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ADDRESS
BY THE MEC FOR AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM, ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION – MR.
DAWID ROOI: ARBOR WEEK LAUNCH – AT THE NEW LEGISLATURE BUILDING ON 1ST
OF SEPTEMBER 03
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Honourable Speaker and MPL’s
Honourable
Executive Mayor
Management
and Staff of DWAF
Distinguished
Guests and Learners
Comrades
and Friends
It
is indeed with deep gratitude that I am addressing this occasion that speaks
into visible and explicit actions for an improved environment. As custodians of
our natural environment we are forever reminded of our obligation towards urban
greening. It is for this very reason that Arbor Week should be commemorated in
acknowledgement of the efforts of the masses in seeking their own urban
forests.
In
undoing apartheid planning of the masses being subjected to degraded
environments, occasions of this nature shall serve to harness our efforts in
creating uncountable green spaces. Our environment bears sustainable
development that is also found in trees that serve in most instances as a
shelter, protector and provider.
Programme
Director,
The
Northern Cape has joined the rest of South Africa in marking Arbor Week with a
firm commitment towards enforcing a tree-planting culture through various
initiatives. Initiatives such as
EduPlant assisted in mobilizing school kids from marginalized groupings through
the Keep Schools Green Projects. We’ve witnessed the change and we want the
change to bear a million trees.
My
office will broaden its focus by keeping a check on the work done by Trees and
Food for Africa and asking for regular reports on projects undertaken
throughout the province. We are yearning to build a solid relationship with the
Provincial Department of Water Affairs and Forestry at the highest level. The
foundation has been laid through the Cleanest Town Competition processes and
other initiatives of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, Environment
and Conservation.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
It
is quite befitting for Government together with our private partners to take
the lead in inculcating a tree-planting culture that ties up with the Galeshewe
Urban Renewal Plan. I wish to extend my unending gratitude unto the
Executive-Mayor of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Mr. Patrick Lenyibi and his
team for bringing back the bird song to the previously marginalized areas that
are within your municipal boundary. Trees are a source of shelter for our birds
and the two are integral biodiversity elements.
I
would further like to challenge all spheres of government to use the various
environmental clubs in bolstering tree planting. We’ve discovered a new breed
of environmental activists who would like to be involved in improving their
state of the environment. The youth are ready to be galvanized into
action.
These
youngsters are aware that the environment presents a package of opportunities
for our own survival hence they would like to volunteer for the environment.
What they do know is that trees:
· Add beauty and peace to our
lives;
· Trees enrich the soil and
supply the world with oxygen;
· Trees and other plants are
used for medicines and ointments and that
· Trees are used as symbol of
reconciliation and remembrance.
Ours
is to assist them to attain IDs so that they can take part in government’s
various clean-up campaigns and greening projects.
Programme
Director,
We
need to act as a collective in ensuring that our soil, climate and water will
always allow us to plant an avalanche of trees. Trees are inextricably linked
to our cultural, physical and spiritual harmony with our natural surrounding. “
Trees are our heritage” as the theme for this year’s Arbor Week festivities,
states. Our trees do not want litter and waste such as the ugly national flower
- the thin plastic bag, my greatest dislike.
Let
us plant more trees in pursuance of a healthy and clean environment. Let us
step up our efforts in improving the quality of our lives. Lets work towards a
society where all people have sufficient food from trees, clean air and green
spaces in their neighbourhoods. Let us use the environment to break down the
barriers of economic exclusion.
Where
we work in partnership, with a common goal – there is no doubt that we can make
a real difference in building stronger communities. It is for this reason that
I would like to thank TOTAL for allowing us to turn towards them for assistance
in our urban greening projects.
In
conclusion, I would further like to urge all citizens to arise and act in
bringing about social stability to those affected by environmental degradation.
A depressed environment is not good for a hungry stomach.
May
I also extend my unending gratitude to all officials who have made this launch
a success. My best wishes also go the team at the Department of Water Affairs
and Forestry for the work they will be carrying out throughout the week. Keep
unfolding your greening projects for they do bear dividends. I thank you for
pursuing a vision of a society in harmony with its environment.
I
wish you all prosperity and a life of good living. Tiisang!!