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Date : 14/04/2005
Source: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Title: van Schalkwyk: Environment Dept Budget Vote debate, NCOP


Speech during National Council of Provinces Policy Debate on Budget Vote 27: Environmental Affairs & Tourism, by Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism

Intensified Delivery through Action

DEAT Sustaining Freedom

Introduction

It was environmentalist Richard St Barbe Baker known in Kenya as Baba Wya Miti (the Father of the Trees) - who said that our generation may either be the last to exist, or the first to have the vision, the daring and the greatness to play no part in destroying our world.

As we examine the achievements and advancements of our first ten years of freedom, and celebrate fifty years of the Freedom Charter, we must closely consider the question of our shared future, and how best to ensure that the legacy of our democracy and development is not one of irreparable harm to our natural environment.

The most pertinent question in 2005 is not what has been achieved but rather what are the conditions we must create to sustain and extend our freedoms in the Second Decade? Our Department aims to answer this question through action bringing together the interests of people and the environment.

R385 million to create 12 000 new Job Opportunities in 2005

Chairperson, although the Budget Debate in the National Assembly last Wednesday was both positive and constructive there was one Member who chose to question the value and importance of our Departments poverty relief efforts, saying that we remain too focused on job creation and empowerment. Allow me to say that we will never apologise for creating jobs, and we will never falter in our efforts to use conservation and tourism to lift people and communities out of the wilderness of the Second Economy.

I would very much like for such people to leave behind their comfortable desks and journey to the real South Africa, to meet real South Africans facing the realities of life. I would like for them to meet amazing individuals like Rosinah Moagi from Section MM in Soshanguve. Unmarried she supports her own child and six adopted children as a contractor at the Dinokeng wetland rehabilitation project. With only Grade 11 behind her she now employs 11 other people, have built a house for her family, and is a hero in her community.

I would like for them to meet people like Pilot Malele from Casteel in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in Limpopo. Mr Malele is a contractor in our Save the Sand project, employs 12 other people, and has also built a house, bought a car, and is now able to pay for the school supplies to give his children a brighter future. I would like those who argue against our poverty relief programmes to tell these people why they should not directly benefit from the work of our Department and this Government.

I am very pleased to announce that far from taking the advice of such people, we will be intensifying our participation this year in the Expanded Public Works Programme. In addition to the R370 million spent last year we will spend another R385 million in 2005/6 on our poverty relief and social responsibility projects. In doing so, we aim to create more than 1,38 million temporary job days, 12 000 job opportunities, 120000 training days, and more than 300 permanent new jobs. These employment opportunities will, at the same time, directly promote and benefit our environment. This is the power of delivery and the true embodiment of democratic freedom.

Fresh-Air Izimbizo Series for 2005

Voorsitter, die inwerkingtreding van die Luggehalte Wet (Skoonlug Wet), moet uitstaan as een van die belangrikste omgewings-mylpale van hierdie Parlement sedert 1994. Vir die eerste keer in ons geskiedenis het Suid-Afrika die wetenskaplike basis in plek vir die daarstelling van minimum luggehalte-standaarde en vir die vervolging van diegene, regoor Suid-Afrika, wat voordurend die longe van ons families besoedel.

(Chairperson, the passage into law earlier this year of the Air Quality Act, stands as one of the most important environmental achievements of this Parliament since 1994. For the first time in our history South Africa has in place the basis for scientifically setting minimum air quality standards and for punishing those who continue to pollute the lungs of our families across the country.)

As the Honourable Members are aware, the next important challenge is to create the capacity at provincial and local level to implement and enforce these new standards. Another challenge is to create awareness and understanding about the new laws in local communities. I am therefore pleased to announce that our Department will this year be launching a new series of community Fresh-Air Izimbizo. Starting in National Environment Week in June, we will travel to the communities across South Africa that are worst-affected by air pollution. We will, with our provincial and local colleagues, meet with communities to hear their specific air quality concerns, priorities and suggestions. We will be guided by them and will share with them our plans for local implementation. I would like today to extend an invitation to Members to join us at these events in their respective constituency areas.

Cracking down on illegal developments

Chairperson, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process remains government’s most important tool for ensuring that development is environmentally sustainable. Although government has been streamlining and fine-tuning this tool to increase its efficiency and effectiveness, environmental sustainability is being undermined by developments that have not been properly assessed and authorised. Since 7 January this year, these developments are officially illegal, and their developers may face fines of up to R5 million, but in the interest of compliance promotion we have , together with the provinces, provided a 6 month window-period for these illegal developments to make application, without fear of prosecution, and to come into compliance. However, should this opportunity not be taken, we will crack down on illegal developments negatively impacting the environment with the full force of the law.

Green Scorpions Unleashed

Cutting-edge laws and standards mean little however without the muscle to enforce them. Chairperson, South Africa is about to take a major stride forward in protecting and enforcing the necessary conditions for freedom in our communities. The National Environmental Management Act, anticipated to come into force within weeks, empowers us to designate officials in all spheres of government as Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs). In other words Chairperson, the Green Scorpions are about to be unleashed on polluters, poachers, illegal developers and all other environmental criminals.

I would like to take a moment to recognise the presence in the gallery today of a group of very special individuals. Allow me to introduce to you the first Green Scorpions. These men and women will be designated with a range of enforcement powers from routine inspections, to powers of search and seizure, establishing roadblocks and the power to arrest suspects. They will also be given the power to issue formal notices to individuals or corporations breaking our environmental laws or not complying with the terms of their licenses. Failure to comply will bring severe criminal consequences.

From our Department, SANParks, all provincial environment departments, provincial parks boards, and municipalities, the Green Scorpions will be everywhere. What makes the Green Scorpions so effective is that, for the first time, environmental enforcers will be part of a national network including park rangers, conservation and air quality officers, marine and coastal enforcement officials, pollution and waste enforcement officers and officials monitoring urban developments. I would like to thank our provincial and local authorities for the enthusiasm and support that they have already given to this important enforcement partnership.

Not only will our EMIs cooperate closely with other enforcement bodies like the SAPS, NIA, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and the Scorpions, we are also working in partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency and the UK Environment Agency to develop an intensive training course. This will focus on environmental law, human rights, investigation and evidence-gathering, as well as effective legal skills.

Targeting Increased Investment in Tourism Infrastructure

Chairperson, the freedoms guaranteed to our people by the Constitution and the legacy of the Freedom Charter, mean little unless there is economic growth and job creation. Tourism may well be the silver-bullet for poverty but only if we can grow the industry sustainably, spread the benefits to all provinces, and expand ownership into all communities. This is one of the reasons why our BEE Scorecard for tourism is so important, and will officially be launched at Indaba this year.

Ukhenketho lolomntu wonke woMzantsi-Afrika oMnyama, oMhlophe, abeBala nama-Indiya, abasetyhini nababhinqileyo. Kufuneka sivulele ukhenketho kubo bonke abemi boMzantsi-Afrika. (Tourism belongs to all South Africans, black, white, coloured and Indian, men and women. We must open up tourism to all South Africans.)

I am very pleased therefore to announce that the official international tourist arrival figures for 2004 are in fact higher than we had expected. Members may recall that we anticipated growth of about 2% - in fact our total international arrivals grew by 2,7% last year. Although our European arrivals did drop back by 2,4%, arrivals from North America were up by 10,4%, from Central and South America by more than 12%, from Australasia by 4,4%, from Asia by 3,1% and from other African nations by 4,2%. For a year in which our currency outperformed the Dollar, the Euro and the Pound, as well as seeing slower economic recovery in our major markets, this performance is noteworthy especially without the benefit of hosting any major global events. It is not, however, outstanding. In 2004 the global tourism industry grew by 10% reaching a total of 760 million arrivals worldwide for the first time ever. Africa, as a whole, saw arrivals grow by 7%. Even working off of a strong growth base, we clearly have our work cut out for us to take maximum advantage of this international growth and I outlined some of our strategies to do so last week.

2005 will see our Department focusing strongly on the development of tourism infrastructure in all nine provinces. We aim to increase the levels of both public and private sector investment in such infrastructure by 5% this year, and have just completed, with the DTI and provinces, a national investment framework to guide provincial authorities on how to attract foreign investment into the tourism sector. We have also prioritised outward investment missions to target key international markets, with 19 tourism nodes or Priority Areas for Tourism Infrastructure Investment (PATIIs) identified.

Last month we completed the second phase of our Global Competitiveness Study, aimed at developing a customer-driven approach to product development. Three areas were initially selected as pilot projects the Wild Coast, Greater Durban and Pietermaritzburg, and the Drakensburg. I am pleased to announce that we have now expanded the study to include 6 new areas Port Elizabeth and its surroundings; Pilansburg, Madikwe and Mafikeng; Central Limpopo; Panorama; St. Lucia and Maputoland; and Zululand.

Our 4th National Tourism Conference will be held in October in the North West province, and, in partnership with SA Tourism and our provincial partners, we will tomorrow be launching the third phase of our domestic tourism marketing campaigns Shot left 3. Representing more than 3 times the investment made in 2004, this campaign will aim to further unlock the R47 billion domestic tourism market.

Expanding Ownership of the Hunting Industry & Regulating Inland 4x4 Driving

Chairperson, in addressing the protection and expansion of freedoms it is sometimes necessary for Government to create regulations that drive change. The issue of industry regulation came up in the National Assembly in the context of our concerns about Environmental Impact Assessment Practitioners. Two other sectors that need to move more rapidly towards better-regulated and more equitable practices are the hunting industry and the owners and users of inland 4x4 recreational driving tracks. Our Department will this year engage with hunters to thoroughly analyse the sector, especially in terms of ownership, management, and skills development. Amongst the possible options that may need to be considered are a code of conduct and a BEE scorecard for the hunting industry, and this will form the basis of our discussions in 2005. We will also move to fulfil our undertaking to structure more regular interactions between hunters and our Department.

There are also some irresponsible 4x4 vehicle and track owners, whose activities continue to damage sensitive sections of our inland environment. We are pleased to see the recent announcement that a National Off-Road Workshop will be convened by the industry in October. A grading system for 4x4 tracks, including environmental grading, and the creation of a representative industry body would be positive steps. However regulations will still be required and if there are not concrete proposals forthcoming from the industry within the next six months government will have to issue these unilaterally although this would not be our first choice.

Conclusion

In conclusion Chairperson, I would like to thank my provincial colleagues for the support and energy that they have invested in our portfolio during the past ten months it has been a pleasure to work with MECs whose understanding is matched by their enthusiasm. To Rev. Moatshe and the other members of the Select Committee I would like to again express my own appreciation and that of our Department.

I have also been requested to convey to the House the greetings of our Deputy Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, who sincerely regrets not being able to participate in this debate today she is currently attending a very important international meeting in Dubai.

Last but not least I must again thank our Statutory Bodies, our Department under the leadership of Acting Director-General Pam Yako, and our Ministry for the hard work and dedication that has enabled the achievements of the past year.

What we debate today the budget policy for Environmental Affairs and Tourism is not only about wilderness and forests, mountains and rivers we are talking about people, their lives, and their freedoms. To answer the question of the necessary conditions to sustain and grow these freedoms our development today must meet the needs of our present, without destroying the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Enquiries: Rob Spaull
Cell: 083 777 8563
Issued by: Ministry for Environmental Affairs and Tourism
14 April 2005

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