You've got one minute, hon member.
Ke timetse jaanong. [I am lost now.]
Regarding inventories of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, through the initiatives of the department, as well as several organisations, including local government and others, there has been an undertaking to develop long- term projects that use modern technology to monitor air quality instrumentation. This clearly indicates that there is a need for adequate funding for the department in order to achieve this mammoth task. We are, however, confident that the Minister's track record and resilience will assist the department in realising the objectives as skeletally expressed in South Africa's response to climate change.
The ANC supports the Budget Vote.
Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister and hon members, the UDM supports Budget Vote No 30. [Applause.]
Qhwabani kakhulu apho ngaphesheya. [Keep on applauding on the opposite side.]
I have limited speaking time and I will dedicate this speech to Madiba, the environmentalist. In celebrating the first birthday of Madiba since he is no longer here, we can't but remember his passionate love and care for nature and the environment, and its relation to humankind and the people of South Africa in particular.
I am reminded of one of the questions this icon asked me directly when he returned from one of his early village walks in Qunu during the early 90s. He asked me, "Bantu, what happened to all the birds that used to inhabit this place, with their harmonious sounds and their beautiful singing, which made many enjoy the tranquillity and nature of the village?" In response to Madiba, I said that due to the high levels of poverty in the area local people had been forced to fell trees for use as wood fuel.
Certainly there is a direct relationship between poverty and the environment and, unfortunately, it is not always a good one. The concern in Madiba's question exposed us to the need to give immediate attention to the preservation of our environment. For example, the afforestation programmes will one day make it possible to have the pleasure of walking through a forest and listening to the beautiful sounds of nature, as Madiba wished.
To realise his wish, the UDM suggests that as part of the much talked about cultural liberation route, which it is proposed should start at Pietermaritzburg, perhaps what should be considered is establishing what could be called Madiba or Nelson Mandela forests. Such forests would go a long way towards responding to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity management, combating desertification, heritage conservation, and facilitating sustainable economic growth and job creation.
Given the current questionable infrastructure development map of our country, this proposal would present an opportunity for equitable reconstruction of our country.
Finally, I have a word for the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, Baba Mthembu: We welcome you to this portfolio committee. Please make sure that City Press covers your well-articulated speech this afternoon!
Ungayithethi ke laa nto yakho mhlekazi ithi: [Don't say what you used to say, sir:] "Don't buy City Press! Don't buy it." [Kwahlekwa.] Ndiyabulela. [Laughter.] Thank you.]
Chairperson, Theodore Roosevelt once said:
To waste, to destroy our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified and developed.
To ensure the future of our children's children's children, we need to ensure that we protect and preserve our natural resources.
By 2030 South Africa's transition to an environmentally sustainable, climate change-resilient economy and just society should be well under way, according to the NDP.
The current budget lacks any reflection of this. To ensure the protection and preservation of our environment, we need funds to do more research, we need greater investment in the green economy, and we need to allocate funds to continue with projects such as Working on Fire. I am deeply concerned about budget cuts made, specifically in regard to environmental programmes and chemical waste management.
Regarding environmental programmes, the emergence of small, medium and micro enterprises in areas such as waste management contributes to reducing unemployment, poverty and income inequality.
In committee a great deal of lip service is paid to fostering a green economy, yet the budget was cut by almost R15 million. Why do environmental protection and infrastructure programmes get a budget cut of almost R75 million? What is the likely impact of these reductions, both in the short term and over the long term? How will the reduction in the Green Fund affect projects and help innovate the critical transition to a greener economy?
Opportunities do exist for significant job creation in the recycling sector. Through improved regulations and partnerships between producers and municipalities, small businesses that focus on the collection and recycling of discarded goods such as glass, paper and cardboard can flourish. The current budget fails to take a pragmatic approach to achieving the strategic objectives of improved socioeconomic benefit in the environment sector.
With regard to chemicals and waste management, the NDP states that a revolution in social values is under way and that our culture of conspicuous consumption is being supplanted by social and environmental responsibility. But how, hon Minister, can we give effect to this when this budget fails to create an enabling environment which supports the need to recycle everything from e-waste to industrial waste? The only thing government seems to be recycling is bad politicians!
How can we say municipalities need more help, but then we cut the general waste and municipal support budget by almost R5 million? In a developing world such as ours, where there are so many harmful chemicals we use on a daily basis, why would we cut the budget for chemical waste management by almost R1 million? What justifies these reductions, and how can a budget cut take place when there are so many capacity constraints specifically within local government?
Furthermore, why are the department's seven branches not working together harmoniously? Waste gets dumped at landfill sites. Very little of that waste is recycled and then most of it is set alight, causing massive pollution. How does that make sense? Why has the department introduced regulations on air quality management, only to allow air pollution from burning landfills?
We welcome the results of these measurements. The poor air quality results will no doubt correlate with the poor decisions which inform this budget.
Why don't we just start working together to create jobs? Why don't we incentivise recycling from the local level upwards? It doesn't help if we buy different dustbins and different plastic bags and recycle in our homes, our businesses and even here, but when the municipal waste collection trucks come to our houses or businesses, they just chuck everything in there together, all deurmekaar [mixed-up]! What is that? That is not recycling - definitely not! Government must create a sustainable environment to recycle.
I will leave you with the following ancient American Indian proverb: "We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." [Applause.]
Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, colleagues, friends and comrades, members of the audience, and esteemed officials, I greet you.
Despite the many challenges facing the waste sector in South Africa, it is heartening to note that the department has established an enabling legislative framework to address and deal with them as well as to promote a recycling economy which contributes to much needed job creation in our country. The sector has definitely moved away from the conventional end-of-pipe pollution control system by adopting full cycle accounting, based on the waste hierarchy approach of reduce, reuse, recycle and waste diversion away from the landfill site. This has been further reinforced through an integrated approach by the adoption of integrated waste management plans for municipalities, ensuring that local government prioritises waste management in their integrated development plans.
It is heartening to note that a new regulatory environment has been created, which will generate revenue and wealth from waste, which will be used to fund and incentivise recycling industries, job creation, and other economic opportunities and enterprises in the waste sector. By apportioning an appropriate value to waste, more waste can be diverted from landfill sites to recycling, reuse and energy recovery, bringing us closer to achieving significantly less waste dumped in landfill sites.
The fact that harmful chemicals are still being used in society has always been a concern to me. It is pleasing to note that substantial progress has been made in chemical safety and management through the banning and phasing out of chemicals that harm the environment and atmosphere, for example, ozone-depleting substances such as hydrofluorocarbons.
The department have undoubtedly taken up their responsibility as good citizens in the international effort to phase out harmful chemicals by implementing the provisions of several multilateral environmental agreements that we have acceded to. The new regulations phasing out these chemicals are a demonstration of our commitment to the international community in the fight against climate change, and to ensuring a safe society.
Training and awareness-raising will always be an area where resources must be invested in building an environment-conscious citizenry that will take responsibility for maintaining a clean environment. I note that the department has been providing support to municipalities in the development of guidelines and integrated development plans, as well as in training councillors and officials. Given the challenges at local government, this support will have to be bolstered by additional resources to enable better waste management at source.
The department must be applauded for the turnaround achieved in licensing the unlicensed landfill sites across the country and for bringing them into compliance. This will ensure that these waste sites are better managed and controlled. The basic waste collection rates have also increased over the years, which is pleasing to note. Enforcement of bylaws and more vigilant compliance and monitoring at local government level will certainly assist in keeping our cities and towns clean with the help of a more informed and more responsible citizenship.
Overall the regulatory, institutional and economic reforms adopted by the department for managing the waste sector are commendable.
Education in combating waste management problems starts right in your home, with training your children to be conscious of the protection of our environment and the challenges it is faced with. This is the very same way in which a child is taught about nonracism and equality. Teach a child from a young age and the teaching remains with them for life. You will note that the way a child grows up to be strict in his or her life depends on how they spend the early years of their lives. If they are brought up in that manner, they will grow up to be respectable, decent and honourable, with the knowledge and understanding that the environment is vital to our people.
There are key challenges, with the absence of large-scale recycling infrastructure to enable waste separation, waste diversion, recycling and recovery. Lack of policy and a regulatory framework to promote the waste management hierarchy results in a limited economic potential of the waste management sector, which has a possible turnover of approximately R50 billion per annum, and outdated waste management infrastructure with declining levels of capital investment and maintenance. Overall the portfolio committee was well pleased with the effort that the department put into formulating its strategic plan, the annual performance plan, the indicators and the relevant performance targets for the 2014-15 financial year. The committee considered them realistic and achievable, despite budgetary constraints.
The committee is also acutely aware of the capability of the department to use the allocations made to it to fully implement its strategic plan and annual performance plan, and to attain the indicators and targets that it has set itself, as clearly shown by the department's ability to spend about 99% of its budget in successive financial years.
All this was done in line with the 2012 Polokwane declaration on waste management. The ANC is committed to ensuring that our people have a better life in a clean and safe environment.
I must say I have found that the committee to which I have been allocated, the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, is very pleasing, satisfying and enriching. I think all the colleagues on it are working well as a team. This committee is going to do well in the interests of South Africa and in bettering the lives of all our people. Thank you. [Applause.]
Good afternoon, Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members, director-general and your team, and ladies and gentlemen. I would like to quote from the film, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen:
Fate rarely calls upon us at a time of our choosing.
The budget prioritises South Africa's many needs within the constraints of limited resources. This is obvious. What is not obvious is why our environment is continuously underprioritised by this government. President Zuma said the word "environment" exactly once in his state of the nation address, hon Mthembu, and in reference to a different Ministry.
Our natural infrastructure is the infrastructure upon which our country is built, yet this department is plagued by political doublespeak: talk versus budget.
We welcome Cabinet-approved budget cuts on subsistence and travel, but not the Minister's violation of this by sending a delegation of 18 to Nairobi. Our parliamentary Questions in this regard still remain unanswered.
We encourage all efforts to implement measures to redress the imbalances of the past, and so we are disappointed that negligent political oversight allowed 20 years to pass before general workers in SANParks were included in the medical aid policy, costing the department R155 million this year. Enforcement and compliance are essential responsibilities, but budget cuts have reduced the department's already low strategic target for environmental authorisation inspections from 135 to 115.
A budget to increase the capacity of the department responsible for considering environmental impact assessments is needed. The DA always advocates for lean government administration, but employing and training more people would reduce opportunities for corruption and speed up business development, the perfect enabling environment for job creation.
We call upon the hon Molewa to take her rightful place as the competent authority for mining licences. As a custodian of the environment, it is baffling how she can be junior to the Minister responsible for mining on issues directly affecting the environment.
During and out of committee I have interacted with many of the department's team, and I am encouraged by their competence and genuine commitment to this cause. However, I am not confident that this budget gives them the resources they need to fully deliver on their mandate.
We need to adopt a coherent macro spatial planning approach that considers the carrying capacity of land and clusters of land use. We also need to move toward implementing a natural accounting system. Both strategies would improve environmental planning, guide business planning, and lay a foundation for the transition to a green economy and greener jobs.
We believe that this department has had great success. An example of this is the Working on Fire programme, and we greet those representatives in the gallery today, but more must be done.
Hon Minister, despite the genuine concerns and the efforts to end the slaughter of our rhino and the poaching of their horn, we are losing the war. Moreover, despite hundreds of millions of rands contributed by South Africans, another thousand rhino will be slain this year. The pro- versus anti-trade debate is polarising this country and detracting from what should be our main focus: saving the rhino. It is illegal to trade in rhino horn - qha! [that's it!] No matter what proposals are made for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in 2016, these do not release us from our responsibility for taking radical action now.
We need to communicate an unambiguous position that South Africa will not tolerate a tacit invasion - a quiet war on our natural resources. Are we not a sovereign, democratic nation founded on the supremacy of the rule of law? Are we not proud of what we have? Or, instead, are we happy to see foreign syndicates overpower our Defence Force, our game rangers and our police? Diplomacy is important, but there is no place for timid acquiescence now. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, Natjoints, is ineffective. It either needs an overhaul, or should be replaced with a more effective structure. We have to share intelligence, formulate a single strategy, and co-ordinate the efforts of all stakeholders if we are going to win the war for the natural kingdom.
The gap between the number of arrests and the number of convictions is too wide and, worryingly, supports suggestions that corruption is at play. We call on the department to take a zero tolerance approach to poaching, and for minimum sentences to be increased to 10 years for level 1 poachers.
We call for more funding to stop the carnage. R100 million, as mentioned today, is less than the single international donation received last year, hon Minister. Private owners are spending about R200 million per year of their own money and risking their lives for these animals daily. We are in a state of war, hon Minister, and we are losing because your department is failing to make a real, tangible difference.
In 2010, despite all the naysayers, we successfully pulled off the Soccer World Cup event - because we had a united message, the resources and the political will. We need to do that again, but this time with a focus on our rhino. Get that right and we can tackle the rest of wildlife crime. We need our President, hon Ministers and, indeed, all South Africans to say with one voice: "Don't touch me on my rhino!"
Yes! [Applause.]
Over 4 000 organisations globally are fundraising to save the rhino, with only about 160 registered with the Department of Social Development. We have no idea how much of this money is actually spent on rhino-saving efforts. We ask that the department publicish a list of registered organisations so that the public can make informed choices when making donations.
Treasury needs to treasure our rhino and show us the money for the departments to implement the recommendations above.
"Fate rarely calls upon us at a time of our choosing." Will South Africa be able to address this crisis before it is too late? Will we conserve our shared heritage, our inheritance? These are questions our choices of today will answer.
We call for a review of this budget during the medium-term budget review. Ndiyabulela. [I thank you.]
Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members of the House and distinguished guests, as a point of emphasis, the right of all South Africans - (a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
(b) to have the (natural) environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations ... -
is enshrined in section 24 of our Constitution.
It is also the mission of this department to provide leadership in environmental management, conservation and protection, with the aim of sustainability for the benefit of all South Africans and the global community. It is our considered view that the department is equal to this task, as shown through their master plan and also their strategic plan.
The oceans and coasts of our country remain a national asset that belongs to all South Africans. Oceans and coasts throughout the world have historically been among the most heavily exploited areas because of their rich resources. In coastal countries today, an estimated half of the total population live in the coastal zones, and it is therefore very important that we take note of this asset of the oceans and coasts.
During the time of the apartheid regime, ocean and coast management efforts did not recognise the value of coastal ecosystems as a cornerstone for development. This management was also resource-centred rather than people- centred and attempted to control coastal resources rather than promote their sustainable use, with a lack of recognition of the diversity of our coasts.
During the dawn of democracy in our country we saw the emergence of the White Paper for Sustainable Coastal Development in South Africa in the year 2000. The purpose of this paper was to promote an integrated approach to the management of our coast and redress the fragmented and unco-ordinated manner in which our marine and coastal environment had been managed, which benefitted only a few privileged. This White Paper gave birth to the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, which was promulgated in 2008 and which has assisted this government to move away from a fragmented to a co-ordinated and integrated approach to coastal management.
As our country was being welcomed into the global family we had to adhere to global approaches, like the 1992 Rio Earth Summit programme of action, called Agenda 21, which emphasised the integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas, and urged governments to develop policies that enabled stakeholder involvement. This approach was echoed by the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, which took place in Johannesburg. It called for countries to promote an integrated, multidisciplinary and multisectoral approach to coastal and ocean management at a national level. Marine protected areas in our country, including the offshore Prince Edward Island, also go a long way in sustainable development. We must remember that the marine protected areas have to promote and conserve the marine environment and marine biodiversity by providing a sanctuary for species, and against the impact of fishing exploration.
It is clear that as a country we have now begun to realise and understand the economic value of our ocean and coastal areas. Last year the Department of Environmental Affairs co-ordinated a study to analyse the economic potential of South Africa's oceans. This work demonstrated that the economic potential of South Africa's marine resources could be optimised further. Overall, South Africa's oceans could generate an estimated GDP contribution of up to R177 billion by the year 2033 through government interventions to unlock the value of certain sectors in the oceans and coastal sphere.
During the state of the nation address the President of our Republic, President Jacob Zuma, announced Operation Phakisa, which the Minister referred to. This operation is the government's intervention to come up with implementable plans to unlock the economic potential of the ocean and coastal sector. The President of the Republic, as also mentioned by the Minister, will officially launch Operation Phakisa on Saturday, 19 July, which is this coming Saturday.
Invite them.
You are all invited. [Laughter.] The number of jobs linked to the ocean economy could rise to one million, more than double the level in 2010.
Today South Africa is one of the emerging world powers in Brics. These emerging world powers are at different places in their relationship with their oceans and coasts. In the light of this, the main maritime benefits for South Africa from its partnership with Brics countries are obvious. It will benefit from an older and developed marine economy across the South Atlantic Ocean in Brazil; another one across the Indian Ocean in India; a substantial and highly sophisticated polar marine industry in Russia; and a relatively new but fast-growing and public-sector driven maritime economy in China. So, we are properly located in Brics.
Hon members, this ocean economy is underpinned by the White Paper on National Environmental Management of the Ocean, which was approved by the Cabinet last December. The principles enshrined in this ocean economy policy are from the National Development Plan, which encourages the valuing of our oceans for the benefit of all our people.
Furthermore, with regard to the blue economy, our region is now emerging as an oil and gas hub, given the massive gas finds along Africa's Indian Ocean coast. The Atlantic seabed has long been a vital supply of these hydrocarbons. It is only in this way that we can build our ocean-dependent, trade-based economies into engines for growth and development in order to eliminate poverty, unemployment and inequality.
In conclusion, before I sit down, I want to give two free lectures. The first is to the hon Mngxitama. No amount of hot air, cheap political shots or sloganeering will address the fundamental challenges that we are confronted with as a country with regard to the protection of the environment. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
Secondly, we say this to the hon Steenkamp. We don't need your cheap lectures in relation to the task and the far-fetched solutions that you are suggesting. What we are saying is that as a government we are equal to the task and to ensuring matters for the future. I say to her: Let us give you a clear directive, that the protection of the environment for future generations is a collective responsibility ... [Interjections.] ... and that you cannot play party politics with it. We are saying that this government is offering pragmatic, realistic and objective solutions to the current challenges. [Interjections.]
As the ANC, we support this Budget Vote. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Hon Chair, I would like to start by expressing my appreciation for all inputs made by hon members in the debate.
Earlier on I forgot to welcome our former chairperson and the present Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature; they were both members of this portfolio committee. I want to suggest that one day they should be brought in here just to provide a bit of an education to some of our hon members on the other side. [Laughter.]
I am saying this because I don't know what to respond to, especially as regards the hon member from the EFF. I have written here, "I don't know", because I honestly don't know what he was saying. [Interjections.]
As for hon Steenkamp, I think you have a long way to go, even though there is potential, ma'am. You have a long way to go in regard to understanding the kinds of things that we are talking about. [Interjections.] I have only three minutes in which to respond, so please sit down. [Interjections.]
Let me respond to the very positive inputs made by some members. Hon Holomisa, your suggestion about Madiba is most welcome indeed, and I think we will have to work together on that. There is a thought about the legacy of Madiba regarding the heritage issue - a world heritage site or even a national heritage site. So, we can work on those issues and include them there.
I now come to the issues raised by hon Singh. There is an issue that we are already working on which needs intervention, and that is the declassification of waste; so, we will have to revert to you in relation to that. With regard to the DNA sampling, certainly there is a lot happening. I want to indicate, as I have already said in my speech, that there is a lot of work that is beginning to be done in respect of Vietnam and China, particularly in Hong Kong. By the way, a consignment was found there by the authorities, and they have alerted us in South Africa. So, great work is being done there.
Why did I say there is still a long way to go for hon Steenkamp in regard to the issues that she raised? It is because it took quite a while for those of us who were not acquainted with the portfolio of the Department of Environmental Affairs to understand a lot of the work that is being done in curbing rhino poaching. I have now learnt a lot, so I have a lot to teach to you and those on that side.
It is indeed necessary that when we as South Africans stand up to speak, we must remember that there is a lot that is happening and we must contribute to what government is doing. Government is putting a lot of effort into this; we haven't spoken here today about even a quarter of what government is doing. It is important to realise that. Yes, we have a proposal that we will submit to that corps. It will be well researched, as I said, and it will be well thought through. There will be consultation and there will certainly be contributions from South Africans, as there always have been. There will be those who say, "We think this is what you should do," and we will listen. But we will find it difficult to listen to those who say, "You are not doing this and that, but you are doing that and this." That is a problem. So let us learn to handle this.
On the issue of the recycling economy, I think many members from the ANC made good contributions; we welcome and appreciate their inputs. The issues we are dealing with are environmental matters that started to become more important in 1994 only - chairperson, you were so right.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report does state that South Africa has indeed moved a long way. By the way, there are hon members from the other side who, from their inheritance and movement away from their original parties, have come from a background of not doing anything about these issues, so we have made strides.
The OECD report also points out the kind of things that you are saying. Our task is to be focused and move forward. Ours is to ensure, and I agree with you, that the environmental impact assessments that are being done must enable development. I said this is the reason why we actually integrated the systems to make a coherent system - read about it again - to ensure that mining authorisations are done now under the National Environmental Management Act and no longer under the Environmental Management Programme Report. So, we are moving in that direction and it is of our own accord; we were not taught by the DA to do the things that we are doing.
With regard to the Eskom emissions issue, we stated, hon member of the DA, that there is a greenhouse gas inventory that we drew up, together with South Africans, in order to understand the amounts of the gases that there are out there. Right now, even as we say we are facing not so good a picture, it is still not beyond what we have actually calculated it to be at this point in time, given our mitigation scenario. We are not so worried because we know that, given the actions that we said we would take in respect of allocations for the desired emission reduction outcomes, the industries allocated will take action. Indeed, we are certain that there will be a reduction at least by 2020.
Thank you very much for supporting the Budget Vote. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Debate concluded.