BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT
NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE PROPOSED BOTSWANA-SOUTH AFRICA (BOSA) TRANSMISSION INTERCONNECTION PROJECT
AURECON REFERENCE NUMBER: 112581
The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) has appointed Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Aurecon”) to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the BOSA Transmission Interconnection Project.
Purpose of this document
This Background Information Document (BID) provides details about the project and affords stakeholders the opportunity to register as interested and affected parties (I&APs). Should you wish to register as an I&AP, please submit your contact details, comments and interest in the project to the Public Participation Office. Contact details as well as a comment form are provided at the end of this document.
What does the Project entail? Approximately 210 km of 400 kV transmission line is proposed to link the Isang substation in Botswana and the Watershed B area near Mafikeng in South Africa (see Figure 1). The 400 kV line will comprise two transmission lines, placed up to 60 m apart from each other. Two lines ensure that there is still transmission of electricity if there is a problem on one line. The application for environmental authorisation is for a 1 km wide corridor within which the transmission lines are located. The portion of line in South Africa will belong to Eskom and the portion in Botswana to the Botswana Power Corporation. Application for authorisation for the line will be made to the Departments of Environmental Affairs in both South Africa and Botswana for the portions of line in each country. The project is being sponsored by the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA). The EIA is required to meet the international funder standards for environmentally and socially sustainable development, and will be termed an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The Performance Standards of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) will guide the overall ESIA, which will be conducted as two “sub-EIAs”, run in parallel, to ensure that the specific South African and Botswana requirements are met.
One of the following overhead line tower structure design options is likely to be selected as the design standard for the BOSA transmission interconnector line.
Lattice tower series (Quad Zebra) Guyed-V lattice towers Cross-rope lattice tower Guyed-V lattice towers (preferred by BPC)
What has been done to date? Construction activities will include: Nineteen (19) potential route/corridor o Negotiations with landowners alternatives were identified during the pre- o Construction of access roads feasibility o Building campsites for workforce The 19 routes were screened on aspects such o Building foundations for the as slope, length and whether they crossed towers sensitive environmental or densely populated or agricultural areas or heritage resources o Assembling and erecting the towers The 5 most suitable routes were then assessed o Conductor stringing and in a Multi-criteria Decision-making Model regulation (MCDM) process o Site de-establishment and
clean-up This MCDM process identified the preferred o Rehabilitation of disturbed route based on high-level technical, areas environmental, social and strategic input, using relevant specialists
As per EIA regulations (2014), the three most preferred routes will be taken forward into the Operational activities will be limited EIA for more detailed assessment and include:
o Clearing of vegetation under lines The following project activities trigger the need for an EIA in South Africa: o Regular maintenance of lines GN R983, Activity 11: “The development of facilities or infrastructure for o Ad-hoc repair of lines as the transmission and distribution of electricity – (ii) inside urban required areas or industrial complexes with a capacity of 275 kilovolts or more.” GN R984, Activity 9: “The development of facilities or infrastructure for Legal Requirements the transmission and distribution of electricity with a capacity of 275 kilovolts or more, outside an urban area or industrial complex.” National Environmental Management GN R983, Activity 27: “The infilling or depositing of any material of more Act (SA) than 5 cubic metres into, or the dredging, excavation, removal or EIAs in South Africa are conducted in terms moving of soil, sand, shell grit, pebbles or rock of more than 5 cubic metres from – (i) a watercourse.” of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (Government Notices GN R983, Activity 27: “The clearance of an area of 1 hectares or more, but less than 20 hectares of indigenous vegetation.” R983 to 985) promulgated in terms of the
National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA). Certain activities could have a substantial detrimental effect on the environment and Environmental Authorisation (EA) is required from the competent authority, in this case the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), before starting such a development. National Environmental Act (Botswana) EIAs in Botswana are conducted in terms of The Environmental Assessment Regulations (2012) promulgated in terms of the Environmental Assessment Act (No. 10 of 2011). Schedule 1 (regulation 3) of the Act lists activities, locations and thresholds for which an Environmental Statement is required. What is an ESIA / EIA1? The ESIA process identifies potential negative and positive impacts on the environment (biophysical, socio-economic and cultural) of a proposed development. It also assesses alternative ways of undertaking the project and how the negative impacts of the project can be avoided or managed and positive impacts can be enhanced. The aim is to ensure that the project is environmentally and socially responsible. There are three phases in the EIA process.
• Issues and concerns are identified by those affected by the development • The baseline conditions are described Scoping • The process to investigate the issues is agreed to by the stakeholders and the authorities
• Assesses issues of concern to determine how significant they are • Recommends how to avoid, reduce or manage negative impacts and enhance positive impacts Impact • Draw up plans to manage the environmental and social impacts for the life cycle of the project (ESMP) Assessment
• The competent authority makes a decision on whether the development can go ahead Descision- • The stakeholders are afforded the opportunity to appeal the decision making
Specialist input is used to assess the impacts, with ecological, bird, social, heritage and visual specialists all forming part of the team. The potential of any resettlement or loss of assets is also considered in detail. While stakeholder engagement is required in both South Africa and Botswana EIA processes, it is especially important in terms of the IFC Performance Standards. This stakeholder engagement process will include an overarching public participation phase with initial notification of the project and then pubic review periods of 30 days each for the Scoping Report and ESIA Report. All comments will be recorded and the ESIA team will respond to all comments in an Issues and Response Report (IRR). This ensures that all stakeholders have the opportunity to contribute to the process. The authorities in both countries will consider the issues and responses relevant to the particular section of line during the decision phase. Once a decision has been made by the authorities, all stakeholders will be informed and have an opportunity to appeal the decision, should they wish to.
1 ESIA and EIA may be used interchangeably. ESIA is the term used by the IFC and EIA by South Africa and Botswana.
Proposed Location
Figure 1: Proposed project layout indicating the three alternatives.
How Can You Get Involved? Public participation is a key component of any environmental process and will take place at various defined stages throughout the project. Anyone who represents an affected organisation or Organ of State, or anyone who owns or lawfully occupies either the affected property or adjacent properties of the project, are already automatically registered as Interested and/or Affected Parties (I&APs) on the project database. If you are not included as part of these groups, but have an interest in the project, please register as an I&AP by completing the form below and sending it to the public participation office (contact details below). You and all other registered I&APs will be notified of public comment periods and of submission of documentation to the DEA. These notifications will detail where Aurecon are in the process and how and when to submit comments or issues regarding the project and its ESIA process.
Your responsibilities as an I&AP
• Comments must be submitted within the approved timeframes or In South Africa, NEMA within any extension of a timeframe agreed to by the applicant or EAP identifies the responsibilities of • A copy of any comments submitted directly to the relevant environmental authority must be submitted to the EAP an I&AP in Regulation No. • Any direct business, financial, personal or other interest which that 982, Section 43: party may have in the approval or refusal of the application, must be disclosed
Next steps You have until the 3rd of February 2017 to register as an I&AP in the first round of stakeholder engagement and to raise issues about the proposed transmission line. The next step is the release of the Draft Scoping Report, which will detail the project, the baseline conditions of the affected area and the issues and concerns raised so far. It will also describe how the ESIA will address concerns raised. Copies of the Report will be placed in public venues for review and loaded onto the Aurecon Public Participation website. We will inform registered I&APs where to review the report and you will be given 30 days to comment on the report. We will inform you of the date of release and the dates and venues of any meetings to be held. If you wish to raise any initial issues or concerns regarding the proposed project, or if you would like to register as an I&AP, please contact the public participation office:
Contact details Mrs Amelia Visagie Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd 4 Daventry Street, Lynnwood Bridge Office Park PO Box 74381 0040 Tel: +27 12 427 3149 Email: [email protected]
Interested and/or Affected Party Response Form
TITLE FIRST NAME
INITIALS SURNAME
ORGANISATION
POSTAL ADDRESS POSTAL CODE
TEL NUMBER FAX NUMBER
CELL NUMBER
Yes, I would like to participate in this EIA YES
No, I am not interested NO
Please indicate how you would prefer to be contacted: FAX EMAIL MAIL
COMMENTS: (please use additional sheets if required)
1. The following issues must be considered in the EIA Process: …………………………………………………………………………………………..……….………..… ………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………..… ……………………………………………………………………………………...……………………...... ……………………………………………………………………………………...………………………...... ……………………………………………...... ……......
2. Please add the following interested and affected parties to the mailing list: ……………………………………………………………………………………………...……………… ……...………………………………………………………………………………………...…………… ……………..………………………………………………………...... ……......
We thank you for your participation
BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT
FOR THE BOTSWANA-SOUTH AFRICA (BOSA) TRANSMISSION INTERCONNECTION PROJECT (AURECON REFERENCE NUMBER: 112581)
The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) has appointed Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Aurecon”) to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the BOSA Transmission Interconnection Project.
What is the project? 210 km of 400 kV transmission line from South Africa to This document provides high level information about Botswana the project. Stakeholders can register as interested and affected parties (I&APs) to receive additional and updated information. If you would like to register as an Link between Isang substation near Gaborone and I&AP, please send us your contact details, comments Watershed B near Mafikeng and interest in the project before the 3rd of February 2017 to the Eskom will own the line in South Africa and the Botswana Public Participation Office to Power Corporation the line in Botswana Mrs Amelia Visagie Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd 4 Daventry Street, Lynnwood Bridge Office Park Sponsored by the Development Bank of South Africa PO Box 74381; 0040 Tel: +27 12 427 3149 Email: [email protected] Must meet the IFC Performance Standards for Environmental and Social Sustainability
Where is the project?
Overhead Line Structure design Options used
What is the process?
An EIA assesses the impacts of a proposed project and recommends ways to avoid or manage the negative impacts and enhance the positive ones. EIAs in South Africa are conducted in terms of the EIA Regulations (Government Notices R983 to 985) promulgated in terms of the National The Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA); and in terms preferred of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (Act no 6 of 2005) in route is the dark blue Botswana. line to the right A team of social, heritage, ecological, bird and visual specialists will assess the impacts on people, animals and plants. Any potential resettlement or loss of assets will be considered in detail. Talking to people affected by the project (stakeholders) is an important part of an EIA. You can ask questions or raise concerns about the project now and you will have an opportunity to comment on the Scoping and ESIA Reports. By registering as an interested and affected party, you will be kept informed as relevant documentation is made available. All your comments will be recorded, considered and incorporated in the project documentation that is submitted to the relevant authorities for project decision making.
Interested and/or Affected Party Response Form
TITLE FIRST NAME
INITIALS SURNAME
ORGANISATION
POSTAL ADDRESS POSTAL CODE
TEL NUMBER FAX NUMBER
CELL NUMBER
Yes, I would like to participate in this EIA YES
No, I am not interested NO
Please indicate how you would prefer to be contacted: FAX EMAIL MAIL
COMMENTS: (please use additional sheets if required)
1. The following issues should be considered in the EIA Process: …………………………………………………………………………………………..……….………..… ………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………..… ……………………………………………………………………………………...……………………...... ……………………………………………………………………………………...………………………...... ……………………………………………...... ……......
2. Please add the following interested and affected parties to the mailing list: ……………………………………………………………………………………………...……………… ……...………………………………………………………………………………………...…………… ……………..………………………………………………………...... ……......
We thank you for your participation
BUKANA YA TSHEDIMOSETSO MABAPI LE BOTSWANA-SOUTH AFRICA (BOSA) PHETISO KGOLAGANO-MAGARENG POROJEKE (AURECON NOMORE- TSHUPETSO: 112581)
Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) e thapile Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Aurecon”) go dira dipatlisiso mapabi le gore projeke e e itsegeng ka Bosa Transmission Interconnection Project e tla ama Tlhago le Batho jang.
Projeke e mabapi le eng? Dikilomitara di le 210 km tsa megala ya motlakase ya maatla a Letlhare leno le kwadilwe go go neela kitsiso ya 400 kV e e tswang kwa Afrika Borwa e ya kwa Botswana maemo a a kwa godimo mabapi le projeke eno. O lopiwa go ikwadisa jaaka yo o nang le kgatlhego yo o Megala ya motlakase e e tshwaraganyang lefelo le le amegang (I&APs) gore o kgone go amogela itsegeng ka Isang substation gaufi le Gaborone le tshedimosetso e e oketsegileng le go tlhabololwa. Fa o Watershed B gaufi le Mafikeng batla go ikwadisa jaaka yo o amegang kana a na le Mogala wa motlakase o o mo Afrika Borwa o tla nna mo kgatlego o lopiwa go romela maina a gago, nomore ya tlase ga taolo ya Eskom mme e e kwa Botswana e tla mogala le di aterese tsa gago go laoliwa ke Botswana Power Corporation. Kantoro ya Botsayakarolo (Public Participation Office) pele ga 03 Tlhakole 2017 go Madi a go dira projeke a tla ntshiwa ke Banka e e itsegeng Mme Amelia Visagie ka Development Bank of South Africa Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd Tsamaiso ya tiro e e umakiwang fa godimo e tshwanetse e nne 4 Daventry Street, Lynnwood Bridge Office Park go ya ka melawana ya setlamo sa IFC e e leng mabapi le PO Box 74381; 0040 tlhokomelo ya tlhago e e itsegeng ka "Performance Standards for Tel: +27 12 427 3149 Environmental and Social Sustainability" Porojeke Email: [email protected] e ko lefelong lefe ?
Go tla thlopiwa e nngwe ya tse di fa godimo mabapi le ditebego tsa megala ya motlakase. Ke eng se se tla diriwang?
Dipatlisiso mabapi le gore projeke e ama batho le tlhago jang kana EIA e sekaseka seabe sa porojeke e e tshitshintsweng le go tshitshinya ditsela tsa go thibela kgotsa go laola ditlamorago tse di sa siamang le go dira gore go nne le ditlamorago tse di siameng. Dipatlisiso tsa EIA mo Aforika Borwa di dirwa go Tsela e e ya ka melawana ya puso (Dikitsiso tsa puso R983 go ya go 985) go tlhagisiwa ka go ya ka Molao wa Bosetšhaba wa Taolo ya Tikologo (No. 107 wa 1998 tlhopiwang ke e botala (NEMA); le go ya ka molawana o o tsamaisang merero ya tsa Tlhago kwa jo bontsho Botswana (Molao wa bo 6 wa 2005) kwa Botswana. go ya letsogon la moja Baitseenape ba ba itseng ka tsa tlhago, didiriswa tsa kgale le mabitla, ditshedi le dimela, dinonyane ba tla sekaseka ditlamorago tse di sa siamang tsa projeke mme ba leka go netefatsa gore go nne le ditlamorago tse di siameng. Khuduso kana tatlhegelo ya thoto nngwe le nngwe e e ka nnang teng e tla tsewa tsia ka botlalo. Go bua le batho ba ba amilweng ke porojeke (botlhe ba ba amegang) ke karolo e e botlhokwa ya dipatlisiso tsa EIA. O ka botsa dipotso le go tlhagisa matshwenyego mabapi le porojeke jaanong mme o tla nna le tšhono ya go tshwaela mabapi le diripoto tsa ESIA. Fa o ikwadisitse jaaka yo o nang le kgatlego mo projekeng, o tla nna o fiwa dikitsiso, tshedimosetso le diripoto mabapi le projeke eno. Ditshwaelo tsa gago tsotlhe di tla kwadiwa mo diripotong tsa rona, e bile di tla akarediwa mo diripotong tse di tla isiwang kwa pusong gore bat see tshweetso mabapi le projeke.
Yo a nang le kgatlhego le / Kgotsa yo o amegang
SELTHOGO LEINA LA NTLHA
DITLHAKAINA SEFANE
MOKGATLHO
ATERESE YA POSO NOMORO YA POSO
NOMORO YA MOGALA NOMORO YA FEKSE
NOMORO YA SELE
Ee, ke rata go tsaya karolo mo go EIA EE
Nyaa, ga ke na kgatlhego NYAA
Tsweetswee supa go re o ka rata go tlhaelediwa jang: FEKSE E-MAIL POSO
DITSHWAELO: (tsweetswee dirisa matlhare a mangwe fa go tlhokega)
1. Dintlha tse di latelang di tshwanetse go tsewa tsia mo tiragatsong ya EIA: …………………………………………………………………………………………..……….………..… ………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………..… ……………………………………………………………………………………...……………………...... ……………………………………………………………………………………...………………………...... ……………………………………………...... ……......
2. Le kopiwa go akaretsa ba bangwe ba ba nang le kgatlhego kgotsa ba ba angwang ke projeke go lenaneng la poso: ……………………………………………………………………………………………...……………… ……...………………………………………………………………………………………...…………… ……………..………………………………………………………...... ……...... Re lebogela botsayakarolo jwa gago
AGTERGROND INLIGTINGS DOKUMENT (AID)
VIR DIE BOTSWANA-SUID AFRIKA (BOSA) TRANSMISSIE PROJEK INTERKONNEKSIE (AURECON VERWYSINGS NOMMER: 112581)
Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Aurecon”) is deur die Suider Afrikaanse Kragpoel (SAPP) aangestel om die Omgewingsimpakstudie (OIS) vir die BOSA Transmissie Interkonneksie projek te doen. Waaroor gaan die projek? 210 km? van 400 kV transmissie lyn van Suid Afrika na Botswana Die doel van hierdie Agtergrondinligtingsdokument (AID) is om in kennis te stel van die projek. Belanghebbende en Geaffekteerde Partye (B&GPs) Skakel tussen Isang substasie naby Gaborone en Watershed B kan registreer om addisionele, opgedateerde inligting naby Mafikeng oor die projek te kry. Registreer asseblief as ‘n B&GP en stuur u kommentaar oor die voorgestelde projek Eskom sal die lyn besit in Suid Afrika en die Botswana Krag voor die 3e Februarie 2017 na die volgende adres: Korporasie in Botswana Openbare Deelname Kantoor na: Mev Amelia Visagie Aurecon Suid Afrika (Pty) Ltd Geborg deur Ontwikkelings Bank van Suid Afrika 4 Daventry Staat, Lynnwood Bridge Posbus 74381; 0040
Moet aan die International Finance Corporation (IFC) Tel: +27 12 427 3149 prestasiestandaarde vir omgewings en sosiale impakstudies voldoen Email: [email protected]
Waar is die projek?
Oorhoofse lynsturktuur ontwerpopsies
Wat is die proses?
Deur die OIS in Suid Afrika word daar gekyk na die impak van die projek en voorstelle word gemaak om negatiewe impakte te verhoed en postiewe impakte te beklemtooon? . Die voorgestelde projek aktiveer sekere aktiwiteite wat ingevolge die Wet op Nasionale Omgewingsbestuur, (R983 tot 985) en die Nasionale Omgewingsbestuursimpak regulasies (Regulasie nr 6 van 2005) in Botswana.
Verskillende impakstudies soos sosiale impak, kulturele en argeologiese erfenis, ekologiese, voëls, en visuele evaluering sal deur ‘n span van onafhanklike spesialiste gedoen word om die impak op mense, diere en plante te bepaal. Dit verseker dat die maatreëls wat geidentifiseer is om die impak op die omgewing te verminder toegepas word. Een van die belangrikste aspekte van die projek is om met al die Belanghebbende en Geaffekteerde Partye (B&GPs) te praat sodat al die vrae en bekommernisse in ag geneem kan word. Al die B&GP’s sal ook kans kry om hulle kommentaar te lewer gedurende die OIS en gedurende die Omgewings en Sosiale impakstudie verslag. Deur te registreer as ‘n B&GP sal U op hoogte gehou word van die proses en wanneer verslae gepubliser sal word. . Al die kommentaar wat ontvang is sal in die projekverslae weerspieël word en aan die relevante owerhede gestuur word om die finale besluit oor die projek te neem.
Belanghebbende en Geaffekteerde Partye (B&GPs) Kommentaarvorm TITEL VOORNAAM VOORLETTERS VAN ORGANISASIE
POSADRES POSKODE TEL NOMMER FAKS NOMMER SELFOONNOMMER EPOS
Ja, ek wil graag deelneem aan hierdie OIB Ja
Nee, ek stel nie belang nie Nee
Hoe wil U inligting ontvangs? Faks E-pos Pos
KOMMENTAAR: (gebruik asseblief addisionele bladsy indien nodig)
1. 1. Die volgende kwessies moet aangespreek word in die OIS proses: …………………………………………………………………………………………..……….………..… ………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………..… ……………………………………………………………………………………...……………………...... ……………………………………………………………………………………...………………………...... ……………………………………………...... ……......
2. Plaas asseblief die volgende kollegas/vriende op die adreslys: ……………………………………………………………………………………………...……………… ……...………………………………………………………………………………………...…………… ……………..………………………………………………………...... ……......
BAIE DANKIE VIR U DEELNAME
DISTRIBUTION OF BIDs in South Africa 18 to 20 January 2017 Ottoshoop
Ottoshoop Community Library
Maruping Clinic
Slurry
PPC Community Library
Mafikeng
Danville Community Library 1
Zeerust
Zeerust Post Office
Supingstad
Supingstad Clinic
Driefontein
Driefontein Clinic
Mantsie
Ramokgethwa Primary School
Motswedi
Motswedi Clinic
Lehurutse
Lehurutse Community Library
Ntsweletsoku
Rearabilwe Community Library
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the 24 January 2017 Botswana-South Africa (BOSA) Transmission Revision: 0 Interconnection Project. Reference: 112581 BOSA Project BOSA Transmission Interconnection Project.
Document control record
Document prepared by: Mishack Ratau Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd Reg No 1977/003711/07 Aurecon Centre Lynnwood Bridge Office Park 4 Daventry Street Lynnwood Manor 0081 PO Box 74381 Lynnwood Ridge 0040 South Africa
T +27 12 427 2000 F +27 86 556 0521 E [email protected] W aurecongroup.com
A person using Aurecon documents or data accepts the risk of: a) Using the documents or data in electronic form without requesting and checking them for accuracy against the original hard copy version. b) Using the documents or data for any purpose not agreed to in writing by Aurecon.
Document control
Report title BOSA Project
Document ID Project number 112581
File path Document2
Client BOSA Transmission Interconnection Project.
Client contact Client reference
Rev Date Revision details/status Author Reviewer Verifier Approver (if required) 0 25 January 2017 Mishack Amelia Ratau Visagie
Current revision 0
Approval
Author signature Approver signature
Name Amelia Visagie Name Diane Erasmus
Title Project Manager Socio Title Economic Development
Project 112581 File BOSA_Community engagment_18to20Jan2017.docx 24 January 2017 Revision 0
Contents
1 Introduction 1 2 Objectives of the engagement process 2 3 Community engagement visit 3 3.1 Background information for each area visited 4 4 Questions encountered and answers given 10 5 Challenges faced 11 6 Suggestions for future community visit 12 7 Closure 13
Appendices Appendix A Database of contact telephone numbers Appendix B Proof of BID document recieval
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1 Introduction
The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) has named Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd ("Aurecon") to direct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Botswana- South Africa (BOSA) Transmission Interconnection Project.
An EIA evaluates the effects of a proposed project and prescribes approaches to maintain a strategic distance from or deal with the negative effects and improve the positive ones. EIAs in South Africa are directed regarding the EIA Regulations (Government Notices R983 to 985) proclaimed as far as the National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA); and as far as the Environmental Impact Assessment (Act no 6 of 2005) in Botswana. It must meet the IFC Performance Standards for Environmental and Social Sustainability.
The EIA requires that all the interested and affected parties (I&APs) to be registered and made mindful about the project before it can commence. The transmission line is run from Mafikeng to Botswana and is likely to pass through Supingstad, Driefontein, Motswedi, Mantsie, Mosweu, Ntsweletsoku, Dinokana, Lehurutse, Zeerust, Ottoshoop and Slurry. The home of every one of these distinguished locations are identified as I&AP’s and hence there is a need for them to be aware of the project with the goal that they can raise their worries and recommendations.
The project is to span 210 km and consist of a 400 kV transmission line from South Africa to Botswana. It will precisely be an interface between Isang substation close Gaborone and Watershed B close to Mafikeng.
The project is sponsored by the Development Bank of South Africa. The electrical line is going to pass through some villages that currently don’t have electricity supply and is so this project is likely to uplift the standard of living for these villages.
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2 Objectives of the engagement process
A great deal of the locations specified above are villages governed by chiefs who have title deeds of the land on which they rule. These chiefs should be drawn nearer for authorization for the venture to commence. As much as the chiefs in the villages play a significant role in the approval of the project, the community members should also be engaged in this exercise because the project will affect their lives in a way.
It is important to carry out community engagement exercises because of the following reasons:
When people understand the key objectives of a project and how the community is to benefit from the project, the likelihood of the project being accepted is highly increased. Drawing on local knowledge from a diverse group creates solutions that are practical and effective. It is best to first understand the cultures and traditions as well as the environment of a certain region before you start implementing a project therein. Empower and integrate people from different backgrounds. Groups that feel ignored can gain greater control over their lives and their community. Most of the people in the villages don’t feel in control of their community because they don’t have title deeds to verify the land on which they reside. The chiefs that rule within the land cannot be challenged and reign supreme. To engage them in the EIA process will make them feel that they have power to shape and uplift their society. Working together with the community members greatly improves trust, communication and understanding.
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3 Community engagement visit
The following areas were identified as local community shop/ post office / a library where we had to leave the Background Information Document (BID) during our visit on the 18th to the 20th of January 2017:
Supingstad: Shop / spaza or clinic Driefontein: Swartfontein Post office or shopping complex. Motswedi / Borakalalo: Community Hall Mantsie: Shop / spaza Mmutshweu: Shop / spaza Ntswelesoku: Shop / spaza Dinokana: Shop / spaza Lehurutshe: Community Library Zeerust: Community Library Ottoshoop: Community Library Slurry: PPC Cement Community Library Mahikeng: Community Library
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3.1 Background information for each area visited
3.1.1 Ottoshoop The Ottoshoop Community Library and the Maruping Clinic were visited in Ottoshoop. We started at the library and we were advised to visit the clinic as well since only a small group of people visit the library most of the people in the village are close to the clinic.
Ottoshoop Community Library
Maruping Clinic
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3.1.2 Slurry The PPC Community library was identified as a community centre that most people have access to. Slurry is a small town and therefore people are close to the library and will be made mindful of the project in a short timeframe.
PPC Community Library
3.1.3 Mafikeng We visited the Danville Community library and a contact person’s name were given to us for future reference.
Danville Community Library 1
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3.1.4 Zeerust We were searching for a community library but we found it to be an arduous task to locate it, we then saw a post office as we were driving along the road and we agreed that the Zeerust Post Office will serve the purpose of distributing the documents better than a library as a lot of people visit for certifying documents and post related activities.
Zeerust Post Office
3.1.5 Supingstad The people at Supingstad were friendly and helpful. A lot of people have access to this clinic which is why it will be good to leave any future documentation and reports.
Supingstad Clinic
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3.1.6 Driefontein This clinic is in the community and lots of people from Driefontein visit this clinic on a daily basis.
Driefontein Clinic
3.1.7 Mantsie We could not find a clinic in the Mantsie so we went to the local Primary school called Ramkgethwa. The principal was very helpful and will assist in future.
Ramokgethwa Primary School
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3.1.8 Motswedi The community hall were closed and the locals says it is not accessible for everyone. They suggested the Moswedi clinic where we left the BID document.
Motswedi Clinic
3.1.9 Lehurutse The community library were identified in Lehurutse as the most accessible place to leave the BID documents as a lot of students and locals use the venue frequently.
Lehurutse Community Library
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3.1.10 Ntsweletsoku We were not able to find a clinic in this region and we identified the Rearabilwe Secondary School to be an adequate conduit for the message. The teachers can spread the word and the learners can take some of the BID documents home to give their parents.
Rearabilwe Community Library
3.1.11 Mosweu A tuck shop in this region was viewed as a good place for the BID document distribution unfortunately we forgot to take a picture of the tuck shop. The tuck shop is run by Lerato and her contact details can be found in Appendix A.
3.1.12 Dinokana
We visited the Dinokana Clinic and they refused to distribute the BID documents as they felt that the chief needs to know first before the community.
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4 Questions encountered and answers given
Question Answer given Is this project going to pass through our The path is not finalized, however there village? are three paths indicated in the BID document and the preferred one is that in the dark blue colour. The path is subject to change on the grounds that all the I&AP agree to it and have no concerns that may cause the path to take a different direction. For this path to be approved, it need not cause any adverse effects to biosphere. Is this project for ESKOM? Eskom will claim the line in South Africa and the Botswana Power Corporation the line in Botswana Is the village going to receive electricity We don’t know yet about the plans that as a result of this project? are in place for this project however we will ask and let you know. Once we have filled the comments You can send the document to the section with our concerns and Public Participation Office or contact it suggestions, where do we send the by telephone. The postal address and document? contact details are mentioned therein. What work opportunities will be We can’t say now – once all the studies available on this project? have been done all stakeholders will be informed of job opportunities Will the local people get to apply for Yes work in their area first?
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5 Challenges faced
A clinic in Dinokana refused to distribute the BID documents as they believe that they will be at wrong if the community knows first about this project before the chief himself and the may be penalized if they do so. We couldn’t directly go to the chief as we don’t know where he stays and we would first need to make an appointment before we could see him. We suggest a meeting with the Chief in order to inform him about the project. GPS isn’t reliable in the villages and so we had to ask around for directions to these community centres. Some of the identified regions do not have physical addresses and so it will become an arduous task for a different team to visit these places to put site notices. The leaders of some of the communities are not known by the villagers and so it becomes difficult to contact them.
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6 Suggestions for future community visit 1. Some of the people were not eager to call Aurecon or to post the BID documents to the company because it is costly and these people are poor. They find it better to buy a loaf of bread than to buy an envelope and still pay to post the document or have to buy airtime so that they call the office. The BID documents should be returned back to the community centres where they were received and then these community centres can gather the documents with the raised concerns and suggestions and then call Aurecon for arrangements to collect these documents. When sending out BID documents, it is important to consider means of procurement so that these documents can be collected and the people’s comments can be taken into consideration. The people in these villages are poor and cannot afford to buy envelops to post the documents back to Aurecon. I was asked if the phone that they should call to give comments is toll free or not, this suggests that the means of gathering feedback isn’t convenient for the village people as they find it costly.
2. Contact the chiefs and arrange appointments to discuss the matter before going to the villages and ask of what is required so that the chief doesn’t feel disrespected since we know little about the culture and tradition of the people in these villages. When executing an activity in the villages, it is best to approach the chief first because the villagers are not at liberty to do things without concern of the chief as they are afraid that they may be penalized as a result. It is best to inform the chief first before the villagers because this may be regarded as disrespect. Although community centres are good conduits for sending out a public message, approaching the chief is the best means as he has the power to call a community meeting and inform the people about an activity that is taking place or is to take place.
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7 Closure
Approaching the chiefs in villages can be the fastest way to spread a message and to get people to register as I&AP. The means of procurement needs to be planned for as one means may not be convenient for a certain group of people and on the other hand be convenient for another.
I believe that the approached community centres can be good conduits for spreading the word and informing the people about the project however the chiefs still have to be approached first as they are the rulers of the land on which the project will potentially pass through.
The project will potentially benefit the communities in its vicinity and greatly improve the standard of living within these regions.
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Appendices Appendix A Database of contact telephone numbers
Book1.xlsx
Appendix B Proof of BID document recieval
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Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd Reg No 1977/003711/07 Aurecon Centre Lynnwood Bridge Office Park 4 Daventry Street Lynnwood Manor 0081 PO Box 74381 Lynnwood Ridge 0040 South Africa
T +27 12 427 2000 F +27 86 556 0521 E [email protected] W aurecongroup.com
Aurecon offices are located in: Angola, Australia, Botswana, China, Ghana, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Macau, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam.
Wendy Mlotshwa
From: Amelia Visagie Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2017 10:28 AM To: Wendy Mlotshwa Cc: Diane Erasmus Subject: FW: NOTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE PROPOSED BOTSWANA-SOUTH AFRICA (BOSA) TRANSMISSION INTERCONNECTION PROJECT Attachments: BOSA BID_12Dec2016_rev4.pdf; BOSA Notification_OoS SA_Final_12Dec2016 _rev2.pdf
DISCLAIMER From: Amelia Visagie Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 4:11 PM To: '[email protected]'
Dear Stakeholder,
You have been identified as a potential key stakeholder for the above-mentioned application for environmental authorisation of a proposed Botswana-South Africa (BOSA) Transmission Project.
The attached Background Information Document (BID) and notification letter will give you some background information about the project.
1 Please send the relevant contact person’s information through to: The Public Participation Office Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd Attention: Ms Amelia Visagie Fax: +27 86 538 6115 Tel: +27 12 427 3149 Email: [email protected]
Please inform any other person that might be interested to register on the project.
Kind regards,
Amelia Visagie Project Manager : Socio Economic Development, Aurecon T +27 12 4273149 F +27 86 5386115 M +27 83 4544317 [email protected] Aurecon Centre, Lynnwood Bridge Office Park,4 Daventry St, Lynnwood Manor, Tshwane South Africa 0081 PO Box 74381 Lynnwood Ridge 0040 South Africa aurecongroup.com
DISCLAIMER
2