Wetland Forum (GWF) Minutes 5th September 2008 Rand Water, Glenvista 10h00 – 13h00

ISSUES PERSON RESPONSIBLE

1. Welcome Garth Barnes • The Chairperson, Garth Barnes, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Introduction of attendees Garth Barnes • Attendance register was circulated (please refer to the attendance register – Appendix 1).

3. Apologies All • Apologies were received from the following people: 1. Sue Bellinger – Sustainability Consultant 2. Antoinette van Wyk – SEF 3. Marian Laserson 4. Colleen Todd – resigned from DWAF 5. Andrew Barker 6. Piet Muller – GDACE 7. Johannes Mabena – Emfuleni Local Municipality 8. Willem Lubbe – SEFSA 9. George Wolvaardt – JRA 10. Retief Grobler 11. Piet-Louis Grundling 12. Support Chavalala – GDACE 13. Thomani Manungufala (WfWet) 14. Nicole Barlow 15. Benedict Itholeng (GDACE Strategic Compliance and Enforcement) 16. Gill Ledger 17. David Kleyn – DoA 18. Annamarie Maurizi 19. Johan van der Waals 20. Margie Donde 21. Pearl – Waste Services

4. Minutes from the previous meeting All • Minutes from the previous meeting were accepted with the following changes: - Page 3; point 8.2.2.: Kaalspruit – Paul did not undertake to write to Gautrain attorneys about dumping. - Page 5; point 9.2.2.: Bullfrog Pan – should read Blaauwpan.

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5. Matters arising from the previous minutes • Page 1; point 5.: Kaalspruit has been linked to the Centurion Lake issue – DWAF has set up a clean-up project, also focusing on involving the community in their duty of care for the natural environment. • Page 2; point 6.2.: Klipriviersberg conservancy – the constitution for the proposed conservancy is currently being drafted.

6. Additions to the Agenda 6.1. Mayibuye Wetlands Programme Melissa Hansen / • Refer to Point 10.1. Patrick Kwelepeta

6.2. World Wetlands Day 2009 celebrations Angie Phaliso • Refer to Point 10.2.

6.3.DME Garth Barnes • Refer to Point 9.2.2.

7. Items for Presentations All • No presentations scheduled.

8. GWF 8.1. Administration 8.1.1. GWF meeting Venue • There was a feeling that Rand Water is somewhat far for members travelling from the north and a more central venue would be preferable. • There were suggestions that for next year’s GWF we should look at areas such as Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Kempton Park, or the Development Bank of (DBSA). • Garth Barnes will look at the options available and a Garth Barnes decision will be communicated to members via email. • The last meeting for the year (7 November 2008) will still be hosted by the Rand Water Foundation at the Rand Water head office in Glenvista. (City of to provide snacks).

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8.2. Wetland Management 8.2.1. Wetland Database Liesl Mostert / • Liesl Mostert presented a brief summary of the work Garth Barnes undertaken by the wetland database sub-committee. • The aim of the database is to be proactive, rather than reactive, with regard to wetland conservation in Gauteng. The project is to fall in line with GDACE’s C- Plan. • Questions around the role and purpose of the wetland database were discussed. It was noted that there are enormous complexities around this issue (over 812 points represent the City of Johannesburg alone) – and that these are being addressed. • Garth Barnes again extended an invitation to forum members to join the sub-committee., or alternatively to submit their comments via email to [email protected].

8.2.2. Wetlands in crisis Garth Barnes / • A meeting was held between Benedict Itholeng (GDACE Paul Fairall / Strategic Compliance and Enforcement), Paul Fairall Benedict Itholeng and Garth Barnes – have narrowed the list down in terms of key issues • New wetlands added have been added to the list, as follows: - Blue Hills farm (Diepsloot wetland) in Gecko Conservancy (Retief has looked at this) – GDACE is working on this issue (Benedict Itholeng) - Serengeti – Benedict Itholeng has checked – they are in compliance with their RoD - James and Ethel Grey bird sanctuary wetland underneath the Brett Kebble bridge.

- Lonehill Bryanston wetland next to the M1

highway (William Bailey homes) – have admitted

that they are liable – soil will be removed.

- Fourways Gardens – sewage issue.

- Carlswald– This is a stormwater issue and so relevant person to be identified to help. This led to the discussion of the belowmentioned point. • There was suggestion for the various relevant Garth Barnes departments to present their organograms to GWF members. Garth Barnes to follow up on this issue and compile a list of relevant contact people for wetland issues.

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8.2.3. Arbitration sub-committee Jane Eagle • Jane Eagle reported that two elected members of the sub-committee have been lost, Samantha Braid (has left GDACE) and Retief Grobler. • Nevertheless, Jane to send email with draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for the forum’s input. • The original thinking for this sub-committee was formulated around areas of dispute for wetlands in crisis, the arbitration sub-committee to bring overall mediation to the situation. However, additional factors such as peer review mechanisms and the development of knowledge and skills within the wetland field have also been considered. Thus it has been agreed to change the name and not call it an arbitration committee but “reference group” or something similar.

8.3. Training and Education 8.3.1. Education sub-committee Nicole Barlow • Garth reported, on behalf of Nicole Barlow, that: - No meeting has been held as yet. It is hoped that this sub-committee will meet before the next GWF meeting (7 November 2008). - A valuable resource has also been received from WESSA, the “Windows on our World (Wetlands) Enviro Picture Building Game” (contact Pat Hoffmann – [email protected], to obtain this resource). It is hoped that this be a resource that the education sub-committee can use to begin educating about wetlands.

8.4. Communication 8.4.1. Wetland Info Bytes Feedback Garth Barnes / • Wetland info bytes are being sent to the GWF Nicole Barlow distribution list every three weeks or so.

8.4. 2. Pop-up banners Garth Barnes / • Five pop-up banners are available for use from the Melissa Hansen National Wetlands Indaba (NWI) 2007 – however, these are specific to the organizations funding the event. • Garth Barnes will look at the options available for an Garth Barnes additional banner and a decision will be communicated to members via email.

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• GDACE SRM has developed an awareness manual for community-based groups, focusing on wetlands. Forum members to send their postal address to Melissa should they be interested in obtaining this manual, [email protected].

8.4.3. Website feedback Garth Barnes / • Trial for the WfWet website (to host provincial wetland Rehana Dada forum websites) to begin in about two weeks.

9. Stakeholders’ Report Back 9.1. Catchment Forums Report back 9.1.1. Blesbokspruit Garth Barnes / • A WfWet presentation regarding the National Wetlands Marc de Inventory (NWI) was given at the last forum meeting. Fontaine • A Vaal River Systems study is currently underway – more information can be obtained from Marc de Fontaine, [email protected].

9.1.2. Hennops Garth Barnes / • The Kaalspruit Olifantsfontein wetland and river clean- Precious up and tree planting project is being initiated by DWAF, Mahlangu in partnership with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). • The focus has thus far been on the riparian zone; a 1 km stretch of river has been cleaned, followed by tree planting. • Precious Mahlangu noted that this should not be a once- off activity, but rather an ongoing project, incorporating issues of community awareness and responsibility.

9.1.3. Klip River • No report.

9.2. Other Organizations 9.2.1 DWAF Rens Botha • A national wetlands task team meeting was held on 29 August 2008. Issues discussed included the following: - the Heidelberg flood plain; - the Gerard Hildebron peatland; - the Erand Gardens wetland next to Vodacom (midrand); - the Serengeti Golf Course; - the Clearwater pan; - the Transnet pipeline; and

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- the rehabilitation of the Welgedacht Boekenhoutspruit (GDACE to take note identify a particular person to help with this).

9.2.2. DME Garth Barnes • Nqobile has resigned. Garth Barnes will request that the DME nominates a representative to sit on the forum in her place.

9.2.3. GDACE Siyabonga • With regard to ACSA’s rehabilitation plan for Buthelezi / Blaauwpan – the Department, together with DEAT and Melissa DWAF, is working on a public complaint letter received Hansen by the Department, challenging the PPP. • The Sustainable Resource Management (SRM) Directorate is engaged in four wetland related projects in the 2008/9 financial year: 1. the Esselen Park Expanded Public Works (EPWP) rehabilitation project; 2. the Soshanguve Sustainable Livelihoods project – Phase 1 (LandCare); 3. the Sebokeng Sustainable Livelihoods project – Phase 1 (LandCare); and 4. the Katlehong Natalspruit wetland environmental education and wetland rehabilitation project (Programme Development). • Forum members to contact Melissa Hansen, [email protected], for more information about the above projects.

9.2.4. Rand Water Foundation Phyllis • The Foundation is currently working on obtaining buy-in Serumula from the community on issues related to dumping and sand mining.

9.2.5. City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (CoJ) Jane Eagle • The CoJ wetland audit was completed in the last financial year. Phase 2 focuses on creating a manageable wetland system from this audit. • Budget has been allocated for wetland rehabilitation in the south. Currently the city is assessing priority areas according to the technical reports. • The city is facing significant constraints, especially related to a lack of capacity.

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9.2.6. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) Precious • The rehabilition of Bullfrog pan has been completed. The Mahlangu Municipality is currently focusing on promoting the pan as a sustainable conservation area for the surrounding community. • Implementation of a riparian protection project at spruit is currently being undertaken. • A project related to providing community access and encouraging ownership is also currently being implemented in Tembisa. • The Katlehong Natalspruit wetland project is currently in a planning phase, implementation is planned for next financial year. • The Municipality has encountered problems with compliance to the RoD’s in some cases. • lake has serious problems – fish deaths have occurred.

9.2.7. City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality • No representative from the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality attended the forum meeting. • Garth Barnes will make an effort to get a representative Garth from Tshwane. Barnes

10. Discussion of additions to the agenda Patrick 10.1. Mayibuye Wetlands Programme Kwelepeta / • The Mayibuye Wetlands Programme submitted a letter to the Melissa Department, through the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Hansen Premier, requesting assistance. GDACE replied inviting them to participate in the forum, as well as to contact Shoni Munzhedzi regarding the Klipspruit Mayoral Legacy Project. • More information regarding the Mayibuye Wetlands Programme may be obtained from Patrick Kwelepeta, [email protected].

10.2. World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2009 celebration Angie • Angie Phaliso to send information regarding WWD 2009 Phaliso celebrations via email.

11. Next meeting: GWF Annual General Meeting (AGM) • Date: 7th November 2008 • Venue: Rand Water Glenvista • Time: 10h00 – 13h00 • CoJ to provide snacks

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Appendix 1: Attendance register

Date: 5 September 2008 Rand Water, Glenvista

Name Organisation

Bismark Mashau GDACE Nature Conservation Aquatic Services Unit Garth Barnes WESSA Rens Botha DWAF Anni Schwirzer Maccaferri Cleo Siane Emfuleni Local Municipality Clr Hossack F Midvaal Local Council Deryck Day Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Dolly Mabunda GDACE SRM LandCare Elesie van Staden Ekurhuleni Metro Goerge Mohlala Ubuntu Eco Club Happy Baloyi GDACE SRM Programme Development Helen Fox Institute for Water Services Jabulani Siyaya GDACE SRM Programme Development Jane Eagle City of Johannesburg Jim Dickens Henley Conservancy Liesl Mostert GDACE Nature Conservation Martin Ramothebe Birdlife South Africa Melissa Hansen GDACE SRM Programme Development Pearl Pooe Emfuleni Local Municipality Penny Hoets GEKCO Great Kyalami Conservency Precious Mahlangu Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Rens Botha DWAF Sam Nkoagatse GDACE SRM LandCare Siyabonga Buthelezi GDACE Nature Conservation Aquatic Services Unit Spandiel Timothy Impala Platinum Stephen van Staden Scientific Aquatic Services

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