Johannesburg, 2 August 1994
Mr Clewow,
Mr Von Essen,
Mr Byrne,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a privilege to be present today at the launch of the first Tidy Town project in South Africa. It is an historic event, not only because Keep SA Beautiful and the community leaders from Alexandra found common ground to improve living conditions of the inhabitants of this less-privileged community, but also because we can bring praise to the business sector who shouldered part of the responsibility to keep the town free of litter. The Government of National Unity is confronted with a wide range of economic, social and environmental issues. Progress in achieving sustainable economic development, while at the same time addressing a backlog of environmental issues, is of critical importance, not only for South Africa, but also to serve as a model for other countries in Southern Africa. To date environmental conservation has been relegated to a relatively low priority in South Africa, in comparison with other more urgent economic, political and human rights issues. More-over the term is often narrowly understood to include only the natural environment and the traditional wildlife protection activities.
Environmental conservation is not always seen as embracing the human environment and involving also a wide range of public health issues. However, both the natural and the human environments have experienced significant deterioration as a result of the politics of apartheid, poor environmental management in black areas and the isolation of industry within the international community. Add to this, the social and economic stress generated by decades of strife. Environmental conservation and protection in South Africa therefore mirror to a substantial degree of the First/Third World contrasts.
The human environment, in both urban and rural areas, must therefore be improved significantly in a relatively short time if the present government is to achieve progress and stability. I however anticipate that the present government will also be subjected to powerful pressures to direct its resources and political energies in directions other than the environment. Leadership and resources from the non-governmental sector are therefore needed. Not only in support of government programmes, but also to play a major role in keeping environmental considerations high on the agenda of government. The private sector must assist in shaping the development of integrated environmental legislation, regulatory structures, environmental economics and the fostering of environmental education, training and advocacy.
I was given a long list of sponsors to this programme. I do not want to belittle their role in the creation of this programme. Sponsors are often the make or break factor in the realisation of a dream. So, I want to mention them by name and assure them of my heart-felt thanks. Thank you to all of you, and I put you in no particular order: Crown Cork, Consol, Sentrache, SA Breweries, Truworths, National Beverages, Standard Bank, Adcock Ingram, CH Chemicals, Huletts, Aluminium and Spoornet.
Waste Management
The main problems with waste management in many towns in South Africa are either a complete absence of such services, or lack of a well-organised system. The solution are often not fully implemented. In cases where so system existed in the past, the new
system often lacks a fully integrated approach. Simple but crucial aspects are neglected, such as the placing of an adequate number of waste receptacles at sources of waste generating points, provision for recycling initiatives or involvement the community. Even where waste management services are in place, they often ... vast improvement. I trust that the Alexandra Tidy Town Programme will set an example of a fully integrated approach. The situation with waste management has been compounded by delays in putting fully representative municipal authorities in place. The problem now facing us is to service the needs of our people. Even the proposed RDP programmes for this year in our townships will not succeed if there are not administrative structures in place. I would strongly suggest that more municipalities follow the example of the Central Witwatersrand Metropolitan Chamber where private consultants have been employed to integrate and streamline present structures and infrastructure.
Littering
The exciting new programmes of KSAB now makes it possible for trade and industry to become involved in projects that will create direct benefits for communities. Projects such as the Tidy Town Programmes and the One Man Contract System do not only link very well with the objectives of the RDP in creating jobs and a better living environment, but also create opportunities for empowerment of the people in handling their own problems and generating expertise. My congratulations to KSAB for their innovative approach. I want to call on the business sector to support these programmes as a significant contribution to the aims of the RDP.
Litter remains one of the most pressing problems in less-privileged communities. While other less visible forms of pollution probably have a higher impact on the living environment, litter, being so visible, compounds various issues. Firstly it impacts directly on resources by polluting water and soil. Secondly it creates serious health hazards. Thirdly, it impacts directly on the tourism potential of surrounding areas, and last but perhaps the most serious result, is the impact on the social fabric of the people. No-one can grow up in a situation where the lack of services results in feelings of hopelessness and despair and not be touched in some way or another.
Litter is a greater social evil than most people realise. The problem has deteriorated over the last few years with the greater influx of people to urban areas. Other reasons, such as the lack in environmental awareness and education programmes, complexity of socio-economic situation in our country, fragmentation of existing control measures have complicated the problem.
As a result of this problem, a workshop to investigate possible avenues of action, will be held by the Department on 25 August 1994. All parties which can give an input will be invited to put their views. We hope that this exercise will come up with solutions that we can forward to the President’s office, for adaptation and implementation in other areas, in support of the RDP objectives.
So far the RDP Cabinet Committee has formed various task teams. One such task group is the one dealing with urban renewal and will give attention to upgrading schemes for existing built-up areas. Upgrading schemes for sanitation, housing, electricity, waste management, etc are considered that will involve present structures and the local communities. Combat of litter will also be addressed by this task group.
In the same vein I would like to take the opportunity in thanking the Aluminium Can Recycling Association (ACRA) for their initiatives and incentives for recycling, job creation and removal of litter. I trust that their schemes can be extended to other parts of our country.
I would also like to thank the companies who use these and other incentives for the collection of cans. I have noticed with satisfaction the Collect-a-Can scheme by the steel can industry. I do, however, think that even stronger incentives and initiatives are called for.
Dangerous waste
The provisions of the Basel Convention will come into operation tomorrow. The transboundary movement of hazardous waste from and into South Africa will then be subject to strict internation standards. In the meantime South Africa had to get its own house in order. A draft policy on the handling of hazardous waste will thus appear in the Government Gazette within the next few days. In the meantime, the Department of Agriculture will announce a national retrieval scheme for prohibited and redundant pesticides tomorrow. The idea is to eventually dispose of such dangerous materials in a safe and responsible manner and to avoid further use of these dangerous chemicals. I call on all of you to collaborate on these very important initiatives.
The Department is presently in the second stage of its investigations for a National Holistic Policy on Integrated Control. The aim of the project is to link air, water and soil pollution with solid waste management programmes and to investigate and recommended institutional and regulatory changes for the reduction of risks to the environment. The programme will not only include policy and regulation proposals for all aspects of environmental pollution control, but will also include recommendations for litter abatement and recycling initiatives. There is no simplistic approach to the littering problem. I believe that policies will in the end have to recommend various actions. A comprehensive strategy consisting of educational measures, incentives punitive measures, etc will have to be followed.
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for the honour of appointing me as patron of Keep South Africa Beautiful. You can rely on my full support and commitment to your ideals. I trust that I will be in a position to live up to your expectations and I wish to extend all my best wishes to KSAB for a good and productive year. I do, however, want to ask that KSAB do their utmost to co-ordinate their programmes with new provincial authorities. I also consider it of utmost importance that a new national pride in our country be inculcated in the hearts and minds of our people. We need new innovative thinking to prevent littering in our communities. May I ask that serious consideration be given to some form of national competition to help national pride and clean environments to prosper.
I thank you.