And it is fundamental to note our Constitution states “Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations,” Programme Director, ladies and gentlemen, I think it is also important to indicate why our Department chose to celebrate our 2012 Landcare programme in Soshanguve. Soshanguve is one of Gauteng’s priority townships that has suffered severe land degradation in the form of soil and water loss, resulting in food insecurity and biodiversity loss. As such, our Department made an intervention by working and supporting a local school called Seetsa sa Kgwedi Primary – School, as part of the Junior LandCare school programme. This school, ladies and gentlemen, has already shown interest and zeal for greening and has subsequently won awards for its greening programme. This truly deserved a round of applause. Ladies and Gentlemen, with our Junior Landcare programme, the Department has designed a permaculture and wetland garden for the school and work is currently underway to install a bore-hole to alleviate the cost of municipal water used for the irrigation of permaculture gardens. And I am glad to announce that this work will be showcased today to other invited schools so that principles of water wise gardening and appropriate irrigation systems will be promoted to other communities. I am therefore truly delighted Program Director to be here in Soshanguve, as this is our aim as a Department, to enhance the promotion of appropriate technology and infrastructure for climate change adaptation and to combat food insecurity, floods and droughts while creating work opportunities for local and disadvantaged communities as part of Gauteng Landcare programme.
And it is fundamental to note our Constitution states “Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations,” Programme Director, ladies and gentlemen, I think it is also important to indicate why our Department chose to celebrate our 2012 Landcare programme in Soshanguve. Soshanguve is one of Gauteng’s priority townships that has suffered severe land degradation in the form of soil and water loss, resulting in food insecurity and biodiversity loss. As such, our Department made an intervention by working and supporting a local school called – Seetsa sa Kgwedi Primary School, as part of the Junior LandCare school programme. This school, ladies and gentlemen, has already shown interest and zeal for greening and has subsequently won awards for its greening programme. This truly deserved a round of applause. Ladies and Gentlemen, with our Junior Landcare programme, the Department has designed a permaculture and wetland garden for the school and work is currently underway to install a bore-hole to alleviate the cost of municipal water used for the irrigation of permaculture gardens. And I am glad to announce that this work will be showcased today to other invited schools so that principles of water wise gardening and appropriate irrigation systems will be promoted to other communities. I am therefore truly delighted Program Director to be here in Soshanguve, as this is our aim as a Department, to enhance the promotion of appropriate technology and infrastructure for climate change adaptation and to combat food insecurity, floods and droughts while creating work opportunities for local and disadvantaged communities as part of Gauteng Landcare programme.