce our capability to meet our national needs, as human development is dependent on environmental services and resources. For example, if vegetation and soil degradation continues, the ability of the land to support agricultural crops and livestock will be even further reduced, and food security will be threatened. We therefore have to ensure that habitat loss and fragmentation is stopped, that resources are not depleted or polluted, and that biodiversity is maintained, in order to ensure proper ecosystem functioning, and its ability to provide for the needs of the current and future human populations. This is what sustainable development means.
We therefore salute the contribution of Mosala Secondary School to sustainable development. The results of some of the environmental programmes that we develop now might not be realised immediately, but future generations will surely benefit through our efforts. As the Department we are keen to learn about the outcomes of this project, and derive lessons that would enhance the consciousness of our people about environmental challenges. Lessons and experiences that the learners go through, as a part of this campaign, will provide a solid foundation for lifelong learning for the recipients.
Finally, I would like to wish learners, educators and the community of Allanridge success in their campaign and their studies. Always remember that life is not a written book that you can pick and read; it is a journal waiting for you to fill its pages. Today's event is another journal entry that will surely reap rich benefits for future generations in this part of the world.
Kea leboga.
Issued by: Department of Education
23 February 2004
Source: Department of Education
Title: M Mangena: Mosala Educational and Environmental Awareness campaign
ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF EDUCATION, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE MOSALA EDUCATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN (MEACA) ALLANRIDGE, FREE STATE, 23 February 2004
Programme Director, Principal, District Director, Mr MB Monnane, Mrs NO Lechaba, School Management Developer, Mr SS Dlamini, Members of the School Governing Body present, Educators, Parents and Learners of Mosala Secondary School, Members of the Community, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Nothing is more important than the recognition of the fact that we have inherited all from the past; hence we must bequeath all to the future. Our environment determines the possibilities for our continued existence on this planet and it is our duty to preserve this generous inheritance. No one can dispute that the earth's environment, largely due to humanity's own greed and harmful behaviour, has changed substantially for the worse in the last fifty years. I have no doubt that it was in acknowledgment of this fact that spurred some members of this school and community to embark on the education and environmental awareness campaign we are celebrating today.
Campaigns such as this attest to the reality that when communities stand up to change their circumstances, the country is bound to experience a telling change. Our survival hinges upon individual and collective efforts by all of us. That is why every effort by a community to improve its lot needs to be commended and supported. Our struggle for liberation taught us a number of important lessons that we would do well to apply in our current democratic dispensation to facilitate our development as a nation. One of those lessons is that communities need to participate actively and vigilantly in their own affairs. The Mosala Educational and Environmental Campaign is such an initiative. Hence it is one of those projects that are continuing the tradition of transforming our country for the better.
Our Constitution recognises the citizen's right to a healthy environment, and the right to have the environment protected against activities that are damaging or degrading. This makes all activities that can result in the fragmentation and destruction of habitats, loss of biodiversity, depletion of natural resources, pollution and waste punishable offences by the Constitutional Court.
There is a real need to increase our public awareness regarding environmental issues, and to align the thinking of our people with the rest of the world. As the most recent hosts of the World Summit for Sustainable Development, it is important that the resolutions that were taken in that conference filter down to all our communities. The major objectives of the summit were to establish international consensus on poverty eradication, achieve better management of natural resources and change production and consumption patterns. It is clear that in order to realise and sustain these objectives, empowerment of local communities is essential. Only sustained activities by communities such as Mosala Secondary School will make some of the objectives of the World Summit come to fruition. That is why we wholeheartedly support this initiative and express our heartfelt optimism for its continued existence and success. You have embarked on a path for securing a brighter future for the coming generations in this country.
The department's educational reforms include environmental education, which forms an important component of our revised curriculum. Environmental education is well covered in the General and Further Education and Training band. The Geography National Curriculum Statement for Grades 10 - 12, which will be implemented in 2006, goes a long way in addressing environmental issues. The curriculum statement defines the purpose for the study of Geography as the need "to understand human-environment interactions". Human actions modify the environment to varying levels. Likewise, the environment and availability of resources in regions and places shape human activities, lifestyles and well-being. The availability of water, for instance, provides opportunities for people to develop a region in a particular way. This aspect of Geography raises concerns about the nature of these interactions and the physical and human processes, which influence these interactions. In addition, it is concerned about how people depend on, adapt to, and modify environments, and gives consideration to the consequences of human actions.
For the nation to develop and implement effective programmes aimed at sustainable development, it has to have a good understanding of its social situation. The population in our country was 40,6 million in 1996, and it is growing at about 2% per year. If this trend persists, by the year 2035, there will be nearly 82 million people living in South Africa, who will be dependent on the same level of natural resources which are already under pressure to adequately meet the current demand. Roughly half these people live in towns and cities, and many live in informal and inadequate housing. In both rural and urban centres, many people do not have access to water supply and sanitation, electricity, and other services. The population is more mobile now than in the last century, and factors such as employment opportunities, land reform and restitution, and immigration from other countries, are causing the population in urban centres to grow rapidly.
Levels of poverty are highest amongst the Black population, reaching over 60%. National unemployment is very high, and it is highest among the Black population. Although reforms in the education system have resulted in all citizens having access to education, approximately 7,5 million people are still functionally illiterate. Illiteracy prevents people from accessing vital information concerning, among others, healthy lifestyles and the conservation of the environment. The spread of HIV and AIDS in our country needs to be contained. The Department of Education is contributing to the development and implementation of awareness and prevention programmes on HIV and AIDS. We need a healthy nation of productive human resources that is willing and capable of protecting our natural, social and economic environments for posterity.
The current poor condition of our environment should not make us lose hope. It should galvanise us into actions aimed at addressing the challenges facing us. More people means more demand for resources. Water as a source of life is one of the most crucial resources that need to be conserved. Already alternative sources of freshwater such as desalination of seawater and importing water from other countries are being investigated to meet this demand, but these alternatives are currently prohibitively expensive and may not be environmentally sustainable. Uncontrolled settlement development can also result in problems of pollution, health hazards, inadequate housing and service provision and crime. Natural resources in areas surrounding unplanned densely populated settlements generally exert greater pressure to the environment than those that are moderately or sparsely populated.
The impacts of poverty on the environment include deforestation from excessive collection of wood for fuel, soil degradation through intensive cultivation and neglect, and the exploitation of rare and endangered species to supplement incomes. Inability to adequately provide for the basic needs of the population leads to the collapse of the natural ecosystem and deterioration of the quality of life of the inhabitants. But through environmental education and community conservation programmes such as the Mosala Education and Environmental Campaign, we should be in a position not only to arrest environmental degradation, but also reverse some of the harm that has already been done.
A number of policies and laws aimed at alleviating pressures of social imbalances on natural resources and promoting sustainable development have been developed. Successful implementation of these initiatives depends on the human capacity and financial resources available to carry them out. Continued growth or stabilisation of the population will be a deciding factor on the success of these strategies. HIV and AIDS have a devastating effect on the development of the population. But even more unfortunately, the disease will have the greatest impact on the economically active section of the population, and is likely to reduce growth in GDP by 2% to 3% by 2010.
Failure to ensure optimal functioning of the ecosystem will only further reduce our capability to meet our national needs, as human development is dependent on environmental services and resources. For example, if vegetation and soil degradation continues, the ability of the land to support agricultural crops and livestock will be even further reduced, and food security will be threatened. We therefore have to ensure that habitat loss and fragmentation is stopped, that resources are not depleted or polluted, and that biodiversity is maintained, in order to ensure proper ecosystem functioning, and its ability to provide for the needs of the current and future human populations. This is what sustainable development means.
We therefore salute the contribution of Mosala Secondary School to sustainable development. The results of some of the environmental programmes that we develop now might not be realised immediately, but future generations will surely benefit through our efforts. As the Department we are keen to learn about the outcomes of this project, and derive lessons that would enhance the consciousness of our people about environmental challenges. Lessons and experiences that the learners go through, as a part of this campaign, will provide a solid foundation for lifelong learning for the recipients.
Finally, I would like to wish learners, educators and the community of Allanridge success in their campaign and their studies. Always remember that life is not a written book that you can pick and read; it is a journal waiting for you to fill its pages. Today's event is another journal entry that will surely reap rich benefits for future generations in this part of the world.
Kea leboga.
Issued by: Department of Education
23 February 2004
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