11 June 1998.
Thank You Mr Master of Ceremonies, Mr Lex Fernhead, M.D. of the Two Oceans Aquarium, Professor Mike Bruton, Director of Education and Science Services, Dr Niel Malan from the Department, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
It is a great honour and pleasure for me to be here this evening to officiate at the transfer of the Alpha Activity Centre to the Two Oceans Aquarium and CoastCare.
This is a centre designed to afford our young people and the general public the opportunity to learn more about our coastline and the unique ecological systems it supports. This centre, I am certain, will be even more rewarding for the young because of its interactive, participatory and entertaining character. I want to congratulate Alpha Ltd for its initiative, which we would like to see emulated in other parts of the country by other companies. I have also to express our appreciation of the invitation extended to Coastcare to become part of this centre three years ago.
The public spirit we see demonstrated here this evening by Alpha Ltd is something highly commendable. Not only does it relieve the government and the public purse of the responsibilities attaching to such centres, it also deepens the sort of partnership we are trying to develop between the government, the private sector and the public in pursuance of our shared national goals.
South Africa is one among a very few countries whose coast line takes in two of the great oceans. This 3000 kilometres long expanse of land stretches from Maputaland in the East to Namaqualand in the west. It is a unique frontier where land and the oceans meet and is home of an astounding variety of very delicately balanced eco-systems that have evolved over centuries by adapting and re-adapting to the changing patterns of wind, water and sand.
Our coastline has some quite astounding and contrasting features. In east we have the steep, highly vegetated dunes of Maputaland with the spectacularly beautiful estuarine system of the St Lucia Wetland just behind them; while in the west we see the endless sandy beaches of the arid landscape stretching for miles to meet the horizon.
There is growing international recognition that coastal zones are special and require their own specific management systems. We have set in motion our own policy formulating process to devise a comprehensive Coastal Management Policy for South Africa. Its purpose will be to address the needs of our developing nation while at the same time safeguarding our coastline as a natural heritage for present and future generations. A holistic and sustainable coastal management policy will go a long way towards managing that delicate balance we must maintain between terrestrial and aquatic life.
We hope to produce a Green paper or discussion document by July this year, to followed by a White Paper setting out government policy by November 1998.
Our coastline is also where the best adapted terrestrial animal, man, interacts most actively with the seas. We come to the coast for our pleasure and recreation. We come to the coast to exploit the resources the seas have to offer. We come to the coast to travel to other lands and to engage in trade and exchange with other peoples. All these human activities place inordinate pressure on the coastline, and if improperly managed could damage it irreparably.
The importance of what may at first glance appear to be rather insignificant ecosystems and the habitats of rather inconsequential life forms is that they are all vital constituents of the tapestry of nature. Though many of us who grew up along this magnificent coastline may take it for granted, it is the home of a number of extremely delicate eco-systems which we disturb at our peril.
Undue interference, thoughtless action and the unregulated pursuit of profit have all too often resulted in the irretrievable destruction of many parts of the biosphere. The government's commitment to sustainable development is rooted in the recognition that human actions in the past and the present may visit terrible, though unforseen, consequences on future generations. We cannot dismiss the concerns of those who counsel caution and circumspection in our dealings with nature with impunity.
Government is not unmindful of the concerns of developers, commercial undertakings, communities and labour who urgently wish to stimulate the economy so as to bring about the very laudable objectives of economic growth and job creation. We have therefore created an environment for consultative and participatory policy processes. These are long, costly and very exhausting exercises, but they will give all sectors a sense of ownership of the resulting policy.
My Ministry recently released a White Paper on Environmental Management, which is the culmination of a long process of public consultation. It provides a comprehensive framework for environmental management .
The peoples of Africa have recognised and embraced coastal management as one of the key tools to ensure sustainable development. Two conventions and their related protocols have been adopted by several African countries. The Abidjan Convention, to protect and develop the Marine and Coastal Environment of West and Central Africa, came into force in 1984, The Nairobi Convention, for the management and development of the coastal environment of Eastern Africa, came into force in 1996. As a country that can claim both the east and the west coasts of Africa, we are giving serious consideration to acceding to both.
South Africa will be hosting a Sub-Saharan African States coastal management conference in November 1998. This conference will hopefully promote greater regional cooperation in coastal and marine matters. Coast Care is at the centre of our own national efforts in this direction and we expect it to make a sound contribution also in continental affairs.
Alpha has today given a sterling example of public spiritedness. Other corporations have done likewise in the area of conservation, historical research, environmental management and pollution control. We want to see corporate South African becoming more proactive with respect to all facets of environmental management, conservation and development.
Finally, let me congratulate Alpha for its gesture and once again express my profound thanks on behalf of us all.