Dr Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, reflected on 100 days in office, with Deputy Ministers Narend Singh and Bernice Swarts.
He acknowledged the role played by the Department in shaping South Africa’s future, both within our borders and also within an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
He highlighted “Big 6 Priorities” for the Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment portfolio in the 7th Administration.
The first, was enabled by the signing of the Climate Change Bill into law, on the 23rd of July 2024, President Ramaphosa.
Since its enactment, the Department has made significant progress in implementing the Climate Change Act; including, developing a detailed timeline for the rollout and implementation of the Act.
George said through the Climate Change and Air Quality Branch of the Department, the implementation of the Act’s provisions will begin, across all levels of government.
The Minister is engaging regularly with stakeholders and participating in the Presidential Climate Change Commission Meetings.
Other related initiatives are the collaboration with educational institutions to incorporate climate education into curricula to ensure that the next generation is informed and empowered to tackle climate change.
“Our commitment to combating climate change extends beyond our borders, as we actively participate in international forums to strengthen global climate actions and financing.
In August, I attended the BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change in Wuhan, China. Alongside environment ministers from across the world, we discussed efforts to strengthen climate actions and financing. We reaffirmed our commitment to the Paris Agreement and emphasized the need for developed countries to fulfil their obligations regarding financial support and technology transfer to developing nations.”
He also said “at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, I had the opportunity to present South Africa’s environmental goals, and accompanied President Ramaphosa to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange — a symbolic gesture signalling that South Africa is open for business.”
South Africa will be President of the G20 next year and the Minister will now chair the Climate and Sustainability working group, having taken over from the Brazilian Environment Minister.
The second priority is the ‘Kruger-Kirstenbosch-iSimangaliso Icon Status Strategy’ or ‘KISS’ in short. This programme is focused on reforming each of these iconic sites into world-class destinations that set new standards for conservation, education, and sustainable tourism.
The third is the “FILLER” initiative, which is short for ‘Fair Industry for Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and Rhinos’.
This priority is dedicated to ensuring a fair and sustainable future for our country’s most iconic wildlife.
The fourth is the ‘Fishing for Freedom’ initiative. This initiative is dedicated to connecting local communities to the ocean economy while promoting marine conservation.
“In addition to policy reforms, I have embarked on a comprehensive 12-harbour tour to engage directly with the communities that rely on our maritime resources. So far, I have conducted oversight visits at four of these harbours, where I have met with local fishers, community leaders, and stakeholders. These visits have provided invaluable insights into the everyday realities and opportunities within the sector.”
The Minister also said he is meeting with lawyers for conservationists and small scale fishers on the litigation currently heading to court. “I am certain we can reach a settlement that will ensure the future of our African penguin population in the wild.”
The fifth priority, known as RESET, stands for ‘Regulatory Efficiency Strategy for Environmental Turbocharge’. This initiative is centered on streamlining governance and compliance processes to make our environmental regulations more efficient, transparent, and effective.
The sixth priority, is to source funding for conservation work. Over the medium term, the Department’s budget has been reduced by nearly R2 billion.