Date: 04/08/2010
Source: The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
Title: SA: Mabudafhasi: Address by the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, at the launch of Adopt a River Project, Limpopo

Programme Director
Premier: Mr Cassel Mathale
MECs present
Executive mayors
Mayors and councillors
Chiefs
Traditional Leaders
Distinguished guests
Provincial and national officials
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed a great honour for me to be here today, to launch the Luvuvhu Adopt a River Project during Women's month. During budget vote speech in April this year we announced that one of our key priorities is protection of our water resources. Our rivers are highly polluted, they are dumping areas for all types of waste, health of our rivers has deteriorated and ecosystems are affected.
Water is a catalyst to development, If we don't act NOW and address the challenges will not achieve our socio-economic development plans. Hence the launch of Adopt-a-River project which is one of our intervention projects aimed at creating awareness to all citizens about the need and importance of protecting our water resources.
Through this project job and training opportunities for women will be created, communities will be empowered with knowledge and skills that will enable them to participate actively in water resource management and make informed decisions and be water ambassadors.
R800,000 has been allocated for Luvuvhu Adopt a River Project, 100 women from the villages around Vhembe have been identified to clean the Luvuvhu River for a period of 12 months. These women will be afforded a stipend on a monthly basis and will also be trained on water resource management.
We decided to hold this event in August to acknowledge the women who always work tirelessly for the development of their areas despite the challenges. I gama Lamakhosikazi Malibongwe! "Without women there is no Life".
The success of this project depends on active participation and commitment of provincial and local government and communities, hence today the three spheres of government will sign the pledge as a commitment to own the Adopt a River Project, "Working together we will save our water resources "
As part of our public awareness and education programme we brought the Blue Bus where you will find useful information about Water Conservation and Environment. I therefore urge all of you present here today to visit it.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the Premier, Chiefs, Mayors and everyone for joining me in this event today.
I also want to acknowledge the presence of the old ladies' soccer team "Vakhegula Vakhegula", which recently won a tournament for old ladies overseas.
Lastly, I want to thank the organisers of this event and the officials from all spheres of government for the sterling work you are doing ensuring that as government we are not going to rest until our scares water resources are protected.
Thank you