Chairperson, may I welcome the new director-general on behalf of Cope and wish him all the best in his new job? South Africa is certainly in need of a good Director-General of Water Affairs.
Today I want to talk about the major rivers in the Kruger National Park. There are six big ones, namely the Luvuvhu, Shingwedzi, Letaba, Sabie, Olifants and Crocodile Rivers. All these, except the Shingwedzi, were reported in former game ranger records as being perennial - before man interfered. Today, only two are perennial rivers, namely the Olifants, which is under threat, and the Sabie.
We all know that neither of these two rivers originate in the Kruger National Park. Their catchment origin is outside the park, and they are dependent on the run-off that comes far from the Kruger. That is the challenge. These rivers are longitudinal ecosystems and therefore what happens outside the borders of the park will determine the quality of the river within the park.
So the question is: How healthy and effective is the department's management strategy in maintaining these ecosystems? For many years this has been a battle between development, agriculture and those who want to protect the rivers. It is sad to say that the rivers are losing this battle big time.
In 1992, before democracy, the writing was already on the wall for the Olifants River, one of the two remaining perennial rivers. This river picks up pollutants along its course and then, suddenly, with a small influent tributary, the water becomes toxic to most species. In 1992, the former Transvaal Chief Directorate of Nature and Environmental Conservation wrote the following about the Olifants River in a publication: "This river has been broken down long enough and the time for its rebuilding has come."
In 1992, they asked the question of how one tackled such a multifaceted, complicated problem. How do you stop the recurring problems? How do you bring about the rehabilitation required? In 2012, which is 20 years later, the problem is more severe but exactly the same. The Olifants River is one of many of our majestic natural systems that has been on its knees over many years of relentless and insensitive exploitation of the catchment area. Do we, especially the department, have the will and the guts to do what was attempted in 1992 and should happen now in 2012?
We need a new vision for this challenge. On the one hand there is a desperate effort to create jobs - and we need them. The President is on record as saying that South Africa must become a massive construction site. There is nothing wrong with that, but only if that is done in total balance with the environment. South Africa's natural assets are our wealth and I wonder whether we are adequately weighing up the economic advantages and making sure that we protect our water from pollution. Mining and agriculture are the big culprits, but they are also the big job creators.
So, the time for balance has arrived. What is that balance? It would include dedicated Departments of Water Affairs, Forestry and Environmental Affairs that would utilise all the powers vested in it to protect our resources. If we save the quality of our water, we save our rivers, the fish in them, the crocodiles roaming them and the birdlife dependent on a clean environment. The natural beauty of this country is a huge asset and has itself contributed to job opportunities. Therefore, our environment is also part of this new massive construction site for jobs. Without that balance, the sustainability of a long-term healthy South Africa is not possible. I came across this powerful quote on the website www.africaourafrica.com:
One lovely day, towards dawn, I paused to take a look at the sky, which covered our blessed continent. The clouds kept swelling as they seemed to be encircling Africa in honour of the cradle of mankind, the mother of civilisation, the continent that is lush with green and full of cultural heritage - Africa, the birthplace of warriors. I saw the vigour of the Zulus, the pride of the Masai, the gold in Ashanti and the wisdom in Timbuktu. Then I realised that we are a unique breed with a rich ancestry, unique values, a spectacular history, a wounded past, a progressing present and an uplifting, restoring future. We are the spice of the planet.
Let us today celebrate our incredible animal kingdom and cherish it by looking after our rivers. Let us remember that the Kgalagadi is larger than France and that the Blyde River Canyon is the largest green canyon in the world. Kwame Nkrumah wrote, "I am an African, not because I was born in Africa but because Africa is born in me." Let us therefore protect our environment, not only for ourselves but for all those who will come to visit us for the first time. Richard Mullin wrote, "The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa - for he has so much to look forward to." If we fail our water resources and our remaining perennial rivers in the Kruger, then we have failed our continent, the world and our people. With the sincerity of a man asking for the hand of his wife-to-be, may I also go on my knees and ask: Will you, hon Edna Molewa, do your best to save the rivers of the Kruger? [Applause.]