Environmental Affairs

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 2010/11 ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS 9 South Africa is the third most biologically and coastal resources, fresh water and diverse country in the world. It encompasses natural forests. about 1 200 000 km2 and has about 10% Regulations in terms of the National En- of all plant species on Earth. The climate is vironmental Management: Protected Areas moderate and the land ranges from desert to Amendment Act, 2004 (Act 31 of 2004), pro- grassland to subtropical swamp, all helping vide for the proper administration of specific to create a country that contains some of the nature reserves, national parks and world world’s most diverse animals and plant life. heritage sites. South Africa has the world’s richest floral South Africa is one of only two coun- kingdom, which produces a brief but bright tries in the world to have promulgated and colourful flowering season. legislation specifically related to the World South Africa is also home to one-sixth of Heritage Convention (the other being the world’s marine species with the Indian Australia), which was adopted by the UN Ocean on the east coast and the Atlantic on in 1972. the west coast. South Africa has more spe- The country’s World Heritage Convention cies of wild animals than Europe and Asia Act, 1999 (Act 49 of 1999), stipulates that put together and a vast variety of endemic all world heritage sites must have an in- and migratory birds. tegrated management plan in place to The vision of the Department of Environ- ensure cultural and environmental protec- mental Affairs is to create a prosperous and tion and sustain­able development of the equitable society living in harmony with the site. environment. The National Environmental Manage- The department aims to improve the ment: Waste Act, 2008 (Act 59 of 2008), levels of service delivery relating to waste came into effect on 1 July 2009. The Act management, pollution, air quality, adapta- provides for the drawing up of the National tion to the impacts of climate change, biodi- Waste-Management Strategy (NWMS) versity and conservation. within two years. By mid-2010, the department had devel- Policy and legislation oped a draft NWMS, which, among other The National Environmental Management: things, responds to challenges in respect of Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004), specific categories of waste and describes provides a regulatory framework to protect the application of different instruments for South Africa’s valuable species, ecosys- each waste category. The strategy is a tems and its biological wealth. It implements guide on how to reduce the amount of waste the White Paper on the Conservation and generated, recover material where possible, Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biological recycle and reuse waste. Diversity (1997) and multilateral agreements The National Policy on the Thermal Treat- such as the United Nations (UN) Convention ment of Hazardous and General Waste was on Biological Diversity (CBD), which came implemented during 2010/11. into force in December 1993. The implementation of the asbestos regu- The National Environmental Manage- lations, promulgated in 2007/08 to prohibit ment: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act 57 the use, manufacture, import and export of of 2003), provides for the protection and asbestos and asbestos-containing mater- conservation of ecologically viable areas ials, is progressing well. that are repre­sentative of South Africa’s bio- logical diversity, its natural landscapes and seascapes, and the management of these. At the end of September 2010, the former The Act envisages a national register Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, of protected areas, with a simplified clas- i Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, and the MECs responsi- ble for the environmental portfolio in the prov- sification system of national parks, nature inces, signed delivery agreements to realise Outcome reserves and protected environments. It also 10, which takes its cue from President Jacob Zuma’s introduces the concept of biological-diversity State of the Nation Address 2010, wherein he commit- protection and ecosystem manage­ment. ted that government would ensure that the country’s Biodiversity, conservation and eco­system environmental assets and natural resources are valued, management are noted as important aims protected, and continually enhanced. in policy and legislation that govern marine 2010/11 Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 192 World Summit on • responding appropriately to emerging Sustainable Development human development, economic and en- (WSSD) vironmental challenges. Johannesburg hosted the WSSD in Sep- Formal implementation of the action plan tember 2002. The agreements reached in commenced in 2010. Johannesburg are a guide to action that will take forward the UN Millennium Summit Biological diversity Declaration’s goal of halving world poverty South Africa enjoys the third-highest level of by 2015, and will incorporate decisions biodiversity in the world. The country’s rich taken by world bodies since the Rio Earth natural heritage is vast and staggering in its Summit in 1992. proportions. The biggest success was getting the world Although the country covers only 2% of to turn the UN Millennium Declaration into a the world’s land area, nearly 10% of the concrete set of programmes and to mobilise world’s plants and 7% of its reptiles, birds funds for these programmes. and mammals are found here. In terms of Targets set at the summit will have an the number of endemic species of mam- enormous impact, including the following: mals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, South • the number of people without basic san- Africa is ranked as the fifth-richest country itation and access to safe drinking water in Africa and the 24th-richest in the world will be halved by 2015 in terms of biodiversity. It is one of only 17 • collapsed fish stocks will be restored by countries that collectively contain two-thirds 2015 of the world’s biodiversity. The three inter- • chemicals with a detrimental health impact nationally recognised bio­diversity hotspots will be phased out by 2020 in South Africa are the Cape Floral Region • energy services will be extended to 35% in the south, the Succulent Karoo that the of African households over the next 10 country shares with Namibia, and that of years. Maputoland-Pondoland in the east, which extends into Swaziland and Mozambique. National Framework for South Africa’s marine life is similarly Sustainable Development diverse, partly as a result of the extreme (NFSD) contrast between the water masses on the In July 2008, the Cabinet passed the NFSD. east and west coasts. The NFSD discusses the various environ- According to the White Paper on the mental and social risk areas facing South Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa and maps out five strategic priority Africa’s Biological Diversity (1997), over areas: 10 000 plant and animal species – almost • enhancing systems for integrated plan- 15% of the coastal species known world- ning and implementation wide – are found in South African waters, • sustaining the country’s ecosystems and with about 12% of these occurring nowhere using resources sustainably else. • investing in sustainable economic devel- The country’s natural heritage is best opment and infrastructure described according to a systematic • creating sustainable human settlements classifica­tion of regions, or biomes. A biome is a broad ecological unit representing a major life zone, which extends over a large In November 2010, the Deputy Minister of area, and contains relatively uniform plant i Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice and animal life closely connected with en- Mabudafhasi, handed over the R41-million vironmental conditions, especially climate. Mnquma Buyisela/Eco-Town as part of her Public Par- The White Paper states that South ticipation Programme in the Eastern Cape. The Mnquma Local Municipality is one of 10 munici- Africa is one of six countries in the world palities identified to be the recipients of the Buyisela/ with an entire plant kingdom within its Eco-Town concept. The project entails the installation of national confines. The Cape Floral King- bins, equipment and street furniture; the construction of dom has the highest-recorded species gateways and storage facilities; the planting of trees and diversity for any similar-sized temperate or ornamental plants; upgrading of public facilities; clearing of open spaces; and the establishment of food gardens. tropical region in the world. The project created 283 jobs for the local community Other biomes in the country are also of The Department of Environmental Affairs has set global conservation significance. For exam- aside R400 million for the Buyisela Eco-Towns Pro- ple, one-third of the world’s succulent plant gramme. species are found in South Africa.

193 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs There are eight major terrestrial biomes, usually only found along rivers or on rocky or habitat types, in South Africa, which can, hillsides. in turn, be divided into 70 veld types. Common animals include the bat-eared fox, ostrich, spring hare, tortoises and brown Savanna Biome locust. The riverine rabbit is a threatened The Savanna Biome is the largest biome in species found in the Nama-Karoo Biome. southern Africa, occupying 46% of its area, This biome includes the Namaland area and over one-third the area of South Africa. of Namibia, and the central Karoo area of This biome is an area of mixed grassland South Africa. and trees, and is generally known as bush- Because of low rainfall, rivers are non- veld. perennial. Cold and frost in winter and high In the Northern Cape and Kalahari sec- temperatures in summer demand special tions of this biome, the most distinctive trees adaptations from plants. The vegetation are the camel thorn (Acacia erioloba) and of this biome is mainly low shrubland and the camphor bush (Tarchonanthus campho- grass, with trees limited to water courses. ratus). Only 1% of the Nama-Karoo Biome falls In Limpopo, the portly baobab (Adansonia within officially protected areas, of which the digitata) and the candelabra tree (Euphorbia Karoo and Augrabies national parks are the ingens) dominate. The central bushveld is largest. home to species such as the knob thorn Overgrazing and easily eroded soil sur­ (Acacia nigrescens), bushwillow (Combre- faces are causing this semi-desert to creep tum spp.), monkey thorn (Acacia galpinii), slowly in on the neighbouring savanna and mopani (Colophospermum mopane) and grassland biomes. wild fig (Ficus spp.). In the valley bushveld of the south, euphorbias and spekboom Grassland Biome trees (Portulacaria afra) dominate. The Grassland Biome is the second-largest Abundant wild fruit trees provide food for biome in South Africa, covering an area of many birds and animals in the Savanna 339 237 km2 and occuring in eight of South Biome. Grey loeries, hornbills, shrikes, Africa’s nine provinces. The Grassland flycatchers and rollers are birds typical of Biome is one of the most threatened biomes the northern regions. The subtropical and in South Africa, with 30% irreversibly trans- coastal areas are home to Knysna loeries, formed and only 1,9% of the biodiversity purple-crested loeries and green pigeons. target for the biome formally conserved. The Raptors occur throughout the biome. The Grassland Biome provides essential eco- larger mammals include lion, leopard, chee- systems services, such as water production tah, elephant, buffalo, zebra, rhinoceros, and soil retention necessary for economic giraffe, kudu, oryx, waterbuck, hippopota- development. It contains important biodiver- mus and many others. sity of global and domestic significance and About 8,5% of the biome is protected. The value. Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfron- Trees are scarce and are found mainly tier Park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, iSiman- on hills and along riverbeds. Karee (Rhus galiso Wetlands Park and other reserves lancea), wild currant (Rhus pyroides), white are located in the Savanna Biome. stinkwood (Celtis africana) and several aca- cia species are the most common. Nama-Karoo Biome The Grassland Biome has the third- The Nama-Karoo is the third-largest biome largest number of indigenous plant species in in South Africa, covering about 20,5% of the country. the country or more than 260 000 km2. It Eight mammal species endemic to South stretches across the vast central plateau Africa occur in a wild state in this biome. of the western half of the country and is a The area is internationally recognised as semi-desert that receives a little rain in sum- an area of high species endemicity as far as mer. birds are concerned. Birds commonly found Rainfall varies from about 200 mm a year in the area include the black korhaan, blue in the west to 400 mm a year in the north- crane and guinea-fowl. east. Summer is very hot and winter is very In July 2010, government committed itself cold with frequent frost. to the conservation of grassland biodiversity Most of the plants are low shrubs and through the signing of a declaration of vari- grass. Many plants are deciduous. Trees ous role players. such as the sweet thorn (Acacia karoo) are

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 194 The goal is to sustain and secure biodi- made up mainly of the protea, heathers and versity and associated ecosystem services restio, and incorporates a diversity of plant of the Grassland Biome for the benefit of species (more than 8 500 kinds, over 6 000 current and future generations. of which are endemic). The declaration cites active measures to The Fynbos Biome is famous for the protea, be taken that involve a wide range of inter- for which South Africa is renowned. The ested and affected parties, including local biome also contains flowering plants now communities and resource users, in the regarded as garden plants, such as freesia, management and conservation of biodiver- tritonia, sparaxis and many others. sity in the Grassland Biome. Protected areas cover 13,6% of the Fyn- bos Biome and include the Table Mountain Succulent Karoo Biome and Agulhas national parks. The Succulent Karoo Biome covers a flat to This biome is not very rich in bird and gently undulating plain, with some hilly and mammal life, but does include the endemic “broken” veld, mostly situated to the west Cape grysbok, the geometric tortoise, Cape and south of the escarpment, and north of sugarbird and the protea seed-eater. The the Cape Fold Belt. mountains are the habitat of the leopard, One of the natural wonders of South baboon, honey-badger, caracal, rhebuck Africa is the annual blossoming of the and several types of eagle and dassies. Namaqualand wild flowers (mainly of the family Asteraceae), which transforms the Forest Biome semi-desert of the Northern Cape into a fair- South Africa’s only significant forests are yland. After rain, the drab landscape is sud- those of Knysna and Tsitsikamma in the denly covered from horizon to horizon with a Western and Eastern Cape, respectively. multicoloured flower carpet (from August to Other reasonably large forest patches that October, depending on the rainfall). are officially protected are in the high-rainfall This is a winter-rainfall area with extremely areas of the eastern escarpment, and on dry and hot summers. Succulents with thick, the eastern seaboard. Forest giants such as fleshy leaves are plentiful. Most trees have yellowwood (Podocarpus spp.), ironwood white trunks to reflect the heat. (Olea capensis) and lemonwood (Xymalos The quiver tree (Aloe dichotoma) and the monospora) dominate. human-like elephant’s trunk (Pachypodium The indigenous forests are a magical namaquanum) are prominent in the Rich- world of ferns, lichens, and colourful forest tersveld. Grass is scarce. birds such as the Knysna loerie, the endan- The animal life is similar to that of neigh­ gered Cape parrot and the rameron pigeon. bouring biomes (Fynbos and Nama-Karoo). Mammals include the endangered samango The Succulent Karoo Biome includes monkey, bushpig, bushbuck and the delicate 2 800 plant species at increased risk of blue duiker. extinction. Thicket Biome Fynbos Biome The Thicket Biome is the second-smallest The Fynbos Biome is one of the six accepted biome in South Africa, and is known for its floral kingdoms of the world. This region high biodiversity. covers only 0,04% of the land surface of the Subtropical thicket ranges from closed globe. shrub­land to low forest, dominated by ever- Fynbos is found mainly in the Western green succulent trees, shrubs and vines. Cape. It is often impenetrable and has little her- Fynbos is the name given to a group of baceous cover. Roughly 20% of the species ever-green plants with small, hard leaves in the Thicket Biome are endemic to it. (such as those in the Erica family). It is The Thicket Biome is centred predomi- nantly in the Eastern Cape. The Thicket Biome in the Eastern Cape At the end of August 2010, the fourth People supports four species of tortoises: the leo- and Parks Conference took place in KwaZulu- pard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis), angu- i Natal under the theme Conservation for the People with the People. late tortoise (Chersina angulata), tent tor- At the same time, the National Co-Management Frame- toise (Psammobates tentorius) and parrot- work was launched and various issues of transforma- beaked tortoise (Homopus areolatus). tion in the biodiversity and conservation sector were addressed.

195 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs Bioregions of South Africa

Northwest Fynbos Bioregion Southern Namib Desert Bioregion

Southwest Fynbos Bioregion Gariep Desert Bioregion

Southern Fynbos Bioregion Bushmanland Bioregion

South Coast Fynbos Bioregion Upper Karoo Bioregion

Western Fynbos-Renosterveld Bioregion Lower Karoo Bioregion

Eastern Fynbos-Renosterveld Bioregion Drakensberg Grassland Bioregion

West Coast Renosterveld Bioregion Dry Highveld Grassland Bioregion

East Coast Renosterveld Bioregion Mesic Highveld Grassveld Bioregion

Karoo Renosterveld Bioregion Sub-Escarpment Grassland Bioregion

Namaqualand Cape Shrublands Bioregion Central Bushveld Bioregion

West Strandveld Bioregion Mopane Bioregion

West Strandveld Bioregion Lowveld Bioregion

Richtersveld Bioregion Sub-Escarpment Savanna Bioregion

Namaqualand Hardeveld Bioregion Eastern Kalahari Bushveld Bioregion

Namaqualand Sandveld Bioregion Kalahari Dunneveld Bioregion

Knersvlakte Bioregion Albany Thicket

Trans-Escarpment Succulent Karoo Bioregion Indian Ocean Coastal Belt

Rainshadow Valley Karoo Bioregion

Source: Vision Endangered Wildlife Trust Seventeenth Annual

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 196 Desert Biome priority policies and to comply with interna- True desert is found under very harsh en- tional agreements. vironmental conditions, which are even The publication in 2006 of the National more extreme than those found in the Suc- Spatial Biodiversity Assessment by the then culent Karoo and the Nama-Karoo biomes. Department of Environmental Affairs and The climate is characterised by summer Tourism and South African National Biodi- rainfall, but also by high levels of summer versity Institute (Sanbi), revealed that 34% aridity. Rainfall is highly variable from year of South Africa’s ecosystems are threat- to year. Desert is found mostly in Namibia, ened, with 5% critically endangered; while although it does occur in South Africa in the 82% of the 120 main rivers are threatened lower Orange River Valley. and 44% critically endangered. Of the 13 The vegetation of the Desert Biome is groups of estuarine biodiversity, three are in characterised by the dominance of annual critical danger and 12% of marine biozones plants (often annual grasses). This means are under serious threat. that after a rare season of abundant rain, the Because of the geographic spread desert plains can be covered with a sea of and diversity of South Africa’s plant and short annual grass, whereas in drier years, animal species – up to 80% of significant the plains appear bare with the annual bio­diversity lies outside existing protected plants persisting in the form of seeds. areas – a traditional approach to conserva- Perennial plants are usually encountered tion is inadequate. Biodiversity priorities in specialised habitats associated with local have to be integrated with all policies, plans concentrations of water. Common examples and programmes. of such habitats are broad drainage lines or South Africa’s National Biodiver­ ­sity washes. Nearer the coast, coastal fog also Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) guides governs the distribution of certain species conservation and the management of biodi- commonly associated with the desert. versity to ensure sustain­able and equitable The Desert Biome incorporates an abun­d- benefits for all communities. ant insect fauna, which includes many ten- The NBSAP highlights five strategic ebrionid beetles, some of which can use fog objectives, such as the need for a network water. There are also various vertebrates, of protected areas that conserves a sample including reptiles, springbok, ostrich, gems­ of all South Africa’s biodiversity; specifies bok, snakes and geckos. how these are to be realised; and sets five- Some areas in the Desert Biome are for- and 15-year targets for each. mally protected in the Richtersveld National The NBSAP also provides for the Park. entrenchment of biodiversity concerns in production sectors, such as mining and Conserving biodiversity forestry, by focusing on the inclusion of bio- Biodiversity plays a crucial role in sustain- diversity priorities in guidelines and codes of able development and poverty eradication. best practice, and on measures to encour- South Africa as a biodiversity-rich coun- age sustainable production practices. try, is committed to the conservation and The NBSAP informs the creation, in law, sustainable management of biological of the National Biodiversity Framework to resources and is signatory to the following ensure an integrated, coordinated and con- biodiversity-related multila­teral agreements: sistent approach to biodiversity manage­ • CBD ment by organs of state in all spheres of • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety • Ramsar Convention • Convention on International Trade in Important dates: Endangered Species (Cites) World Wetlands Day: 2 February i National Water Week: 19 to 25 March • Convention to Combat Desertification Earth Day: 20 March (UNCCD) World Water Day: 22 March • Convention on Migratory Species. World Meteorological Day: 23 March South Africa’s commitment as a signatory World Environment Day: 5 June World Oceans Day: 8 June to these agreements is shown by its com- World Desertification Day: 17 June pliance with their many requirements and National Arbour Week: 1 to 7 September provisions. South Africa has developed a International Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer: suite of biodiversity-related laws, policies 16 September and programmes, cutting across various World Tourism Day: 27 September World Habitat Day: 4 October government departments to address its National Marine Day: 20 October

197 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs government, non-governmental organisa- • Walter Sisulu, Roodepoort tions (NGOs), the private sector, local com- • Hantam, Nieuwoudtville munities, other stakeholders and the public. • Free State, Bloemfontein Important role players are the South • Karoo Desert, Worcester African Biosystematics Initiative, South Afri- • KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg can Environmental Observation Network, • Lowveld, Nelspruit Biobank South Africa and genebanks. Sanbi operates environmental-education programmes within its national botanical gar- South African National dens, and outreach greening programmes Biodiversity Institute focus on promoting indigenous gardening Sanbi is responsible for exploring, revealing, at disadvantaged schools in surrounding celebrating and championing biodiversity areas. for the benefit and enjoyment of all of South Africa’s people. Biosystematics research and As well as being the custodian of the biodiversity collections National Botanical Gardens’ system, Sanbi The Biosystematics Research and Biodi- is a respected authority in research and has versity Collections Division forms the basis an unmatched research record in the indi- of Sanbi’s research activities. The division genous, naturalised and alien flora of South investigates, classifies, names and docu- and southern Africa, and beyond. Sanbi’s ments southern Africa’s biota. Fundamental research management covers systematics biodiversity information is generated and and collections expansion, conservation made available to other divisions within and applied biodiversity science, and cli- Sanbi, conservation authorities, decision- mate change. and policy-makers, the general public The institute’s Knowledge Management and other stakeholders. The division also and Planning Branch strives to make biodi- incorporates the Ethnobotany Unit based in versity science more available and accessi- Durban and the Data Management Section ble through various mainstreaming projects based in Pretoria. and initiatives. Sanbi is also responsible for The National Herbarium, situated within ensuring that biodiversity knowledge influ- the Pretoria National Botanical Garden, ences policy, management and decision- houses the largest collection of scientific making. plant specimens in southern Africa with over Sanbi’s biome programmes, which focus one million specimens. on South Africa’s biodiversity hotspots, aim The Crompton Herbarium in Cape Town to ensure that the country’s most important focuses mainly on the flora of the winter- biodiversity regions, such as the grasslands, rainfall region of southern Africa, while the wetlands, and succulent Karoo, are pro- KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium in Durban prima- tected in a sustainable and beneficial way. rily focuses on the flora of the subtropical As part of its mandate, Sanbi also monitors eastern region of South Africa, in particular and reports to the Minister of Water and the flora of the province. Environmental Affairs on the status of South South Africa, with its 11 700 endemic plant Africa’s biological diversity – that of listed species, has the richest temperate flora in threatened or protected species, listed eco- the world. Sanbi is increasingly embracing systems and listed invasive species. biodiversity in its broadest sense through Sanbi manages nine national botanical inclusion of the country’s fauna as part of gardens (classified as “conservation gar- its taxonomic research mandate. Sanbi dens”) in five of South Africa’s nine prov- inces. Together, they conserve more than 7 500 ha of natural vegetation. The gardens In August 2010, a medicinal plant-conservation collectively attract over one million visitors project in Limpopo, which is expected to i advance the need for development, promotion a year, are signatories to the International and protection of natural, biological resources Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conserva- in the area, was launched in Maila Village, outside tion, which was launched in 2000, and are Makhado. founding members of the African Botanic The medicinal plants are used to treat various ailments. In South Africa, traditional medicine is the Gardens Network. preferred primary healthcare choice for about 70% of The botanical gardens are: the population. • Kirstenbosh, Cape Town The Department of Environmental Affairs has set • Pretoria aside about R20 million for the implementation of the • Herold Porter, Betty’s Bay project.

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 198 is coordinating a catalogue of all South Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, Africa’s species (at least 100 000), including Limpopo and the Northern Cape. animals, through the South African Tree of Service-providers have been contracted Life Project. by Sanbi to implement the projects in the various sites at provincial level. Biodiversity research The fundamental duties of the service- Applied biodiversity research providers are: The Applied Biodiversity Research Division • the greening of schools with an indi- undertakes and coordinates biodiversity genous garden of no less than 600 m², research that provides a scientific know- supplemented by a vegetable garden of ledge base for decision-making. The diverse no less than 150 m² portfolio of research projects deals with con- • creating jobs for the local community temporary issues relating to the conserva- • developing indigenous gardens and parks tion and sustainable use of biodiversity and in the various communities the contribution of biodiversity to sustainable • developing useful/medicinal plant nurser- development. There is a strong focus on ies at identified sites in various provinces meeting the research needs of the NBSAP • planting street trees and the implementation of the National • greening and landscaping community Environmental Management-Biodiversity graveyards Act (Nemba), 2004 (Act 10 of 2004). • providing training to the workers on the The research is organised into field project to ensure that this improves future weather-station interactive programmes employment opportunities that focus on three broad areas relating to • creating and developing local small, biodiversity conservation and sustainable medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) development: where the projects are being imple- • risks to biodiversity mented. • the value and use of species and ecosys- tems Genetically Modified Organism • understanding the dynamics of species (GMO) research and monitoring and ecosystems of special concern. The GMO Research and Monitoring Unit conducts research and monitoring on the Climate Change and Bio-Adaptation environmental impacts of GMOs in South Division Africa. This includes research on non-target The role of the Climate Change and Bio- organisms, target organisms, gene flow and Adaptation Division is to lead and coordinate ecological impacts. research and communication regarding South Africa adopted GM crops in 1997, South Africa’s response to the biodiversity and produces GM maize, soybean and cot- impacts of climate change. The division ton. does scientific work, and also provides communication and policy products to sup- Working for Wetlands port world-leading efforts by the Department In 2009 alone, the Working for Wetlands of Environmental Affairs in climate-change Project rehabilitated 95 wetlands in all responses. nine provinces and in the process, created The division focuses on the globally employment for more than 1 500 people and unique mega-diverse winter-rainfall biomes 250 small businesses. (Fynbos and Succulent Karoo) and on the The programme is implemented by Sanbi Nama-Karoo and savanna biomes in the on behalf of the departments of environ- summer rainfall region. It also collaborates mental affairs; of agriculture, forestry and widely with a number of research groups in southern Africa, Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States of In October 2010, the National Wildlife Crime America. Reaction Unit was established with the aim of i responding to wildlife crimes and more spe- Greening the Nation Programme cifically, the upsurge of rhino poaching and the smuggling of rhino horn. The Greening the Nation Programme is The unit is led by the Department of Environmental a Department of Environmental Affairs- Affairs, but includes members from the South African funded programme, which started in 2005. Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority, It has been implemented by Sanbi in seven South African National Parks and Ezemvelo KwaZulu- provinces, namely Western Cape, Eastern Natal Wildlife.

199 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs fisheries; and of water affairs. It forms part of Grasslands Programme the Government’s Expanded Public Works The Grasslands Programme is a partner- Programme (EPWP), which seeks to draw ship between government, the private and unemployed people into the productive sec- academic sector, and civil society with the tor of the economy. aim of sustaining and securing the rich biodiversity and ecosystem services of the National Municipal Biodiversity Grassland Biome. The programme provides Programme an enabling environment for mainstream- Sanbi, in partnership with the former depart- ing biodiversity in production landscapes, ments of provincial and local government including agriculture, forestry, urban devel- and environmental affairs and tourism, has opment and coal mining. initiated the National Municipal Biodiversity Programme. The objective of the programme Cape Action for People and the is to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystem Environment Programme services are effectively managed and are CAPE has 23 signatory partners that all aim contributing to sustainable economic devel- to conserve and restore the biodiversity of opment and human well-being in municipal- the Cape Floristic Region and the adjacent ities across South Africa. marine environment, while delivering signif- icant benefits to the people of the region. Urban Nature Programme CAPE has also enabled donor funding to Urban ecosystems are key to survival and be channelled into new areas of work and sustainability of the human habitat. Sanbi’s new approaches to conservation, including Urban Nature Programme engages with landscape initiatives, conservation steward- ecological science, agencies of local gov- ship, business and biodiversity, fine-scale ernance and civil society, to promote this planning, catchment management, conser- environmental perspective. vation education and strengthening institu- Urban Conservation is engaged with the tions. implementation of three key projects: • Cape Flats Nature, which works with the Succulent Karoo Ecosystem city to engage the communities of Mitch- Programme ell’s Plain, Hanover Park, Manenberg, The succulent Karoo stretches from the Macassar, Khayelitsha and Atlantis in Klein Karoo up the west coast through care, use and management of biodiversity Namaqualand and into Namibia. The biome assets in their neighbourhoods has a wealth of unique biodiversity but has • Working for Wetlands Peninsula Wetlands been severely damaged by human activities Restoration Project, which is a poverty- such as mining, overgrazing and ostrich alleviation and skills-development project farming. within the EPWP SKEP is a long-term, multistakeholder • Green Futures, a horticultural skills- bioregional conservation and development development project. partnership programme that aims to encour- age the people of the succulent Karoo to Bioregional and ecosystem take ownership of, and enjoy, their unique programmes living landscape in a way that maintains Sanbi coordinates a number of bioregional biodiversity and improves livelihoods. and ecosystem programmes. Bioregional Planning for SKEP started in 2001. From programmes are biome-wide biodiversity 2003, funding from the Critical Ecosystem initiatives that coordinate a wide range of Partnership Fund focused on catalysing and multisectoral projects with integrated con- programme start-up. From 2009, with the servation and development outcomes. coordination unit housed by Sanbi, SKEP is Sanbi coordinates the Grasslands Pro- focused on consolidating its objectives into gramme, the Fynbos Programme, Cape national and regional government and other Action for People and the Environment programmes and ensuring sustainability. (CAPE), the Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Conservation International is a key imple- Programme (SKEP) and the Eastern Cape mentation partner of SKEP. Bioregional Programme. It also coordinates two ecosystem pro- Eastern Cape Bioregional Programme grammes, namely the Marine Ecosystem Sanbi coordinates the Eastern Cape Programme and the Freshwater Ecosystem Implementation Committee (ECIC), which Programme. is a cooperative governance committee established in partnership with the Eastern

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 200 Cape Department of Economic Develop- of threatened plants and the other on the ment and Environmental Affairs. The ECIC conservation of threatened animals. is a multistakeholder committee through The threatened plant component of the which participating agencies can coordinate TSP has conducted Red List conservation- biodiversity-related activities and align en- status assessments of all 20 476 plant taxa vironmental, social and economic develop- in South Africa. Internatio­nally, only 4% of the ment goals. world’s plant species have been assessed. The Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Plan- The vast task of assessing South Afr­ica’s ning and Deve­lopment Project is a partner- plants has resulted in an additional 6% of ship project aimed at building capacity for the worlds flora being assessed, bringing Eastern Cape land-use planners and deci- the total global assessments to over 10%. sion-makers. Through this project, Sanbi The threatened plant monitoring project, hosted training workshops to guide the use Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wild- of the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conserva- flowers, which involves volunteers from tion Plan in municipal planning processes to a range of socio-economic and cultural support sustainable economic growth. backgrounds in the monitoring and conser- vation of threatened plants, has expanded Marine Ecosystem Programme with seven new volunteer groups starting The Marine Ecosystem Programme has in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the been a partnership between Sanbi, the Eastern Cape. World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa The threatened animal component of the (WWF-SA) and Marine and Coastal Man- TSP coordinates several projects, which agement. The programme has focused on aim to capture species-occurrence records its flagship project, the Offshore Biodiversity for groups of animals through public partici- Initiative, which promotes ecosystem-based pation. The information from these projects management of South African’s marine terri- is used to produce conservation assess- tory through the establishment of a network ments. of offshore marine protected areas (MPAs) and cooperative biodiversity management. Knowledge and information Through this initiative, offshore industries, management government and civil society are working Sanbi developed the Knowledge and Infor- together to secure the overall health of off- mation Management Strategy to coordinate shore marine ecosystems to meet the needs and manage all of Sanbi’s information of present and future generations. resources. The South African Biodiversity Information Facility (Sabif) portal was trans- Freshwater Programme ferred to Sanbi from the National Research This programme aims to expand and con- Foundation (NRF). The Sabif includes a solidate the freshwater activities within network of data-providers and promotes Sanbi. This includes management of the the sharing of data and information under a Working for Wetlands Programme on behalf common set of standards. of the departments of water affairs; of envi- Sabif is a network comprising key national ronmental affairs; and of agriculture, forestry partners and stakeholders who provide data and fisheries. through the Sabif portal and the end users of the data. These include museums, her- Assessing and monitoring baria, universities, conservation agencies, indigenous fauna and flora government agencies and departments and Biodiversity planning NGOs. Sanbi continues to support the initiation and The Biodiversity Geographical Informa- development of provincial biodiversity plans, tion System (BGIS) provides access to spa- which are used as the basis for provincial tial biodiversity information on the website protected area-expansion strategies and (http://sanbi.bgis.org) to inform biodiversity the publishing of bioregional plans. planning, research and land-use decision- making. Sanbi is mandated with monitoring Assessing and monitoring the status of the country’s biodiversity, has threatened flora and fauna developed the National Monitoring and Sanbi’s Threatened Species Programme Reporting Framework and identified a set (TSP) focuses on assessing and monitor- of headline indicators to achieve this. These ing threatened species and includes two indicators provide key statistics to give a subprogrammes: one on the conservation quantitative measure of the status of various

201 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs aspects of biodiversity. Sanbi developed Wilderness areas the Species Status Database (http://www. These areas are extensive in size, unin- speciesstatus.sanbi.org), which provides a habited and underdeveloped, and access is centralised storage location for information strictly controlled with no vehicles allowed. on the status of South African species. The highest management priority is the main­tenance of the intrinsic wilderness Protected areas character. The CBD, to which South Africa is a sig- Examples of wilderness areas are the natory, requires that 10% of the terres- Cederberg Wilderness Area and Dassen trial and 20% of marine biodiversity be Island in the Western Cape, and the Bavi- conserved by 2010. There are a number aanskloof Wilderness Area in the Eastern of management categories of protected Cape. areas in South Africa, which conform to the accepted categories of the International National parks Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). South African National Parks (SANParks) South Africa aims to expand the conserva- promotes the conservation of the coun- tion areas under formal protection from 6% try’s natural and cultural heritage at local, to the international standard of 10% of the national and international level, and plays total area of the country. The Department of an important role in promoting ecotourism. Environmental Affairs has developed mech- South Africa’s national parks are the: anisms for the establishment and expansion • Addo Elephant National Park of protected areas. • Agulhas National Park The expansion of protected areas is also • Augrabies Falls National Park important within the borders of the country, • Bontebok National Park and a scientifically based expansion plan, • Camdeboo National Park the National Protected Area Expansion • Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Strategy has been approved. Wilderness) National Park This strategy not only focuses on the • Golden Gate Highlands National Park expansion of the protected area estate on • Karoo National Park government-owned land, but also on private • Kruger National Park properties in priority biodiversity areas. The • Mapungubwe National Park Biodiversity Stewardship Programme is a • Marakele National Park tool developed to achieve the expansion • Mokala National Park of the conservation estate on private land • Mountain Zebra National Park as well as the sustainable utilisation of • Namaqua National Park resources in the productive landscape. This • Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier National programme has already been implemented Park in two provinces, and another four have • Table Mountain National Park (which established mechanisms for implementa- incorporates the Cape of Good Hope, tion. Table Mountain and Silvermine nature The department has committed significant reserves) financial resources towards the expansion of • Tankwa Karoo National Park formal protected areas, bringing the number • West Coast National Park. of national parks to 18, and the total formal In 2009/10, SANParks recorded a 0,8% conservation estate to four million hectares. growth with an overall occupancy of 73,3%. Since 2004, the department has declared The unit nights sold totalled 531 018 com- four new MPAs, thus increasing the total pared with the 521 018 sold in 2008/09. coastline under protection to 20%.

Scientific reserves In July 2010, one of South Africa’s oldest Scientific reserves are sensitive and wine estates, Vergelegen, announced that its un­disturbed areas managed for research, i Camellia Garden had been recognised by the moni­toring and the maintenance of genetic International Camellia Society. The estate has one of only 17 dedicated Camellia gardens in the world sources. Access is limited to researchers and only two in the southern hemisphere. The Camellia and staff. Examples of such areas are Mar- Garden is one of 10 gardens on the estate covering ion Island and the Prince Edward islands 10 hectares. In recognition of ongoing efforts to restore near Antarctica. indigenous fauna and flora on the estate, it was also re- cognised for being the first champion of the Biodiversity in Wine Initiative.

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 202 SANParks flagship project, the Wild Card, sustainable, while still protecting terrestrial continues to be one of the most popular loy- or coastal ecosystems. alty programmes. In 2009, the organisation The United Nations Educational, Scientific sold 105 687 cards. and Cultural Organisation’s (Unesco’s) Man Efforts to transform the national parks and the Biosphere Programme addresses visitors’ demographics is continuing to yield the impact of man on the environment by good results. studying the social, ecological and eco- In 2009, 406 085 visitors visited the parks, nomic implications of biodiversity loss. representing an increase of 17,5% from It then takes steps to minimise this loss 2008. through the sharing of knowledge, research In the 2009/10 financial year, SANParks and monitoring, education and training and recorded R598 512 million in tourism multilateral decision-making. income. Biosphere reserves are nominated by their governments for inclusion in the Man Transfrontier conservation and the Biosphere Programme. areas (TFCAs) Whether they are terrestrial, freshwater, A TFCA is a cross-border region. The con- coastal or marine in nature, all are experi- servation status of the areas within a TFCA mental areas where different approaches ranges from national parks, private game to integrated environmental management reserves and communal natural-resource are tested. This is important as it helps to management areas to hunting-concession deepen the knowledge of what works in areas. conservation and sustainable development. Although fences, highways, railway lines South Africa’s biosphere reserves or other barriers separate the constituent include: areas, they are managed jointly for long- • Vhembe, situated in the north-east of term sustainable use of natural resources. Limpopo, includes the northern part of Unlike in transfrontier parks, free movement the Kruger National Park; the Makuleke of animals between the components of a Wetland, which are protected under the TFCA is not always possible. Ramsar Convention; the Soutpansberg TFCAs aim to facilitate and promote and Blouberg biodiversity hot spots; and regional peace, cooperation and socio-eco- the Makgabeng Plateau, which boasts nomic development. The success of TFCAs hundreds of rock-art sites. depends on community involvement. In turn, • The 100 000-ha Kogelberg Reserve on TFCAs are likely to provide local commun- the country’s southern coast sits in the ities with opportunities to generate revenue. middle of the Cape Floral Region and is TFCAs are expected to allow tourists easy home to 1 880 different plant species, 77 movement across international boundaries of which are found only in this region. into adjoining conservation areas. • The Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve The seven TFCAs are as follows: starts in Cape Town in the southern • Ai-Ais/Richtersveld TFCA suburb of Diep River and stretches up • Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park the west coast as far as the Berg River, • Kavango-Zambezi encompassing parts of the Cape Floral • Greater Mapungubwe (former Limpopo- Region. The reserve includes the Shashe) TFCA Ramsar-protected Langebaan Lagoon as • Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park well as Dassen Island, a penguin colony. • Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and The Koeberg Nuclear Power Station falls Resource Area within its boundaries. • Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Con- • The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve servation and Development Area. includes a part of the Cape Floral Region as well as the wine-growing region. The Biosphere reserves historic settler-founded towns of Stellen- The National Environmental Management: bosch, Paarl and Franschhoek lie here. Protected Areas Amendment Act, 2004 • In the northern reaches of South Africa protects South Africa’s biosphere reserves, lies the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, which are generally formed around existing an area of some 400 000 ha in Limpopo. core conservation areas. It is an important catchment area for the Biosphere reserves exist in partnership with Limpopo Basin, with four large rivers a range of interested land-owners, and can originating within its borders – the Lepha- incorporate develop­ment, as long as it is lale, Mokolo, Matlabas and Magalakwena

203 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs rivers. San rock art abounds, as does the July 2005 to include the Taung skull fossil flora and fauna of the area. site in North West and the Mokopane Valley • The Kruger-to-Canyons Biosphere in Limpopo. Reserve is so named because it stretches The Cradle of Humankind has one of the from the Kruger National Park to the Blyde world’s richest concentrations of hominid River Canyon. It is an important conserva- fossils, evidence of human evolution over tion area in South Africa as it also covers the past 3,5 million years. three biomes. Found in Gauteng and North West, the fossil sites cover an area of 47 000 ha. The National and cultural remains of ancient forms of animals, plants monuments and hominids are captured in a bed of These are natural or cultural features, or dolomite deposited around 2,5 billion years both, and may include botanical gardens, ago. zoo­logical gardens, natural heritage sites Although other sites in south and east and sites of conservation significance. Africa have similar remains, the cradle has produced more than 950 hominid fos- World heritage sites sil specimens. The Richtersveld Cultural By August 2010, the World Heritage List and Botanical Landscape was declared a included 911 properties forming part of world heritage site in June 2007. It covers the cultural and natural heritage. These 160 000 ha of dramatic mountainous desert included 704 cultural, 180 natural and 27 in the north-west of South Africa. It is the mixed properties in 151 state parties. By only area where the Nama still construct June 2010, 187 state parties had ratified the portable rush-covered domed houses, or World Heritage Convention. Iharu oms. The South Africa World Heritage Conven- tion Committee is responsible for identify- Habitat- and ing possible world heritage sites in South wildlife-management areas Africa and coordinating the convention. These areas are subject to human interven- The World Heritage Convention Act, 1999 tion, based on research into the require- (Act 49 of 1999), allows for cultural and nat- ments of specific species for survival. They ural sites in South Africa to be granted world include conservancies; provincial, regional heritage status. The convention obliges the or private reserves created for the conser- South African Government to guarantee its vation of species habitats or biotic com- implementation, ensure legal protection and munities; marshes; lakes; and nesting and develop management plans and institu­tional feeding areas. structures for periodic monitoring. The Act makes the principles of the con- Protected land and seascapes vention applicable to South Africa’s world These areas are products of the harmoni- heritage sites, and further provides for the ous interaction of people and nature, and adequate protection and conservation of include natural environments protected in these sites to promote tourism in a culturally terms of the Environment Conservation Act, and environmentally responsible way. 1989 (Act 73 of 1989), scenic landscapes South Africa has eight world heritage sites and historical urban landscapes. proclaimed by Unesco, namely Robben Island; the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park; the Sustainable-use areas hominid sites at Swartkrans, Sterkfontein These areas emphasise the sustainable and Kromdraai (known as the Cradle of use of protected areas such as the Kosi Bay Humankind); the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Lake System in KwaZulu-Natal. Park (a mixed natural and cultural site); the Nature areas in private ownership are pro- Mapungubwe Heritage Site; the Cape Floral claimed and managed to curtail undesirable Kingdom; the Vredefort Dome; and the Rich- development in areas with high aesthetic or tersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape. conservation potential. The Vredefort Dome is an ancient extra­ terrestrial impact site spanning the Free State and North West provinces. Formed In April 2010, South Africa hosted the BASIC two billion years ago, it is the world’s most Ministerial Climate Change meeting in Cape ancient meteorite impact site and the third- i Town. The BASIC group comprises environ- ment ministers from South Africa, India, China largest, measuring140 km across. and Brazil. The world heritage status of Sterkfon- tein’s fossil hominid sites was extended in

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 204 Conservancies are formed to involve the Affairs is responsible for the South African ordinary landowner in conservation. Land- Wetlands Conservation Programme. The owners can establish a conser­vancy where programme ensures that South Africa’s obli- conservation principles are integrated with gations in terms of the Ramsar Convention normal farming activities. are met. The programme aims to protect wetlands Wetlands in South Africa against degradation and By February 2010, about 115 000 wetlands destruction, while striving for the ideal in covering over four million ha and compris- wise and sustainable use of resources, to ing close to 4% of the country’s total surface ensure that the ecological and socio-eco- area were mapped in South Africa. These nomic functions of wetlands are sustained wetlands are part of the natural infrastruc- for the future. ture for gathering, managing and delivering South Africa is a member of Wetlands water for human use. International, an international body dedi- Many wetlands are able to improve cated to conserving the world’s wetlands. water quality, reduce flood impacts, control The Working for Wetlands Programme erosion and sustain river flows. Of special focuses on wetland restoration, while max- importance is the role wetlands play in imising employment creation; support for ensuring a steady supply of clean water for SMMEs; and transfer of skills to the bene­ communities and helping government save ficiaries of the programme’s projects. hundreds of millions of rands that would be World Wetlands Day marks the date of the required to set up purification. signing of the Convention of Wetlands on In 2010, South Africa designated its 20th 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ram- wetland of international importance, which sar. was also its seventh in KwaZulu-Natal. The Ntsikeni Nature Reserve, located in an Zoological gardens area rich in wetlands, is one of the largest Established in 1899 and given national sta- high-altitude wetlands in South Africa and tus in 1916, the National Zoological Garden has undergone the least ecological change (NZG) in Pretoria is the largest zoo in South due to the protective measures in place as Africa and probably the only zoo in the world a nature reserve. to have been declared a national research It is recognised as the second most facility. It is rated among the top-10 zoos in important breeding site for wattled crane in the world. South Africa, and also as significant to the It plays a major role in the conservation endangered long-toed tree frog, Oribi, and of wildlife, maintaining one of the largest other wetland-dependent mammals. animal collections in Africa, and is made up Wetlands include a wide range of inland of over 7 000 individual animal specimens and coastal habitats – from mountain bogs representing over 600 species. and fens to midland marshes, swamp for- The species are managed across four ests and estuaries, linked by green corridors sites stretching into the provinces of Gau- of stream bank wetlands. teng, Limpopo and North West. About 70% South Africa became a contracting of the species are of African origin and 30% party to the Ramsar Convention in 1975. of global representation. The country’s Ramsar sites include the As a member of the World Association Nylsvley Nature Reserve; Blesbokspruit; of Zoos and Aquaria and the African Zoo Barberspan; Seekoeivlei; Ukhahlamba- Association, the NZG participates in several Drakensberg Park; Ndumo Game Reserve; endangered species-management pro- Isimangaliso consisting of Kosi Bay, coastal forest, Lake Sibaya, Sodwana Bay, uMkhuze, False Bay, Charters Creek, Lake The Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative and the St Lucia, Cape Vidal and Maphelane; the Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable turtle beaches and coral reefs of Tongaland; i Development (BCSD) Project, and two Cape Wilderness lakes; De Hoop Vlei; De Mond Action for People and the Environment (CAPE) projects, received top ratings for project implementa- State Forest; Langebaan; Verlorenvlei; tion from the United Nations Development Programme the Orange River Mouth Wetland; and the (UNDP) for 2009. These projects were funded by the Makuleke Wetland. Global Environment Facility through the World Bank The IUCN identifies wetlands as the third and the UNDP. The South African National Biodiversity most important support system on Earth. Institute’s Fynbos Programme provides coordination for The Directorate: Biodiversity Manage- both the CAPE partnership and the BCSD Project. ment of the Department of Environmental

205 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs grammes and successfully breeds several It will include research that is conducted endangered species of both continental and on the public interface in cooperation with global significance. the commercial services, business develop- Among the endangered species the NZG ment, conservation, education and public- contributes in conserving are the cheetah, engagement departments. This specific rhino, ground hornbills, red-billed oxpeckers research will enhance the NZG’s ability to and several endangered antelope species. engage with visitors. (See Chapter 19: Science and technology.) The establishment of the centre marks The 85-ha zoo in Pretoria houses 3 117 a milestone in the history of the NZG and specimens of 209 mammal species, 1 358 places it among a select few zoos that have specimens of 202 bird species 3 871 speci- dedicated research capacity. mens of 190 fish species, 388 specimens of The Johannesburg Zoological Gardens, four invertebrate species, 309 specimens or Johannesburg Zoo, celebrated its of 93 reptile species, and 44 specimens of centenary in 2004. The core business of seven amphibian species. These figures Johannesburg Zoo, which is registered as a comprise the animals housed at the zoo in non-profit company, is the accommodation, Pretoria as well as at the two biodiversity enrich­ment, husbandry and medical care of conservation centres in Lichtenburg in the wild animals. North West, and Mokopane in Limpopo, It is also renowned for its successful and the satellite zoo and animal park at the breeding programmes involving several Emerald Animal World complex in Vander- endangered South African bird species such bijlpark. as the wattled crane and ground hornbill. The NZG is the largest zoo in the country The zoo covers 54 ha and houses more and more than 600 000 people visit it annu- than 2 000 animals from 365 species. ally. The total length of its walkways is about 6 km. Breeding centres An aquarium and reptile park also form There are a number of game-breeding part of the zoo facility in Pretoria. The centres in South Africa. The NZG of South aquarium is the largest inland aquarium in Africa is responsible for the management the country. of the Lichtenburg Biodiversity Conserva- The Centre for Conservation Science at tion Centre, which covers an area of some the NZG will be used as a platform to create 6 000 ha, and the Mokopane Biodiversity awareness and to promote careers in sci- Conservation Centre, covering an area of ence. The centre’s focus on conservation 1 333 ha. medicine and conservation science places The two centres supplement the zoo’s it in the forefront of innovation in zoo-based breeding programme for various endan- research. gered animals, and the zoo’s own animal As a component of the NRF, the centre collection. will afford access to equipment and a well- The Lichtenburg Biodiversity Conserva- managed animal collection to the research tion Centre houses, among other animals, and student community. Père David’s deer, pygmy hippopotamus, The aim is to build professionals of the white rhinoceros, the endangered addax, future that contribute to biodiversity con- and scimitar-horned and Arabian oryx. servation knowledge on a national and Large herds of impala, springbok, zebra, international level. The general public visit- blesbok and red hartebeest also roam ing the NZG will also be encouraged to walk the area. through the centre and view researchers at About 32 ha of the wetland area at the work. centre have been developed into a system This will enable the NZG to contribute to of dams and pans, which serve as a natural the mandate of creating an awareness of haven for waterbirds such as spoonbills, science and promoting careers in the field. kingfishers, ibises and herons. The centre will also conduct, coordinate The Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation and facilitate biodiversity research as a Centre is home to an abundance of exotic cross-cutting function within the NZG. and indigenous fauna such as lemur, the rare tsessebe, roan antelope and black In April 2010, South Africa handed over rhino. R40 million to the Kingdom of Lesotho for the The De Wildt Cheetah-Breeding and i development of the Maloti-Drakensberg Trans- Research Centre, situated near Pretoria, is frontier Conservation Area. best known for its highly successful captive-

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 206 breeding programme that contributed to the Town, more than 3 000 specimens represent cheetah being removed from the endan- some 300 species of fish, invertebrates, gered list of the South African Red Data mammals, birds and plants supported by Book – Terrestrial Mammals in 1986. the waters along the Cape coast. De Wildt also breeds a number of rare UShaka Marine World in Durban incorp- and endangered African species. The most orates both fresh and sea water, and is the spectacular of these is the magnificent king fifth-largest aquarium in the world by water cheetah, which is a true cheetah, but with a volume. It comprises Sea World, Dolphin variation of coat patterns and colouring. De World, Beach World, and Wet and Wild Wildt also plays a major role in breeding and World. releasing wild dogs. It has donated breeding Sea World incorporates a unique nuclei of the highly endangered riverine rab- ship­wreck-themed aquarium, a penguin bit and suni antelope to the Kruger National rookery and a 1 200-seater dolphin stadium Park. (the largest dolphinarium in Africa). The De Wildt Vulture Unit is a rehabilita- It also offers edutainment tours and spe- tion and holding facility for injured, poisoned cial interactive activities such as snorkelling and disabled vultures. and scuba diving. In addition, it features a The Hoedspruit Endangered Species rocky touch-pool, where visitors can touch Centre in Mpumalanga was initially estab- a starfish or sea cucumber with the help of lished as a breeding programme for the then specially trained guides. endangered cheetah. Following the success of the cheetah-breeding programme, it has Snake and reptile parks evolved into a breeding programme for other The Port Elizabeth Snake Park at Bayworld endangered African animal species. The has a wide variety of South African and centre caters for, among other animals, five foreign reptiles, including tortoises, boa con- species of vulture: Cape griffins, and white- strictors, pythons, crocodiles, lizards and backed, hooded, whiteheaded and lappet- deadly venomous snakes such as cobras, faced vultures. The centre is also known for mambas and rattlers. Rare and threatened its wild-dog-breeding programme. species, including the Madagascar ground The Hoedspruit Research and Breeding boa, are housed safely in realistically land- Programme also includes the rare black- scaped glass enclosures. footed cat, the vulnerable African wild cat, The Aquarium and Reptile Park situated ground hornbills (in cooperation with the at the NZG in Pretoria houses 80 reptile NZG in Pretoria), bald ibis and the endan- species from all over the world. gered blue crane. Elephant, white rhino, The Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and An- buffalo, caracal, Sable antelope, bushbuck imal Park near Pretoria features one of the and tsessebe have also been cared for and finest reptile collections in southern Africa. rehabilitated there. It offers seal shows and snake-handling demonstrations. Aquaria The Pure Venom Reptile Farm is one of There are well-known aquaria in Pretoria, the largest of South Africa’s reptile parks. Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban and It is situated inland from Shelly Beach, on East London. KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast. The Aquarium and Reptile Park of the The CrocRiver Enviro Park, located in NZG is the largest inland aquarium in Africa, Nelspruit, is the largest facility of its type with the largest collection of fresh­water fish. in Africa. The park offers, among other It is also the only aquarium in South Africa things, turtle, crocodile and fish ponds; and that exhibits a large variety of marine fish the water- monitor lizard pond; the Desert in artificial sea water and the only inland House, in which a desert-like atmosphere aquarium housing ragged tooth sharks. The Port Elizabeth Oceanarium is one of the city’s major attractions. Exhibits include In May 2010, South Africa repatriated 32 of the an underwater observation area, a dolphin black rhino species, Diceros bicornis michaeli, i which is not indigenous to this country, to research centre, various smaller tanks of 40 Tanzania following a request by the Tanzanian different species of bony fish and two larger wildlife authorities. tanks that display sharks and stingrays. About two decades ago, eight individuals of this rhino East London has a smaller aquarium. species were imported to South Africa. This has led At the Two Oceans Aquarium situated to the alien species becoming a gene pool to restore depleted communities. at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape

207 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs was created, and which is home to the reptile and four-wheel vehicles, which include 2x4 gallery where indigenous and exotic reptiles and 4x4 motor vehicles. from all over the world are displayed. Following the successful implementation Khamai Reptile Park’s primary aims are of the 4x4 regulations that provide for the conservation, breeding of endangered controlled use of off-road vehicles in coastal reptiles and education. Located outside zones, the monitoring of certain stretches of Hoedspruit, it offers a close-up look at many coast has indicated that the banning of off- local as well as exotic snakes, crocodiles road vehicles has enabled several shore- and lizards. breeding birds, especially Damara tern and Fitzsimons Snake Park is one of South the African black oystercatcher, to breed Africa’s oldest and most well-known snake successfully on beaches once more. parks. The park is located on Durban’s According to conservationists from Ezem- Golden Mile. This special snake park is not velo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, the number of just a tourist attraction, but the facility is also loggerhead and leatherback turtles hatching used to collect venom for the production of successfully on the beaches of northern anti-snake-bite serum. KwaZulu-Natal has also increased since the ban was enforced. Conservation challenges and initiatives Coastal management South Africa faces many of the problems The Integrated Coastal Management Act, experienced by developing countries, in 2008 (Act 24 of 2008), came into opera- which rapid industrialisation, population tion in December 2009. This is a significant growth and urbanisation pose a threat to milestone representing the country’s first the quality of the ­environment. The Depart- legislative instrument towards a holistic and ment of Environmental Affairs is reforming integrated approach to the conservation and environ­mental law to introduce reform in management of the South African coastline. biodiversity conservation, pollution, waste The purpose of the Coastal Management management and environmental planning. Act, 2008 is to: • provide a legal and administrative Environmental impact framework that will promote cooperative, management coordinated and integrated coastal devel- South Africa’s new environmental impact opment assessment (EIA) regulations came into • preserve, protect and enhance the status effect in August 2010, signalling the start of of the coastal environment as the heritage the official implementation process of a new that belongs to all regime aimed at improving the efficiency • ensure coastal resources are managed in and effectiveness of EIA. the interest of the whole community The 2010 EIA regulations: • ensure there is equitable access to the • seek to streamline the EIA process opportunities and benefits derived from • introduce an approach where impact on the coast the environment is getting more attention • give effect to certain of South Africa’s • introduce a listing notice dedicated to international legal obligations. activities planned for predefined sensitive This Act declares the seashore, coastal areas. waters (including estuaries) and South Africa’s territorial seas to be coastal public 4x4 regulations The Strategy Towards Co-Regulation of the Off-Road Sector in South Africa aims to min- The Isimangaliso Wetland Park, a world imise the impact of off-road driving on the heritage site that spans 332 000 ha along the environment by giving direction to off-road i north-eastern coast of South Africa, received a US$9-million grant (about R65,7 million) users and owners to develop and use inland in March 2010 for empowerment projects in the area. routes in sensitive areas in a responsible The grant came from the Global Environment Facility manner. This requires drivers and riders through the World Bank. to gain competence through appropriate Isimangaliso, which means “miracle and wonder”, training, off-road guides to be qualified and contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, 700-year old fishing traditions, most of registered, and trails and tracks to meet South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s largest specified criteria. The strategy is applicable estuarine system, 526 bird species and 25 000 year-old to the inland recreational use of off-road coastal dunes – among the highest in the world. vehicles, including two-wheel, three-wheel

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 208 property. It therefore also requires the State Prince Edward islands in the Southern to act as the trustee of coastal public prop- Ocean. erty. The new preserve, roughly the size of There is recognition of the challenges the state of Oklahoma, is to be known as regarding the management of ocean spaces the Prince Edward Islands MPA, and will in South Africa’s adjacent ocean areas. be South Africa’s 21st marine preserve. It Estuaries, the interface of river and sea will be the fourth-largest ocean preserve on water, represent important water bodies cru- Earth. The new preserve will also be South cial for the functioning. Of the 200 estuaries Africa’s first offshore protected area. found along the South African coast, 25% In October 2009, South Africa and are in a degraded state. This degradation Mozambique joined forces to create Africa’s is due to inappropriate developments along largest MPA. the banks and in the catchment areas. The Mozambique declared its first MPA at department will focus its attention proac- Ponta do Ouro, which links with South tively on these degraded systems and will Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park to cre- prioritise developing management plans that ate Africa’s first transfrontier marine conser- will seek to improve functioning of estuaries vation area. in associated hinterlands. The MPA stretches from St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to Ponta do National Policy for Seals and Oura, Mozambique. The Mozambique MPA, Seabirds Reserva Marinha Parcial da Ponta do Ouro, The National Policy for Seals and Seabirds covers 678 km2 and stretches three nautical in South Africa and the National Plan of miles out to sea. It includes the Inhaca and Action for Seabirds, aimed at reducing the Portugese islands and the Maputo Special incidental catch of seabirds in longline fish- Reserve. eries, have been finalised. Southern Mozambique is a vital nursery This follows growing concern over the for commercially important fish populations, numbers of seabirds, especially albatrosses, with fish, larvae and eggs carried in south- being killed by longline vessels. The plan flowing currents into South Africa’s iSiman- sets out the required mitigation measures galiso Wetland Park. to reduce mortality of seabirds to below an The protected area also contains sensi- interim target level of 0,05 birds/thousand tive breeding grounds of leatherback and hooks by South Africa’s longline fisheries for loggerhead turtles, currently threatened hake, tuna, swordfish,­ Patagonian toothfish by human encroachment and uncontrolled and sharks. harvesting of their eggs. South Africa ratified the Agreement on Activities such as semi-industrial and the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels industrial fishing, fishing on the coral reefs, (ACAP) in November 2003. It is a multi- fishing with explosives, driving of motorised lateral agree­ment that seeks to conserve vehicles on the beach and construction, alba­trosses and petrels by coordinating other than approved developments, are now inter­national activity to mitigate known prohibited in the protected area. threats to albatross and petrel populations. South Africa played a key role in negotiating Marine pollution and the ACAP, and is home to many important sustainability populations of these seabirds, including With 80% of the marine pollution emanating those on the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward from land-based activities, the Department islands. of Environmental Affairs will be implement- ing the national Programme of Action for Marine protected areas land-based sources of pollution, while refin- MPAs conserve natural environments and assist in the management of fisheries by The Department of Environmental Affairs protecting and rebuilding economically launched the Kuyasa Clean Development important stocks. Many of the new MPAs i Mechanism Project in 2009 in Khayelitsha will be used to further develop and regulate outside Cape Town. The project involves the coastal ecotourism opportunities. installation of solar energy heaters, the retrofitting of compact fluorescent light bulbs and the introduction of Government shares joint responsibility ceiling insulation. Some 2 000 homes were expected to for South Africa’s MPAs with SANParks and benefit from this initiative. The project aims to reduce Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife. fossil fuel-based consumption, and hence carbon- In 2009, South Africa proclaimed a new dioxide emissions. MPA, spanning 180 000 km2, around the

209 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs ing strategies for combating marine pollution The National Environmental Compliance and from oil spills. Enforcement Report 2008/09 was released in The department has embarked on a i November 2009. According to the report, 4 661 process to adopt a new protocol on land- environmental cases were reported nationally based sources of marine pollution under between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009. During this period, the total number of criminal dockets registered the amended Nairobi Convention for the was 2 412 compared with 1 762 in the previous report- Protection, Management and Development ing period. of the Marine and Coastal Environment of In May 2010, time slots dedicated to the processing the Western Indian Ocean. of environmental crimes in the existing courts had been South Africa has one of world’s busiest reopened, and launched at the Johannesburg Regional Court in Gauteng. Other pilot sites include Durban ship­ping routes and has experienced many Regional Court in KwaZulu-Natal, Nelspruit Regional oil spills over the years. It is estimated that Court in Mpumalanga and the Hermanus District Court 80% of the world’s tanker traffic passes in the Western Cape. South Africa’s coast. The Department of Environmental Affairs had The then Department of Environmental trained over 300 prosecutors and 200 magistrates on environmental crimes in preparation for this Affairs and Tourism developed the National reopening, and distributed prosecutor manuals on en- Contin­gency Plan for the Prevention and vironment crimes to the National Prosecuting Authority. Combating of Pollution from Ships, in consul- tation with the South African Maritime Safety Authority and the Department of Transport. Africa, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique and This includes disposing, recovering or sta- Tanzania have signed a memorandum of bilising the spilt oil and rehabilitating the agreement (MoU) that will allow them to environment. share information about the movement of licensed boats along the southern African Sustainable Coastal coast. Livelihoods Programme (SCLP) The SCLP seeks alternative livelihood Partnerships options for communities along the South To further counter illegal fishing and corrup­ African coast to minimise pressure on tion, the former Department of Environmen- marine resources. tal Affairs and Tourism entered into partner- ships with a broad spectrum of agencies, Protecting the coastline including national, provincial and local To counter illegal activities along the coast- government, as well as NGOs. line, as well as the country’s 1 155 000-km2 Other important partnerships have been Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the former forged with specialised units of the South Department of Environmental Affairs and African Police Service. In addition, SAN- Tourism boosted its compliance unit with the Parks and a number of provincial nature- appointment of more than 80 fishery-control conser­vation agencies conduct monitoring, officers (FCOs) and 100 honorary FCOs, control and surveillance activities within the after the implementation­ of the Honorary MPAs. FCO Policy. The department also took deliv- ery of four environ­mental-protec­tion vessels International cooperation as part of measures to protect marine and South Africa is a signatory to a range of coastal resources. multilateral agreements related to marine Lillian Ngoyi, Ruth First and Victoria resources and protecting the marine en- Mxenge patrol up to the 200 nautical-mile vironment. In terms of protecting the marine limit from the shore. Sarah Baartman patrols environment, these include the London Con- the most remote reaches of the EEZ and vention on Dumping at Sea; the Marine Pol- around the Prince Edward islands. The lution Convention; the Antarctic Treaty; the vessels also conduct multilateral patrols in Abidjan Convention for Cooperation in the the South African Development Community Protection and Development of the Marine (SADC) coastal states. and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African Regions and Related Pro- Vessel monitoring tocols; and the Nairobi Convention for the The department is making it obligatory for Protection, Management and Development fishing vessels to have satellite technology of the Marine and Coastal Environment of on board so that it can monitor their move- the East African Region and Related Proto- ments. Five coastal nations in the SADC cols. have taken the innovative step of linking The sustainable use of the oceans is gov- their vessel-monitoring systems. South erned by the UN Convention on the Law of

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 210 the Sea. South Africa is also a member of iour towards the environment. The effective- several international organisations aimed at ness of waste reduction, recycling and litter the sustainable management of the marine prevention depends to a significant extent environment, such as the International on public and consumer awareness and Marine Organisation and the International changes in behaviour. Seabed Authority. The department and its agencies, Indalo Yethu and Buyisa-eBag, worked on a com- West Indian Ocean Land-Based prehensive national call of action to the Activities Project (WIO-LaB) nation to reduce the throw-away culture and The WIO-LaB Project deals with the protec- create wealth from waste. tion, prevention and management of marine The Radioactive Waste-Management pollution from land-based activities. Policy is a nuclear waste-management plan Commitment was given to this project and strategy that is being implemented, by the main donors, the UN Environmental starting with the creation of the National Programme and the Global Environmental Committee on Radioactive Waste Manage- Facility. The Government is assessing ment. the effect that litter from rivers has on the The National Radioactive Waste-Manage- oceans, is raising awareness of and educat- ment Agency Bill was approved by Cabinet ing communities about the importance of in April 2008. protecting the marine environment from pol- During the processing of the Bill, the lution resulting from land-based activities, department and the Parliamentary Portfolio and has created task teams to deal with Committee agreed that the title of the agency municipal water and the physical alteration be changed to the National Radioactive and destruction of habitats. Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI). The objects of the Bill are to: Waste management • provide for the establishment of the The department intends to break new ground NRWDI in the implementation of its waste-manage- • manage radioactive waste disposal ment policies and legislation through the nationally implementation of the National Environmen- • manage its functions effectively tal Management: Waste Act (Nemwa), 2008 • regulate staff matters (Act 59 of 2008).The Nemwa, 2008 came • manage all relevant functions. into effect in July 2009. The Act seeks to The establishment of the institute will allow address the waste challenges by instituting the operators/generators to focus on their mechanisms of waste avoidance, minimisa- core business. However, the generators tion, reuse, recycling, recovery, appropriate will remain financially responsible for the collection and transport services, and en- disposal of waste. vironmentally sound treatment and dis- This institute will be solely responsible posal. for handling radioactive waste disposal, The National Waste-Management Strat- predisposal management and storage at the egy seeks to respond to challenges in disposal site. respect of specific categories of waste and To measure success on the implementa- describes the application of different instru- tion of policies and strategies, the depart- ments for each waste category. ment has developed a waste-information A policy that seeks to extend the provi- system that will be implemented nationally. sion of free basic refuse removal services The Waste Act, 2008 makes it mandatory to to indigent families in the country will control the growing number of illegal dumping sites. In July 2010, the Commission for the Conser- It was tabled in Parliament in 2010. vation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources In June 2010, the former Minister of Water i (CCAMLR) held two workshops in Cape Town. and Environmental Affairs, Ms Buyelwa South Africa, a full member of the CCAMLR, Sonjica, launched the National Waste Cam- has long participated in conservation in the area through the South African National Antarctic Programme and the paign as part of the World Environment Day research station on Marion Island. celebrations in Soweto. The launch formed South Africa contributes data to the CCAMLR on part of the programme of the Coca-Cola environmental and biodiversity research conducted 2010 FIFA World Cup™ trophy tour. at Marion Island by the Department of Environmental The campaign is part of the Department Affairs. The data relates to understanding the dynamics of climate change in the Southern Ocean, and impacts of Environmental Affairs’ efforts to address on marine biodiversity as well as seabird populations waste reduction and preservation of natural and their long-term trends. habitats, aiming to change society’s behav-

211 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs report waste information to the waste-infor- 2010, the department, together with the mation system. This assists the department South African Weather Service, launched in tracking progress with implementation of the first phase of the South African Air- the legislation. Quality Information System (Saaqis). From the end of March 2010, policy-mak- Air-quality management and ers and the general public able to access climate change centralised air-quality information through Air quality remains an important and chal- a system aimed at reducing pollution in lenging environmental issue in South the country, assessing whether air quality Africa. The legislation governing air-quality is improving and identifying areas where management in South Africa is the National potential air pollution problems exist. Environmental Management: Air Quality Act The system contains the latest updated (AQA), 2004 (Act 39 of 2004). The AQA, data of a location and can give the status 2004 came into full effect in April 2010. In of air quality or pollution according to the addition, the Department of Environmental chosen day and time when checked on the Affairs published the 2007 National Frame- website (www.saaqis.org.za). work for Air-Quality Management in South Reporting stations verify their data before Africa. The national framework is the imple- feeding it directly into this web-based inter- mentation manual of the AQA, 2004 and it active air-quality information system. came into effect on 11 September 2007. There are 42 air-quality monitoring sta- Section 21 of the AQA, 2004 requires the tions reporting to the Saaqis. Most of these Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs stations belong to Mpumalanga, Ethekwini or members of the executive councils of the Municipality, the City of Johannesburg and provinces to identify and publish a list of the City of Tshwane. activities, which result in atmospheric emis- Policy-making will for the first time be sions and associated minimum emission driven by air-quality information, which will standards. In compliance with this section, make it possible for air pollution trends to be the Minister of Water and Environmental determined for each area being monitored. Affairs published a Government Gazette Saaqis is an essential resource for (No. 33064, Government Notice No. 248) improving the country’s air quality. The on 31 March 2010. According to the Sec- Chief Directorate: Air-Quality Management tion 21 list, such activities include mineral, and Climate Change aims to set up 18 metallurgical, chemical processing and ambient air-quality monitoring stations that certain types of waste disposal. In terms of will provide information to the Saaqis. the AQA, 2004, any person conducting a The second phase of the project com- listed activity must apply for an atmospheric menced in the 2010/11 financial year and emission licence. focused on the development of emission Smoke from domestic fires in residential inventories from sources such as industries, settlements is also a significant source of vehicles, households and other significant pollution, particularly in dense, low-income sources. The third and last phase will focus communities. This problem escalates in the on air-pollution modelling, which will enable winter months as more coal fires are lit for real-time forecasting of air pollution similar space heating. to weather forecasting. In June 2010, the department launched The Government and all relevant sectors “Basa njengo magogo” (make fire like of society agreed to pursue a required-by- granny), as part of the “Mollo o Hlwekileng” science scenario of the Long-Term Mitiga- – Better Environment, Improved Health and tion Scenarios (LTMS) Study in a bid to curb Safety Campaign, to change to a method of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. fire-making that reduces smoke by 80%. Based on the South African LTMS, the dif- On the occasion of the celebration of ferent options for climate-change reductions the World Meteorological Day on 23 March have been assessed and it is acknowledged that energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective mitigation options in South In June 2010, the South African Weather Africa. Service implemented the South African flash In March 2009, South Africans from all i flood guidance system in collaboration with spheres of life came together in Midrand, the national Disaster Management Centre to reduce loss of life and property suffered by communities Gauteng, to initiate a consultative process to in major flash flood-prone regions. develop the South African Climate-Change Response Policy. The Climate-Change

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 212 Summit 2009 engaged nearly 900 rep- • sustainable planning resentatives from government, business, the • sustainable energy management scientific and academic communities, civil • waste management. society and over 150 “virtual participants” linked through the Internet. Erosion and desertification The summit initiated a participatory Most South African soil is unstable. The national climate-change policy development country loses an estimated 500 million ton process. sof topsoil annually through erosion caused In line with its commitment to the global by water and wind. effort, South Africa announced that it would About 81% of the total land area of South take nationally appropriate mitigation actions Africa is farmed. However, only 70% of this of a 34% deviation below business as usual area is suitable for grazing. Overgrazing emission growth trajectory by 2020, and and erosion diminish the carrying capacity 42% by 2025. This commitment is neither of the veld and lead to land degradation. additional nor extraneous to the LTMS but is This process has already claimed more than conditional to a legally binding international 250 000 ha of land in South Africa. regime and support with regard to means The Department of Agriculture, Forestry of implementation. The extent to which this and Fisheries administers the Conservation action will be implemented depends on the of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act 43 provision of financial resources, the transfer of 1983), in terms of which various meas- of technology and capacity-building support ures are being implemented to prevent or by developed countries. contain soil erosion. In January 1995, South Africa signed the Urban environmental United Nation Convention to Combat Deser- management tification (UNCCD), which was ratified on 30 The Urban Environmental Management September 1997. The main objectives of Programme (UEMP) is a collaboration the convention include cooperation between between 11 partners from different spheres governments, organisa­tions and commun- of the South African Government, working ities to accomplish sustainable develop- together to improve service delivery to the ment, especially where water resources are citizens of South Africa. scarce. The programme aims to alleviate poverty The convention aims to support member and build capacity for local environmentally countries in Africa to prevent desertification sustainable services. It began in April 2006 and its consequences. These countries sup- with a five-year budget of 220 million Dan- port one another at technical and scientific ish krone, and is a continuation of more than level, as they share similar climatic condi- 10 years of environmental collaboration tions. between South Africa and Denmark. South Africa also acts as coordinator for The South African partners are respon- the Valdivia Group for Desertification. sible for the implementation and progress The group consists of countries in the of the programme. Each partner proposes southern hemisphere, namely Australia, activities in its normal business plan, which New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, is then funded through the UEMP. South Africa and Brazil, whose aim it is to, The UEMP focuses on the following among other things, foster scientific and themes: technological cooperation. • air quality The country has introduced legislation • environmental health such as the National Environmental Man- agement: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004), to promote the conservation of bio- In October 2010, a delegation comprising senior diversity, and fight desertification and land government officials within the environmental degradation. i sector from national departments, provincial departments and conservation authorities, led As part of the UN international campaign by the Department of Environmental Affairs, attended to tackle global environmental deterioration the 10th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the and in particular combating dry lands de- Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan. gradation, which cover up to one-quarter of South Africa supported recommendations that articulate the world’s land surface, the UN has desig- the role of biodiversity in climate-change mitigation and adaptation. nated 17 June as the “World Day to Combat Desertification.” The celebration of this day

213 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs marks the anniversary of the adoption of the International cooperation UNCCD. United Nations Framework The 2010 theme of the World Day to Convention on Climate Change Combat Desertification was Enhancing (UNFCC) Soils Anywhere, Enhance Life Everywhere, South Africa ratified the UNFCCC in 1997. in line with the international year dedicated The convention is a global commitment to to biodiversity. With this theme, the UNCCD take collective responsibility for climate aimed to sensitise the public to the fact change, and is a mandate for action to that desertification, land degradation and address the problem. drought dramatically affect the biodiversity The convention was signed at the Rio resident in soil. Earth Summit in 1992 by heads of state and other senior representatives from 154 Recycling countries (and the European Community), The Department of Environmental Affairs and came into effect on 21 March 1994. has an MoU with the Glass-Recyclers Asso- Since mid-1998, some 175 states have ciation of South Africa. ratified or acceded to the convention. In August 2009, the Glass Recycling The objective of the convention is to stab- Company installed over 800 new glass ilise GHG concentrations in the atmo­sphere at banks in South Africa in a bid to increase a level that will not have an adverse effect on the recycling of waste glass. The new glass the climate. banks were in addition to the 550 banks The convention aims to control this level already in use in the country. As consumers over a period of time to: are embracing glass-recycling habits, this is • allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to contributing to the need for even more glass climate change drop-off points. • ensure that food production is not threat- Since the inception of the Glass Re- ened cycling Company in 2006, South Africans • enable economic development to proceed have increased the recycling of waste glass in a sustainable manner. from 148 000 tons to more than 204 000 All countries that have ratified the conven- tons per year. This is effectively an increase tion are required to: of just over 38%. • develop, update and publish national Collect-a-Can was established in 1993. inventories of anthropogenic emissions It is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal by sources, and removals by sinks of South Africa, which is Africa’s major steel GHG (the GHG excludes those listed in producer and producer of tinplate for food the Montreal Protocol) and beverage cans and Africa’s largest • formulate, implement and update national packaging company and beverage can pro- and regional programmes containing ducer, Nampak. measures to mitigate climate change The current recovery rate for southern • promote and cooperate in the develop­ Africa is 69%, which compares favourably ment and transfer of technology that con- with recovery rates quoted by first world trols, reduces or prevents anthro­pogenic countries. emissions of GHG In 2010, Collect-a-Can won the Mail & • promote sustainable management, con- Guardian Greening the Future Award for servation and enhancement of sinks and Best Environmental Practice and Sustain- reservoirs of GHG ability. • cooperate in preparing for the adaptation Collect-a-Can annually embarks on vari- to the impact of climate change ous projects which run throughout the year. • take climate-change considerations into The biggest project is the schools’ competi- account where feasible, in relevant social, tion, a project which aims to encourage, economic and environmental policies and educate and inform children on the impor- actions, to minimise the adverse effects of tance of a clean environment and how such climate change on the economy, on public an environment can be achieved through health and on the quality of the environ- recycling waste such as used beverage ment cans. The company works within communi- • promote and cooperate in the timeous ties to support recycling initiatives, and has and transparent exchange of informa- a strong commitment to socio-economic tion, including scientific, technological, empowerment. socio-economic and legal information and research

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 214 • promote and cooperate in education, Montreal Protocol training and public awareness According to the UN Environment Pro- • report to the Conference of the Parties gramme (UNEP), global emissions need to (COP). be cut by between 48% and 72% between 2020 and 2050 to create a 50/50 chance of Commission on Sustainable meeting the target of keeping global tem- Development (CSD) perature increases below 2° C. The Mon- The CSD was created in 1992 to monitor treal Protocol on Substances that Deplete and report on implementation of the Earth the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Summit agreements at local, national, Convention for the Protection of the Ozone regional and international levels. Its man- Layer) is an international treaty designed date was reaffirmed by the WSSD held in to protect the ozone layer by phasing out Johannesburg in 2002. the production of a number of substances At its 11th session, the CSD drafted a believed to be responsible for ozone deple- multi-year programme of work organised on tion. It is believed that if the international the basis of two-year cycles, with each cycle agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer focusing on selected thematic clusters of will recover by 2050. issues. Year one of the cycle is a reviewing South Africa became a signatory to year that evaluates progress made in imple- the Montreal Protocol in 1990 and has a menting sustainable development goals national obligation to safe­guard the ozone and identifying obstacles and constraints layer from depletion. South Africa has to implementation. During year two, policy phased out chloro­fluorocarbons, halons, actions are negotiated, aimed at addressing methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride the challenges and constraints. – making it the only developing country in South Africa has actively participated in the world that has achieved so much in line the CSD process. The drafting of the South with the phase-out schedule for developed African country report to CSD-18 highlighted countries. Although South Africa is classified the status of implementation with regard to as a developing country, its consumption of the themes of mining, transport, sustainable these substances is equal to that of some consumption and production, waste and developed countries. chemicals, as well as the challenges faced To demonstrate the country’s commitment in achieving the targets set out in the Johan- towards the phasing out of ozone-depleting nesburg Plan of Implementation (JPoI). substances (ODS), the following control The report further covered the cross- measures constitute the overall position of cutting issues and means of implementation South Africa on the Montreal Protocol: inclusive of technology, finance and capa- • working groups were constituted to assist city-building. The cross-cutting issues cov- government in implementing the protocol ered poverty, gender mainstreaming as well • regulated ODS can only be imported or as interlinkages across the themes. South exported after applying for an import/ Africa participates in the negotiating session export permit through the Department of of the CSD to ensure that policy decisions Trade and Industry under the Import and are adopted that will expedite implementa- Export Control Act, 1963 (Act 45 of 1963) tion of the thematic targets set in the JPoI. • ODS can only be imported after the department has recommended the issu- Convention on International ing of a permit to the International Trade Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) Unregulated trade in wildlife has become a South Africa and Australia have signed an major factor in the decline of many species agreement that will frame future bilateral co- i operation on climate-change issues. of animals and plants. In 1975, Cites was A Letter of Intent was signed in February 2010 established to prevent international trade by the Australian Trade Minister, Mr Simon Crean, and from threatening species with extinction. the former Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, South Africa, together with the other Ms Buyelwa Sonjica. The two nations have been cooperating on climate- 149 member countries, acts by regulating change matters since 2006. and monitoring international trade in spe- Both countries agreed to identify as well as to cies which are, or may be, affected by this develop and implement a further programme of joint trade. activities such as addressing climate change and bio- diversity, greenhouse gas emissions and reporting and monitoring at national and entity levels.

215 SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 – Environmental affairs Administration Commission/Department hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which of Trade and Industry will commence in January 2013. The Phase- • information is disseminated to interested Out Management Plan had been developed and affected parties to define specific activities necessary to • Africa network meetings, as arranged by achieve the control measures envisaged in the UNEP, are attended, where views, 2013 and 2015. experiences and problems are shared Both the HCFCs and MBR are to be to improve cooperation within the region declared, by the Minister, as national priority and as per New Partnership for Africa’s air pollutants in terms of Section 29(1) of the Development requirements. National Environmental Management Air- Obligations include: Quality Act, 2004. • ensuring that South Africa, as a party to the protocol, protects human health Private-sector involvement and the environment against harm from Numerous private bodies are involved in human activities that modify or are likely conservation activities. There are more than to modify the ozone layer 400 organisations in the country concen­ • ensuring the protection of the ozone layer trating on conservation, wildlife and the by taking precautionary measures to general environment, as well as more than equitably control total global emissions of 30 botanical and horticultural organisations. substances that deplete the ozone layer, Among these are: with the ultimate objective of totally elimi- • BirdLife South Africa nating them • Botanical Society of South Africa • reporting data to the Ozone Secretariat • Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife on production, imports, exports and con- • Conservation International sumption of regulated ODS as collected • Delta Environmental Centre from dealers and relevant departments. • Dolphin Action Protection Group The former Department of Environmental • EcoLink Affairs and Tourism, with the assistance • Endangered Wildlife Trust of the former Department of Agriculture, • Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife embarked on a national project to establish • Green Trust methyl bromide (MBR) consumption trends, • Keep South Africa Beautiful and a database of suitable, feasible and • KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board economically viable alternatives to MBR. • National Conservancy Association of This will form the basis for an intensive South Africa research/evaluation project to phase out, in • Peace Parks Foundation the short term, 20% of MBR usage, mainly • Southern African Foundation for the Con- in the agricultural sector. From January servation of Coastal Birds 2005, all developing countries were to have • Trees and Food for Africa reduced their respective MBR consump- • Wildlife and Conservation Society of tion by 20%, as per the Montreal Protocol South Africa phase-out timetable, and completely phase • WWF-SA. out the use of MBR by 2015. The department has also begun a pro- gramme to phase out the consumption of

Environmental affairs – SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2010/11 216 Acknowledgements Business Report Department of Environmental Affairs Estimates of National Expenditure, 2010, published by National Treasury DEAT Annual Review 2008/09 BuaNews Beeld National Zoological Gardens of South Africa South African National Biodiversity Institute

www.bwi.co.za www.peaceparks.org www.capeaction.org.za www.plantzafrica.com www.cites.org www.sacanegrowers.co.za www.collectacan.co.za www.sagoodnews.co.za www.csir.co.za www.sanbi.org www.deat.gov.za www.skep.org.za www.dwaf.gov.za www.southafrica.info www.ekapa.ioisa.org.za www.ucmp.berkeley.edu www.gov.za http://eprints.ru.ac.za www.nzg.ac.za http://en.wikipedia.org

Suggested reading Aucamp, PJ. 2009. Environmental impact assessment: a practical guide for the discerning practitioner. Pretoria: Van Schaik. Butchart, D. 2009. Wildlife of South Africa: a photographic guide. Cape Town: Struik Nature. De Villiers, B. 2008. People and parks: sharing the benefits. Johannesburg: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. Du Plessis, A. 2008. Fulfilment of South Africa’s constitutional environmental right in the local government sphere. Nijmegen: Wolf Legal. Emmett, M. 2010. Game ranger in your backpack: all-in-one interpretative guide to the Lowveld. Pretoria: Briza. Environmental compliance and enforcement in South Africa: legal perspectives. 2009. Cape Town: Juta. Environmental management in South Africa. 2009. Cape Town: Juta. Guyot, S. 2008. Zulu shores, South Africa: green disputes in black and white. Saarbrücken: VDM, Verlag Dr. Müller. McCracken, DP. 2008. Saving the Zululand wilderness: an early struggle for nature conservation. Auckland Park: Jacana. Pienaar, A. 2009. The Griqua apprentice: ancient healing arts of the Karoo. Roggebaai: Umuzi. Selley, R. 2009. West of the moon: early Zululand and a game ranger at war in Rhodesia. Johannesburg: 30° South Publishers. Slingsby, P. 2009. T.P. Stokoe, the man, the myths, the flowers. Cape Town: Baardskeerder. South Africa. 2009. National Environmental Management Act and regulations 107 of 1998; Environment Conservation Act and regulations 73 of 1989. Edited by Juta’s statutes editors. Cape Town: Juta. South African environmental law through the cases. 2009. Durban LexisNexis. Thomas, V, Moll, E & Grant, R. 2008. Tree spotting: Cape: from coast to Kalahari. Johannesburg: Jacana.

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