Environmental Management Nov/Dec 2015

Environmental Management

Southern Africa’s leading sustainable development publication

www.emmagazine.co.za

November/December 2015

When the well is dry, we know the worth of water

– Benjamin Franklin

HOMO NALEDI • STORM WATER MANAGEMENT • DE BEERS’ DIAMOND ROUTE

Tribe Sauce | TG RC 11/15 /0 0 1

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ED’S NOTE

Contents

BY SAMANTHA MORGAN

04 LEAD STORY

Dear Reader

Evidence is mounting that people are consuming far more natural resources than the planet can sustainably provide. Many of the Earth’s ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and economic development. One of our greatest concerns is water.

South Africa is experiencing a water

Unlike the electricity crisis, which was immediately apparent, the

come together to see how the actions

the country has only added to our

water crisis has slowly crept up on

of those before us impact on us

awareness that we are in a danger

us. By the time the dams and rivers

even today.

zone, as some provinces currently

are dry or the existing water is no

have only a few months water

longer sanitised, it will too late.

coming festive season, remember:

supply left.

Our solution thus will arrive out of

Water, the Hub of Life.

managing supply and demand. As

Water is its mater and matrix,

issue and an economic issue. Water

with everything, we need to learn the

mother and medium.

is life. And where there is life there

value of water.

Water is the most extraordinary

Water is a livelihoods issue, a social

is hope – but it is about changing

One of the key features in this issue

African winners of 2015 Green Talent Awards .......................8 My Rhino, our future ....................... 11

14 SUSTAINABLE

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Make the environmental choice with Belgotex ..................... 15

16 BEST BUILDINGS

& MATERIALS OF 2015

Green Building rapidly taking hold in South Africa ....................... 16

substance!

is Storm Water Management. This

Practically all its properties are

Minister Nomvula Mokonyane warned

is a positive way we can learn about

anomalous, which enabled life to

recently that people need to change

implementing models to conserve

use it as building material for its

their water use. “Behavioural change

this asset, and to change the negative

machinery. Life is water dancing to

amongst all of us is important and,

impact of generations before us.

the tune of solids.

Our lead story is a fascinating

08 TAKE NOTE

As you raise your glass over this

our mind-set. Water and Sanitation

globally, the world has come to realise

Homo Naledi – the largest fossil find in Africa ............................4

of our environmental jigsaw puzzle

crisis. The recent heatwave across

- Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (1972)

that.” She advised that, as with

read about the much talked about

anything precious, we “treat water as

largest fossil find in Africa of Homo

Enjoy this holiday issue!

something you may lose anytime.”

Naledi. It is wonderful to piece bits

Sami

The new look Environmental Management - Keeping you up to date

COVER STORY

4-Star rating for Menlyn Maine Pegasus ................................ 18

20 STORM WATER MANAGEMENT Planning effective storm water management .....................20 Storm water management involving the ‘first flush’ principle ............................................ 22

24 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Maputaland-PondolandAlbany region – a global biodiversity hotspot ..................... 24 365-day rescue service for seabirds ...................................... 26

27 LANDSCAPE De Beer’s Diamond route – linking nine sites in an environmentally holistic project .................................27

31

CLASSIFIEDS

THE TEAM EDITORIAL

SUBSCRIPTIONS

CONTACT

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While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents and information given to readers, neither the editor, publisher, or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom. All rights reserved. © Environmental Management. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

4

HOMO NALEDI

Homo The largest fossil find in Africa

O

ne of the greatest fossil discoveries of the past half century happened right here in South Africa

in early September. The discovery, comprising in excess of 1 550 numbered fossil elements, is the single largest fossil find in Africa.

The fossils were revealed for the first time during an international launch at the Maropeng Visitor’s Centre in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. It was a much anticipated announcement, since the initial fossil find in 2013. The University of Witswatersrand (Wits) led by Professor Lee Berger , research professor in the Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits, the National Geographic Society, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) announced that the discovery marks a new species of human relative, and named it Homo naledi: ‘naledi’ means ‘star’ in Sotho (also called Sesotho), – one of the languages spoken in South Africa.

“This is a tremendously significant find,” said Terry Garcia, the National Geographic Society’s chief science and exploration officer. “That is why, when National Geographic received a call from Lee Berger reporting the fossils’ initial discovery, we immediately committed our support to this remarkable effort. The South African Strategy for the Paleosciences provides an explicit roadmap that includes government’s vision to protect, preserve and generate knowledge in this critical scientific

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

HOMO NALEDI

naledi area. Central to the strategy is the

approximately 45kgs. His teeth

mandate of the National Research

and most features of his skull

Foundation (NRF) of SA, namely, the

are very similar to the earliest-

development of excellent human

known members of our genus,

capital, and contributing to the

such as Homo habilis. Questions

knowledge economy through new

beg to be asked: Where did he

knowledge generation. Therefore, it

live? How does he fit into our

was natural for the NRF to be involved

tree of human evolution? And

in this project and we are excited

was his depositing of the dead

about its findings and we congratulate

in to a remote cave chamber

the team.” said Dr Gansen Pillay,

intentional? After all, this is a

Deputy CEO of the NRF.

behaviour previously thought

Modern humans, or Homo sapiens,

limited to humans.

are now the only living species in

In 2013, Steven Tucker and

their genus. However as recently

Rick Hunter, two recreational

as 100 000 years ago, there were

cavers, explored a cavity named

several other species that belonged

Rising Star, about 50 kilometres

to the genus Homo. Together with

northwest of Johannesburg.

modern humans, these extinct human

Rising Star has been a popular

species, our immediate ancestors and

caving attraction since the 1960s,

their close relatives, are collectively

and its lattice of channels and

referred to as ‘hominins’.

caverns is well mapped. In the

In many respects Homo naledi

first half of this century, many

appears extremely primitive, with a

fossils had been unearthed in

tiny brain roughly the size of an orange,

this area of South Africa – the

and an ape-like thorax and chest with

Cradle of Humankind. Tucker

broad shoulders for climbing. In other

and Hunter were hopeful to come

respects, he is remarkably human. He

across something extra-ordinary.

was about 1.5 meters tall and weighed

They did.

Questions beg to be asked Where did he live?

How does he fit into our tree of human evolution?

And was his depositing of the dead into a remote cave chamber intentional?

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

5

HOMO NALEDI

UNDERGROUND ASTRONAUTS Squeezing themselves through tiny crevices, they came across the most astonishing, and arguably most perplexing fossil find in the last five decades. However, the two did not have the necessary skills to excavate the fossils, and Lee Berger knew of no scientist with the physique to squeeze through the tiny gaps – firstly a narrow chute 12 metres deep and then a minute gap of not more than 18cm off the ground which had to be crawled

“It was like looking into a shark’s

though. Berger advertised the position

mouth. There were fingers and

on Facebook: ‘Skinny individuals

tongues and teeth of rock.”

wanted, with scientific credentials and

After several days of careful

caving experience. Must be willing to

excavation, it became evident that

work in cramped quarters.’ Over the

there was not just one skeleton in the

following 10 days, he’d had replies

cave, but many. By the end of that

from over 60 applicants. He chose

period, the excavators had removed

the six most qualified. They were all

over 1 200 bones, more than from any

young women. He called them his

other human ancestor site in Africa—

‘underground astronauts’.

and they still hadn’t exhausted the

Berger and 60 scientists set up an

material in just the small area around

above-ground operation centre

the skull. It took another several days

comprising a village of sleeping

digging in March 2014 before this

tents, support tents and a science

excavation ran dry.

headquarters. Local cavers helped

The find in the Dinaledi Chamber,

thread over three kilometres of

or ‘Chamber of Stars’ was incredible.

communication and power cables

At least 15 individuals had been found

down into the fossil chamber. Berger

here. Bone parts included skulls,

and his team were then able to

jaw bones, teeth, and tiny bones

monitor everything I the cave from

from the inner ear. Adult, young and

above ground. The first scientist down

infantile bones were all part of the

the chute was Marina Elliott, then a

parcel. Parts of the skeletons looked

graduate student at Simon Fraser

amazingly modern. But others were

University in British Columbia.

just as astonishingly primitive. “We’ve

“Looking down into it, I wasn’t sure I’d be ok,” Elliott recalled.

found a most remarkable creature,” Berger said.

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

IMAGES: WITS UNIVERSITY

6

HOMO NALEDI

What makes the mystery so

human behaviour and thought. That

perplexing is that there is no evidence

being said, Berger makes it clear

of the individuals living in the cave

that “H. naledi was not human—

– nothing there to suggest any form

which makes the behaviour all the

of occupation. The distribution of

more intriguing. We explored every

the bones seemed to indicate that

alternative scenario, including mass

they had been deposited over a long

death, an unknown carnivore, water

time, perhaps centuries. There was

transport from another location,

no evidence of carnivores having

or accidental death in a death trap,

dragged their prey into the cave–

among others,” said Berger.

no scars or markings on the bones

“In examining every other option,

made by scavengers. To add, had the

we were left with intentional body

bones been washed into the cave

disposal by Homo naledi as the

by flowing water, there would be

most plausible scenario.”

evidence of stones and other debris

H. naledi was much closer in

having been washed there too. After

appearence to Homo species such as

examining all possibilities, Berger and

H. erectus than to australopithecines,

his team reached the most unlikely

such as Lucy. But it possesses enough

conclusion that Homo naledi had been

traits shared with no other member

intentionally placed there.

of our genus that it warrants a new species name.

RITUALISED BEHAVIOUR

There has been much concern

The very notion that such a small-

about not being able to date Homo

brained creature displaying such

naledi as yet. Berger, however, is not

complex human-like behaviour

worried. He believes that if Homo

seems so unlikely that many other

naledi is as old as its morphology

researchers have simply refused to

suggests, then he could be the root

Berger is confident. “No matter what

credit this theory. However, it cannot

of the Homo family tree. On the other

the age, it will have tremendous

be argued that intentional burying

hand, should he be much younger

impact,” he says.

of one’s own kind brings a sense of

than initially thought, it would suggest

peace and closure for the living, and is

that while our species was evolving,

just the beginning. “There are

a sign of respect for the dead. These

there was another Homo developing

potentially hundreds, if not thousands

individuals risked taking their dead

simultaneously, which was more

of remains of Homo naledi still down

down in to the treacherous chamber.

primitive and smaller-brained. Despite

there. The chamber has not given up

Such actions are the trademark of

such potentially disparate outcomes,

all of its secrets.”

Homo naledi on display

Berger believes that this is

If this discovery is all down to the bravery of two skinny recreational cavers exploring a tiny crevice, just imagine what else there is still to discover. www.elifesciences.org www.wits.ac.za

Prof. Peter Schmid and Prof. John Hawks during the discovery in 2013

“H. naledi was not human—which makes the behaviour all the more intriguing.”

The research was supported by Wits University, the National Geographic Society and South African Department of Science and Technology / National Research Foundation. Ongoing exploration and conservation of the Rising Star site is supported by the Lyda Hill Foundation.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

7

8

TAKE NOTE

African winners of 2015 Green Talents Award join Germany’s sustainability elite

L

eading young scientists

our world a better place. Their prize

honoured during a festive

from 20 countries met

Dr. Kapil Moothi , whose field of

South African PhD graduate

is one of the treasured tickets to

awards ceremony attended by

Germany´s sustainability

interest encompasses Sustainable

the “Green Talents – international

representatives of participating

research elite from 19 to 30

Technology and Nanotechnology

forum for high potentials in

institutions, jury members and other

October 2015, and two South African

Waste Water Treatment, and

sustainable development”.

distinguished guests at the German

winners are amongst the group.

PhD candidate Ms. Geraldine

This year’s ‘Green Talents’ received

Brennan , whose area of expertise

two weeks of interaction with leading

encompasses Clean Production

experts and world-renowned

and Management, Humanities

research institutions and companies,

and Climate Change were both

including Fraunhofer FOKUS, KWB

selected by a high-ranking jury

–Berlin Centre of Competence for

of experts as up-and-coming

Water, Ecologic Institute, Henkel and

international scientists.

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe. Getting

In total, 27 winners were selected

connected to the science community

by the jury, out of more than 550

and exchanging ideas with its key

applications from over 90 countries.

innovators allowed the winners to lay

The Green Talents Award, held

the foundation for future cooperation.

under the patronage of the German

Such efforts are supported by the

Research Minister Prof. Dr. Johanna

invitation to return to Germany for

Wanka, provided a platform

a fully funded research stay (up to

for the seventh time to young

three months) at an institution of their

talents to share their views on green concepts and to make

Federal Ministry in Berlin.

choice in 2016.

The 27 ‘Green Talents’ were

Belgotex brightens up children’s care facility

T

he Belgotex Floors

in Pietermaritzburg, which provides

Foundation installed a new mini

Foundation recently

a temporary place of safety for

sports field, bright basketball court

brightened up

abandoned, abused and HIV positive

and low-maintenance artificial lawn

Pietermaritzburg Child and

children, was completely resurfaced

beneath the jungle gym and around

with DuraTurf artificial lawn.

the perimeter. The playground

Family Welfare Society’s playground by providing a colourful new surface of artificial lawn.

The playground of the EkhayaLethemba community home

Transforming the facility from a hazardous dustbowl into a cheerful, safe and stimulating environment for children to play, the Belgotex Floors

equipment also received muchneeded maintenance and upgrades.

“We want to provide a happier environment for these kids to play in,” said Edward Colle, Executive Director and co-founder of the Belgotex Floors Foundation.

PMB Child and Family Welfare

donation of R20 000 will help give abused kids a better foundation in

Society deals with 70% of child

life. It is incredibly rewarding to see

abuse cases and 85% of all foster-

their joy as they play on the grass,”

cases in the municipality, but is

enthused Colle.

struggling to continue to render

The Belgotex Floors Foundation

services due to lack of funding and

implores all staff, businesses and

inadequate government support.

residents to pledge their support to

The Society needs to secure regular

Child Welfare, however big or

support of R120 000 per month

small, and help them continue

to keep services operational, and

making a difference in the lives

relies heavily on donations and

of those most vulnerable.

sponsorships from companies and individuals.

“This playground, and our monthly

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

www.belgotexfloors.co.za (033) 897-7500

TAKE NOTE

Recycled product of 2015

A text book example for other municipalities to follow

T

plastics recycling industry’s role is in South Africa,” said SAPRO Chairman, Jaco Breytenbach.

The Fifty/50 Wheelie Bin walked away with the overall honours for the night – a testimony to the collaboration of public and private partnerships joining together in finding solutions to recycling problems.

In 1991, The City of Cape Town introduced 240-litre wheelie bins for refuse collection. Traditionally, these bins were made from 100% virgin PEHD, but the City of Cape Town recently drew up a specification for the wheelie bins to be manufactured from 50%

he City of Cape Town and

Plastics|SA – the umbrella body of

Mpact Plastic Containers

the local plastics industry. The aim

were awarded the SAPRO

of the competition is to acknowledge

breaking in that the City of Cape Town

Trophy for the Recycled

recycled PE-HD. “The Fifty/50 wheelie bin is ground

products that are made from recycled

ignored the traditional concerns with

Product of the Year for their Fifty/50

materials and to encourage brand

regards to recycled products and

Wheelie Bin that was entered in the

owners and industrial designers

compiled a specification for their

Recycled Content Category.

to consider recycled plastics as a

product in order to ensure reliable,

material of choice.

robust and quality performance. They

managed, as it paves the way for

created the first closed-loop system

other municipalities in South Africa

The gala awards ceremony took place at Spier Wine Estate

“We had high hopes when we

in Stellenbosch, as one of the

launched our first Recycled Plastic

of its kind set up between a public

to follow suit,” commented Anton

highlights of South Africa’s Clean-Up

Product of the Year Awards in

authority and a private manufacturer

Hanekom, Executive Director of

and Recycle Week activities which

2010. We were both ambitious and

to ensure a steady supply of recyclate.

Plastics|SA and one of the judges of

took place from 14-19 September.

optimistic at the beginning, and

Thirty four products in four different

had no idea just how impactful and

City of Cape Town collected 391 tons

categories made it to the finals of

prestigious this SAPRO initiative

of bin material in exchange of new

this year’s competition that was

would become in later years. Every

Fifty/50 bins. The judges agreed

hosted by the South African Plastics

year we host this competition, we are

that this was a text book example

Recycling Organisation (SAPRO) and

reminded of just how important the

of how the entire process should be

In the last seven months alone, the

this year’s competition. www.plasticsinfo.co.za

Summit for youth to engage in building a greener future

T

culmination of a year

to build a generation of leaders

of environmental work

who are committed to developing

by the students and

sustainable-minded communities,

preparation for the

societies and countries that will

Summit. The main

be a part of the green cities of the

focus of this year’s

future.” She also commended

Summit was food

Generation Earth’s partners – Tsogo

security, ahead of the

Sun, Nedbank, the US Embassy –

critical climate change

and local supporters – the Minister

negotiations in Paris at

of Environmental Affairs, the

COP21, taking place in

Department of Basic Education, Lead

December 2015. COP21

SA and Brand SA – for contributing

he Generation Earth

aims to achieve a new international

so significantly to Generation Earth.

Summit, which took place

agreement on the climate, applicable

“Working alongside partners

in October at Sandton

to all countries, with the aim of

and organisations that

Convention Centre, was

keeping global warming below 20˚C.

share our vision for a

enabled by Tsogo Sun in support of the

Constantinides, as a UN Ambassador,

sustainable future by

Summit’s campaign – to give young

will be presenting the innovative

making a difference

people a voice in the green space and

concepts developed by the council

to the environment,

mobilise them to take the reins to

members at the Generation Earth

is a critical

ensure a sustainable future for

Summit to COP21 in Paris.

component to

our planet.

The Summit, with 350 Generation

Ella Bella Constantinides is positive about the outcomes from the

Earth delegates chosen from the

Summit. “This is our fourth Summit,

participating school councils, was the

and over the years we have strived

our success,” she says. www.tsogosun.com

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

9

10

TAKE NOTE

T

he winner of the 5th

famers, in particular chicken farmers,

opportunities through partnerships

with a stable income stream that

annual Social Innovation

reduce their feed bills. “It offers a

with rural communities in running

will enable them to deliver better

Awards was a low-cost

replacement which is equally as

small scale fly farms,” says Evans.

services and be better equipped to

insect production unit

nutritious as fish-meal and is more

“The prize from the SAB

nourish young children.

for animal feed by Khepri Biosciences.

sustainable,” says Bridgit Evans, SAB

Foundation allows us to commission

Owner of Khepri Biosciences, Bandile

Foundation Manager.

the first six mobile fly farms for our

awarded to eight more projects,

Seed grants of R100 000 were

Dlabantu from the Eastern Cape,

The winning innovation was cost

pilot facility – a Chamdor abattoir

namely: SnappBox, Genie Lamp, The

was last week awarded a prize of

effective, sustainable and replicable,

that will process 100% of the waste

Lumkani early warning fire detection

R1.2- million for the commercialisation

and would have a significant impact

produced by the abattoir daily,” said

system, briGado. Abomakgereza

of the invention – a cost-effective

on social problems, particularly for

Dlabantu. “This site will employ 10

(Recycling Hustlers), Specialised

waste management method for

people in rural areas, the judging

people permanently and three part-

Deliveries, Lady Liberty and

food producers and abattoirs. The

panel said.

time, allowing us the opportunity to

Eggmobile Social Project.

container unit is able to process

“While all of this year’s entrants

increase the funding, and to build a

All winners receive their grant

organic waste onsite using fly larvae,

were of such an extremely high

plant with a capacity to take 60%

funding in tranches determined by

with a 40% reduction of the waste

standard (for the first time ever, all 14

of the organic waste in Gauteng and

their growth plan to commercialise

products. The larvae are converted

finalists were given some kind of seed

produce 100 000 tons of animal feed

and upscale the service and product.

into low cost animal feed protein.

funding), what made Bandile’s project

protein in five years’ time.”

Judges said the insect production unit would assist local emerging

stand out was his out-grower scheme which allows for increased job

TREE FELLING TREE MAINTENANCE SITE CLEARING SUPPLIER OF WOOD CHIPS FULLY INSURED

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“The prize money for all categories was increased this year

SECOND AND THIRD PLACE

because we want the award to

Gradesmatch, an innovative system

have an impact, and also inflation

designed to enhance the way in which

has taken its toll over the years.

high school learners interact with

SAB believes that investing in the

higher learning institution and bursars

country’s entrepreneurs will help to

in South Africa, was awarded the

grow South Africa’s economy. Each

second place grant of R600 000. The

year we look for innovations which

innovation matches learners’ high

address social challenges and

school marks with the institution

assist our intended beneficiaries

entrance requirements. Gradesmatch

– women, youth, people with

breaks down the student’s results

disabilities and people living in rural

by subject, showing them how to

areas,” said Evans.

improve or to find alternative paths to

The SAB Foundation Social

follow best suited to their strengths. It

Innovation Awards has, to

also provides career information.

date, invested R20 million in 63

Third place winner Lakheni,

innovations which are geared

which gives low income families

towards benefiting the SAB

access to discounted food items,

Foundation’s core beneficiaries.

won a R400 000 grant. Lakheni provides poorly resourced crèches

SAB Innovation Award winner Bandile Dlabantu with (right) SAB Corporate Affairs and Transformation Executive Director Monwabisi Fandeso and (left) SAB Foundation Chairman Moss Mgoasheng.

52 Verdun Road, Kya Sands, Johannesburg Fax: 086 530 6656 Email: brandstf@mweb.co.za

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BrandsQB_Aug2013.indd 1

2013/08/13 7:27 AM

www.sabfoundation.co.za

THEPOWER POWEROF OFORANGE ORANGE THE It’sIt’s odd to wipe wipe toxic chemicals all over over your oven, floors, counters, andand toilets in order order to get get them “clean,” butbut that’s justjust what odd to wipe toxic chemicals all over your oven, floors, counters, toilets in order to get them “clean,” that’s what It’s odd to toxic chemicals all your oven, floors, counters, and toilets in to them “clean,” but that’s just what the majority of us do with conventional cleaners.

Advertisers spent billions in 2011 to entice shoppers to buy more and more the majority of us do with conventional cleaners.

Advertisers spent billions in 2011 to entice shoppers to buy more and more the majority of us do with conventional cleaners. Advertisers spent billions in 2011 to entice shoppers to buy more and more stuff.

SoSo it’sit’s notnot surprising that ourour homes areare fullfull of things things wewe don’t even useuse — or or like.

This stuff justjust so happens happens to be be where stuff. surprising that homes of things don’t even — like. or like.

This stuff so happens to where be where stuff.

So it’s not surprising that our homes are full of we don’t even use — This stuff just so to a lot lot of toxic toxic chemicals lurk.

It’sIt’s thethe small changes that make thethe bigbig differences over time.

Cleaning products areare necessary a lot of toxic chemicals lurk. small changes that make differences over time.

Cleaning products necessary a of chemicals lurk.

It’s the small changes that make the big differences over time.

Cleaning products are necessary forfor maintaining attractive and healthful conditions in the the home andand workplace.

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12

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES

The triple bottom line and the plastics industry

P

lastics|SA has just

2016 event will once again draw close

• Alec Erwin was Minister of Public

freelance journalist, columnist and

released the exciting

to 300 key role players and decision

Enterprises in South Africa from

social commentator, who currently

line-up of speakers who

makers of the plastics industry as

2004 to 2008. Prior to this he was

runs his own company called Flux

will be presenting at the

we get together to discuss and learn

Minister of Trade and Industry. Mr

Trends. Chang works both locally

second industry-specific conference

more about issues that have a direct

Erwin will be the second keynote

and internationally.

on Wednesday, 16 March 2016 as part

impact on our businesses, day-to-day

speaker of the day, and will focus

of the Pro-Plas Africa Conference

operations and future prospects,”

his talk on what the local plastics

To register visit

that will be taking place from

says Anton Hanekom, Executive

industry should do to ensure that

www.plasticsinfo.co.za

15 – 18 March 2016 at the Expo

Director of Plastics|SA.

it not only survives, but thrives in a

or email the organisers at

challenging economic climate.

conference@plasticssa.co.za

Centre, NASREC, Johannesburg.

The theme for next year’s

The programme has now been confirmed with the

conference is “The Triple Bottom

following presenters:

Line and the Plastics Industry”,

• Dame Lesley Anne Glover is a

• Jason J. Drew has been described as leaders’ by Leadership Magazine.

and will see local and international

Scottish biologist and academic. She

speakers unpack the issue of how

was Professor of Molecular biology

people, planet and profit are affected

and Cell biology at the University of

by the current and future plastics

Aberdeen before being named Vice-

involved in various investigations

environment.

Principal for External Affairs and

into customs duty amendments,

Dean for Europe. Professor Glover

including anti-dumping and other

“Following on the success of

for more information.

one of ‘Africa’s most inspiring green • Mefane Makhutla is the HR Director for Astrapak.

• Meluleki Nzimande has been

our first-ever conference that took

will be the first opening keynote

place three years ago at the last

speaker and will share her views on

Propak Africa Expo, we look forward

how the global plastics industry is

introduction as South Africa’s

to continuing the dialogue and

rising to the challenge to improve its

leading corporate trend analyst

discussions. We expect that the

triple bottom line.

and design consultant, as well as

trade remedy investigations.

• Dion Chang needs very little

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS &TAKE SERVICES NOTE

Make the environmental choice with Belgotex

B

elgotex Floors’ recently released their Sustainability Report detailing their ongoing

‘Green Journey’ to ensure a greener tomorrow for all its stakeholders.

Although their growing ‘Eco collection’ of carpets, backings and underlays contributes towards green design, Belgotex’s focus is more on resource efficiency and cleaner production than just producing a range of green materials.

Belgotex is cognisant of the fact that floorcoverings (carpets) can have a negative impact on the health and well-being of humans and the environment, and therefore it designs and develops floorcoverings under the following sustainable guidelines: • Extending the life of an existing product through responsible manufacturing techniques and processes • Developing products that can be reworked in their existing form • Using raw materials that can be recycled at the end of their useful aesthetic life • Using recycled content whenever

Under his watchful guard, Belgotex developed a policy that

materials and recycle waste from its operations wherever possible.

addresses resource efficiency

it is both economically and

and cleaner production against

REDUCE

Erema machine enables the

environmentally feasible

environmental imperatives and

Stackable, mobile metal crates

company to recycle production

product responsibility. “Our main

have replaced cardboard boxes or

waste back into Eco fibre which is

goal is to operate a green factory

packaging of any kind in their yarn

used in the production of standard

the company produces a range of

wherever economically and

processing operations, reducing the

ranges. Effectively reducing their

flooring products that satisfy criteria

environmentally feasible,” he explains.

amount of packaging to be recycled

waste rates from their carpet

or sent to landfills. Bulk storage silos

production processes to close to

Certified to ISO14001 standards,

for both GBCSA- Materials credits

Careful examination of their

(EMS, recycled content, and product

operations identified the use of raw

and stretch wrap are used wherever

zero, the Erema machine offers up

stewardship), as well as for Indoor

materials, energy management,

possible to eliminate the need for raw

to 20% energy savings, resulting in

Environment Quality credits (by

carbon management, water

material packaging.

lower production costs and reduced

meeting the strict requirements for

management and air quality as having

volatile organic compound (VOC)

significant considerations.

CO2 emissions.

REUSE Belgotex’s Flooring Reclamation

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

to improve their production processes

resources in their manufacturing

programme collects used or uplifted

Belgotex carpets and underlays

and products Belgotex centres its

operations, as well as the energy

carpets from central collections

have been tested and contain no

operations based on the three pillars

used for that production results

points to be cleaned and sent to

harmful volatile organic compound

of sustainability (environmental,

in continuous investment in new

NGO’s such as KZN Wildlands for re-

(VOC) emissions, and meet

social and economic) and it is here

technology to enhance existing

use and redistribution to impoverished

the strict requirements for the

where the greatest gains in terms of

products and develop new ones. These

communities in their 'Green-preneur'

Green Building Council’s indoor

sustainability are being made.

upgrades have reduced energy and/or

project. Acquisition of innovative bit-

environmental quality.

raw material consumption, without any

winders has seen the elimination of a

loss of productivity or quality.

complete stream of waste by creating

Rest assured, whatever floor you

grade one yarn from waste creel-ends.

choose from Belgotex Floors, it will

emissions.) In their continued efforts

“At Belgotex, sustainability extends way beyond mere environmental management and traditional

Analysis of the use of natural

In line with the well-known 3R’s of

recycling,” comments Kevin Walsh,

waste management – Reduce, Reuse

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

and Recycle – Belgotex seek to reduce

RECYCLE

at Belgotex.

inputs (for energy/resources), reuse

The acquisition of a new R5 million

always be green. www.belgotex.co.za

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

15

BEST BUILDINGS AND MATERIALS OF 2015

Green building rapidly taking hold in South Africa

to positioning itself as the fastest growing sustainable building country in the

world. This is driven not only by the environmental aspect, but increasingly so by the economic benefits of green

The most notable part of the results

building. More and more developers are

are that it is not a trend localised to

adopting a sustainable approach.

one part of the world or to developed

The growth of green building in

countries. From 2012 to 2015, the

70%

By 2050, of the world’s population will be living in urban areas

South Africa trumps that of established

number of firms anticipating that more

sustainability building regions such as

than 60% of their work will be green

Europe, Australia, United States, United

more than triples in South Africa; more

Arab Emirates, Singapore and Brazil.

than doubles in Germany, Norway and

This was confirmed in a World Green

Brazil; and grows between 33% and

of built-in payback with environmental

Building Trends survey run by US-based

68% in the United States, Singapore,

stewardship creates a new value

McGraw-Hill Construction.*

the United Kingdom, the United Arab

proposition that is accelerating in

Emirates, and Australia.

all regions of the globe.” says John

THE RESULTS ARE CLEAR – GREEN BUILDING IS GROWING ACROSS THE GLOBE

“Global dialogue helps us rebalance the built environment with our

Mandyck, Chief Sustainability Officer UTC Climate, Controls and Security.

natural environment. By sharing new

contractors, building owners and

building professionals can make more

SOCIAL REASONS FOR BUILDING GREEN

building consultants around the world

informed decisions about the future of

The social factors that most firms

report that they are focusing their work

buildings. The report confirms that the

rate as important reasons for building

on sustainable design and construction

green building movement has shifted

green are that it promotes greater

by doing at least 60% of their projects

from ‘push’ to ‘pull’, with markets

health and well-being, and that it

green, increasing from only 13% of them

increasingly demanding no less than

encourages sustainable business

at this level in 2009. Looking forward,

green buildings. By promoting greater

practices. When firms were asked to

continued growth is also reported,

efficiencies for energy and water,

narrow their important factors to the

nearly doubling again to 51% of firms

green buildings lower building costs

top three, health and well-being, as

reporting that they expect to be at high

while conserving the earth’s precious

well as sustainable business practices

levels of green activity in just three years.

resources. This powerful combination

tied, indicating the importance that

28% of architects, engineers,

ideas and examining the latest data,

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Green_Building_Trends_SmartMarket_Report_2013.pdf

S

outh Africa is well on its way

* www.worldgbc.org/files/8613/6295/6420/World_

16

BEST BUILDINGS AND MATERIALS OF 2015

green building can have in both driving

With the need

a larger sustainability market and

to address

delivering healthier spaces in which to

the mobility of

live and work.

these increasing

The growth of improved health and

Sustainability is not just about green building design and construction – it is about infrastructure

populations, developing

place to be more

Schooling sees STAG’s commitment

‘green-minded’, has

to green development as one of the

an impact which is not

company’s biggest advantages; “In

just local – it is global.

the very near future, it will be it the

Ultimately, we need to realise

preferred way of building. Our aim is

productivity benefits as key reasons

countries enjoy an historic

that whether a ton of greenhouse gas

to be known as the most innovative

for building green, as compared to

opportunity to bypass the

(GHG) emissions is released in North

green company in Africa, not just in the

2012, is even more notable. Greater

blunders of industrial and post-

America, Africa or Asia, its effect on

student accommodation sector, but

health and well-being nearly doubled,

industrial urbanism, by committing

the planet is the same. Sustainability

for all of our projects.”

growing by 88% as a top reason. Even

to low-carbon transportation.

is not just about green building

more dramatically, increased worker

Amid the challenges posed by

design and construction – it is about

developing skills in its local areas

productivity nearly tripled in impact.

rapid change, developing countries

infrastructure. Cities around the world

of operation to prepare for a more

have the opportunity to cut straight

are in the early stages of mobilising

environmentally aware construction

global opinion on how green building

to contemporary best-practice

against the effects of global warming

sector; an initiative which fits

can improve the human condition.

solutions. However, to capitalise

through green infrastructure solutions.

perfectly within the company’s much

This suggests that there is a unifying

on this opportunity, rapidly growing

ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS FOR BUILDING GREEN

With this in mind, STAG is already

more encompassing philosophy of

GREEN COMPANY, GREEN BUILDING, GREEN JOBS

enriching lives.

Leading the way in the student

the moment to promote internal

environmental reasons for green

accommodation sector is STAG

development through green skills

building. Of course, other critical

African, who changed their company

and green jobs. We are committed to

reasons for building green are:

direction in 2008 due to the property

creating unique skills in the use of new

• Water-use reduction

crisis and recession: “Developers

technology in the green building sector

• Improved indoor air quality

were crashing left, right and centre

and have received a lot of support from

• Lower Greenhouse gas emissions

and we found ourselves in some

the Department of Higher Education

• Protecting natural resources

serious trouble. We had to innovate

and Training to do so,” says Schooling.

in order to survive. During that time

“We project around 6 700 employment

first time in history, more than half of

we identified an opportunity to

opportunities based on our current

the global population lives in urban

develop, build, operate and finance

work scope, this will go a long way in

areas. By 2050, 70% of the world’s

student residences,” says John

addressing high unemployment rates

population will be living in urban areas,

Schooling, MD and founder of student

and upskilling young job seekers with

according to the United Nations (UN).

accommodation group, STAG African.

sustainable skills.”

Energy-use reduction tops the

The world is urbanising. For the

Over 95% of that growth is expected to occur in developing countries.

cities must commit to lowcarbon transportation.

Whatever systems we can put in

With university budgets facing

“Not enough is being done at

Over the next five years STAG

major constraints and cutbacks

African want to build 50 000-beds,

from national government, student

with at least 30 000 of those being

accommodation in South Africa is in a

constructed under management;

dire state. The knock on effect of poor

“We approach every development

accommodation is directly linked to

holistically and take the social, physical,

the high failure rate at universities.

financial, political and environmental

“By creating optimally designed

impact of our proposal into account.

residences, the pass rate can be

We then apply our founding principal of

increased from 60% to 80%.

developing green skills, for green jobs

Simply put, by not providing adequate

for a green economy,” says Schooling.

housing, we’re setting up our learners

Green building is rapidly taking hold

to fail. The ramifications are huge,”

in South Africa, with its share of firms

says Schooling.

that are highly dedicated to green

The problem for universities is that

building growing at a faster rate than in

the cost of student accommodation

any other part of the world. As a result,

is very expensive. Using green building

South Africa takes its place among

practices, STAG African is able to

the leaders of green building. The

reduce building time by 40% and the

significant expected growth of green

costs associated to it dramatically.

suggests that South Africa may be a

At universities, where cost ultimately

ripe market for green technologies,

is the deciding factor, sustainable,

practices and solutions.

environmentally building is an obvious economic choice.

www.stagprop.com

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

17

18

BEST BUILDINGS AND MATERIALS OF 2015

Menlyn Maine Pegasus gets 4-Star Green Star Rating

S

olid Green consulting was

achieving this significant milestone

founded in 2010 by Marloes

and for becoming a leading consulting

Reinink, and is celebrating

firm in the green building sector,

its fifth anniversary this

having been responsible for a very

year. The company completed its

significant proportion of the 130

Maine has brought together a group

steel in the rebar. Building services

10th certification in December 2014,

Green Star SA certifications to date.

of professionals who are already well

are optimised to improve building

four years after it was formed. In

It is organisations such as Solid

versed in sustainable building design

performance and to reduce energy

2015 another 10 ratings have been

Green that are key enablers, working

and construction in order to make a

and water consumption which in turn

achieved. These Green Star SA

with the GBCSA, to transform

green precinct possible.

is actively monitored by a Building

ratings include Design and As-Built

the built environment into a more

ratings for New Office buildings, a

sustainable one."

Public Education building, a Multi-

Pegasus includes passive design initiatives such as using the building

Management System (BMS).

Solid Green Consulting is a

Menlyn Maine Pegasus was the

orientation and sizing of the floor

sustainable building consultancy

unit Residential building, Office

very first building registered with the

plates for optimal daylight in the

based in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Interior ratings and Existing Building

GBCSA for a Green Star SA Rating in

building, and using the site and

Over and above green building

Performance ratings. The Menlyn

2009. It is a located on the corner of

building hard surfaces to collect

consulting services, Solid Green

Maine Pegasus project is an important

January Masilela Drive and Amarand

rainwater. Sustainability initiatives

has also developed building energy

landmark to celebrate the company

Avenue, Pretoria and will house Regus

have been drawn through design into

monitoring solutions through

doubling its output over the last year.

and BMW amongst others.

construction by, for example, making

Solid Insight and building energy

The developers of Menlyn Maine

use of coated glazing for improved

modelling services.

Officer at the GBCSA says: "The

have their sights set on certifying all

thermal control, concrete with

GBCSA congratulates Solid Green on

the buildings in the precinct. Menlyn

reduced cement content and recycled

Manfred Braune, Chief Technical

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

www.solidgreen.co.za

Greening up hospital grounds

S

G e n u i n e c o m p e t i t i o n

THE NEW HOSPITAL IS NOW BRINGING SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE‌RIGHT ON THEIR DOORSTEP

Terracrete blocks.�

following the opening of a new private

To accommodate patients and staff on

final planting process of the

hospital in the region. The R400

arrival, the parking area on the hospital

pavers: “All the blocks were

million, 100-bed Busamed Paardevlei

grounds needed structurally functional

brush filled with a topsoil

Private Hospital in Strand is the first of

and aesthetically pleasing hard

and organic fertiliser mix

four hospitals to open in the country.

landscaped surfaces for parking, roads

of a high compost fraction

and various pedestrian areas. Based on

(40/60). The soil was then

Busamed hospital group, it boasts

a council directive that the parking on

lightly compacted and

state-of-the-art medical wards,

beach road edges should be soft and

watered, and finally seeded

including maternity and neonatal

green, this included creating parking

with 40g per m² of warm

wards, high care, and an intensive care

areas paved with permeable pavers

season grass (Cynodon

unit (ICU) among its specialist units.

that would allow groundwater to return

dactylon). Once the grass

Says Dr Diliza Mji, whose company

to the aquifer in the area.

started germinating after

ince June this year, residents of Strand and Somerset West will have access to wide selection of health services,

Launched by the black-owned

Goldenwood has a 60% stake in the

BEST BUILDINGS AND MATERIALS OF 2015

Both Jon Whiting, paving contractor

Richard Hartsuiker, of

i s

Vula Environmental Services, describes the

g o o d fo r t h e

c o n s u m e r Imitators are

NOT

TERRA FORCE

five to ten days, the parking

Busamed: “Even though there is a

and Tanya de Villiers, CNdV Africa,

lots were transformed into

presence of some private hospitals

approved a locally designed hard

attractive green zones along

in the area, these didn’t cater for

lawn paver. Says Whiting: “We chose

the length of the hospitals

everyone. Patients who needed

the Terracrete interlocking grass

exterior grounds.�

vascular surgery, rheumatology

paver, designed by Terraforce and

De Villiers is also very

and orthopaedic oncology services,

manufactured by Cape Retaining

pleased with the resulting

for instance, had to venture out of

Systems, because of its unique

appearance of the grassed

Somerset and Strand and travel

aesthetics and ability to return storm

Terracrete pavers: “I think

to areas such as Stellenbosch or

water to the ground via its permeable

they worked out rather well!�

Cape Town if they wanted access to

characteristics and sand substrate.

Find your nearest supplier www.terraforce.com

these services.�

In total, we installed 1 700m² of

www.terraforce.com

Te l : 0 2 1 4 6 5 1 9 0 7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

19

20

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

Good stormwater management starts with the plan,

so get it right

F

SRK Consulting's Murray Sim, Nic Brien and James Lake

ailure to plan effective

consulting engineers and scientists

Morris. “In many cases, this leads to

with the design engineer using the

stormwater systems

SRK Consulting, not enough

a situation in which ‘retrofitting’ of

conceptual plan as a guideline to

in new developments

consideration is given in many new

the surface water infrastructure that

produce the final SWMP.”

puts projects and

developments – both large and

may compromise best practice in

neighbouring assets at risk – and

small – to the management of

what is finally installed.”

while urbanisation continues and

surface water so that downstream

As a result, many existing

the environmental authorisation or

global climate change brings more

or adjacent properties are not

developments have outdated

building plan approval stages. The

extreme weather, these stormwater

negatively impacted.

systems that do not incorporate

process of generating a detailed

more holistic and environmentally-

plan frequently comes to an end as

this vital element of engineering,

aware approach favoured by experts

soon as the conceptual SWMP has

choosing instead to focus on the

today, said Morris.

been approved.

management plans (SWMPs) are more vital than ever.

According to leading SA-based

“Many projects do not prioritise

business issues – which are often

A SWMP is generally required as

However, he said, this detailed stage is often overlooked during

“Many developers and authorities

considered more critical,” said SRK

part of most property development

do not fully understand the proper

Principal Engineer and Partner James

processes. According to SRK partner

process, so they treat the conceptual

and principal civil engineer Murray

design as the final SWMP,” he

Sim, small-scale projects would

said. “The result is an ineffective

submit SWMPs in compliance

installation that is not suitable

with municipal by-laws and these

for the conditions, so it may have

plans would be reviewed by the

incorrect storage volumes or outlet

local authority. For large-scale

configurations for attenuation

developments, SWMPs would

facilities. If the outlet pipe is too big,

also be required for environmental

for example, it cannot attenuate any

approvals by the Department of

water as there is nothing ‘throttling’

Environmental Affairs and the

the flow.”

Department of Water and Sanitation.

property changes hands: the

are normally only based on the

attenuation facilities are not

conceptual SWMP design, the

mentioned on any title

configuration of which is based on limited data,” said Sim. “On approval, the detailed design of the SWMP would then be carried out,

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

A further issue arises when the

“Environmental approvals

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

deeds, so the new owners may not be aware of the unintended implications when they make structural changes to maximise the land’s use. On occasion, attenuation facilities have even been filled in, with owners claiming ignorance that they were doing anything wrong.

“There is no easy solution to this problem,” said Sim, “but there is potentially more of a role here for

chance of problems arising when a

quality is maintained across

consulting engineers can

the local authority or governing body

storm event occurs.”

all developments.”

provide the necessary

for whom the SWMP was produced.

He said there was also scope to

Sim noted that municipalities

understanding of the hydrological,

They should insist on the approval of

apply more uniform standards to

could also play a more active

hydraulic and environmental

the SWMP by a registered engineer

these plans when they reach the

inspection role , to ensure that

aspects of the plan,” he said. “But

who has experience in this field of

detailed stage.

the SWMP design supplied by the

in the interests of sustainable best

developer during the building plan

practice, it is vital to emphasise that

engineering. This approval should

“Some consultants produce

include a review of the plan as well

a ‘Rolls Royce’ plan and others

approval processes is faithfully

consultants also need the mandate

as inspection during construction

may provide only a ‘Beetle’ version,”

applied during construction; proper

to go beyond the concept and into the

to make sure that the plan is being

he said. “There should be a

follow-up by municipal officials is

detail – and to ensure that the plan is

appropriately implemented. This

standard scope of works from

often not conducted effectively due

effectively implemented.”

would ensure that most SWMPs are

local authorities for all SWMPs,

to lack of capacity.

constructed correctly and reduce the

so that a level of consistency and

“When compiling an SWMP,

www.srk.co.za

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

21

22

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

Storm water management involving the ‘first flush’ principle

W

hile the trade-

al., (1998); Sansalone et al., (1998);

reach the catchment

off between

Deletic, (1998)).

outlet for some time

environmental sustainability and

The First Flush Principle is based

after the rainfall event

on the premise that pollutants

commences resulting

project feasibility can be difficult

deposited onto exposed

in a time lag. This time

to negotiate, an infrequently-used

catchments can be dislodged

lag is rarely an issue for

principle in South Africa may be able

and entrained by the rainfall-

to provide acceptable answers for

runoff process. A large variety of

all parties.

pollutants can be found in storm

is an important

water runoff. The characteristics of

consideration. Rainfall

Management, legislation and

these pollutants is highly dependent

does not easily dislodge

guidelines such as General Notice

on land usage. Pollutants can

and entrain some

704 of the South African National

come from atmospheric fallout,

pollutants (i.e. oils and

Water Act and the CSIR Guidelines

accidental spills, leakages, incorrect

greases) as easily or

for Human Settlement specify that

materials handling practices, or the

as quickly as soluble

large pollution-control dams or large

application of chemicals or wastes to

materials or fine dusts.

detention areas are necessary to

the catchment.

Further, bare soils and

In the sphere of Storm Water

maintain environmental integrity.

During a rainfall event, the initial

smaller catchments.

• Pollutant mobility

vegetated surfaces

While the release of dirty water into

surface water runoff will be more

are generally not

the natural environment without

polluted than the runoff occurring

cleansed as effectively as sealed,

such measures may very well

later during the event. This is due

impermeable surfaces.

compromise the environmental

to the catchment being ‘cleansed’

sustainability of a proposed project,

by the initial surface water runoff.

occurs when the supply of

storm water volumes. The first flush

the financial costs of implementing

The high initial pollutant load runoff

pollutants are finite. For example,

collection systems are therefore

such measures can make the project

is termed the ‘first flush’. Little

sediment (when considered the

employed to capture and isolate

itself unfeasible.

information exists on the depth of

pollutant) generated from soil

the most polluted runoff, with the

rainfall necessary to initially ‘cleanse’

erosion will not result in a first flush

subsequent surface water runoff

involves early separation of ‘dirty’

the polluted catchment surfaces:

due to the supply of soil particles

being diverted directly to the

(that which does not meet the water

the New South Wales Environmental

being unlimited. In instances such

clean storm water system. The

quality standards set out for the

Protection Agency recommends that

as this, sediment control measures

implementation of a first flush

area in question) and ‘clean’ water

the first 20mm of rainfall is sufficient

will also be required, such as

system can greatly reduce the

is adoption of what is called ‘The

to cleanse a catchment by dislodging

settling ponds or silt traps.

required Pollution Control Dam

First Flush Principle’. While very little

and entraining the pollutants. The

literature specific to South Africa

first flush is then contained in what

dam should be kept as empty

the legislative requirements of

exists in respect of this standard,

is termed a ‘first flush dam’, and the

as possible. The storm water

separating clean and dirty water

the principle has been adopted more

subsequent clean surface water

management system feeding

catchments. Having said this, no

extensively in the United States of

runoff is diverted to a clean water

the first flush system should

South African legislation governing

America (State of New Hampshire)

storm management system.

be maintained to ensure that

this principle is in existence at

the system has the necessary

this time.

A potential solution which

and Australia (New South Wales

There are, however, limitations

Environmental Protection Agency

to the application of the first

(NSW EPA) (Bertrand-Krajewski

flush principle:

et al. (1998); Saget et al., (1995);

• Particularly in large catchments,

• The first flush mechanism only

• The first flush containment

The existence of the first flush pollutant load provides an opportunity for controlling reduced

(PCD) capacities, while maintaining

capacity to remove the first flush contaminants effectively.

• The extent of pollutants ‘cleansed’

Karen King and Eugeshin Naidoo GCS Water and Environmental

Gupta and Saul, (1996); Sansalone

the initial runoff from the upper

from the catchment will differ with

Consultants

and Buchberger, (1997); Larsen et

reaches of the catchment may not

differing rainfall intensities.

(011) 803 5726

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER2015 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTALMANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT

GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT

23

Drilling of a new borehole to replace a compromised well at Mafa, roughly 90 km from Hluhluwe, on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast

Agricultural and community groundwater supply projects

I

n many rural parts of South

prioritised projects for which J&G was

CHALLENGES

Africa, access to groundwater

a turnkey appointment. Contractors

The coastal aquifer is not without

provides the only realistic option

included Welltek Services, KwaNatal

its challenges, since rural on-site

for a sustainable, safe drinking

Drilling CC, Franklin Electrical and

sanitation practices, waste disposal

Bayside Mode.

and burial sites often go unmonitored

water supply and can markedly increase local water security. However,

Supply scheme design was

A community initiative at Fiyangathemba extended the supply network to include a community garden

and exist in close proximity to

developing and managing groundwater

standardised and simplified to include

developed groundwater resources,

supplies can involve many challenges,

water source security, a short rising

thereby posing significant pollution

such as locating boreholes in low-

main to an elevated 5000-litre JoJo

risks in a highly transmissive host

productivity aquifers, testing for and

tank with a communal standpipe

environment that is shallow and largely

dealing with poor water chemistry,

and 500-litre drinking trough. These

unprotected by any natural barrier

managing groundwater with weak or

standardised criteria were tweaked in

between source and water table. The

absent regulation, contamination from

accordance with the limitations, if any,

challenge to the professional team was

onsite sanitation, and issues of ongoing

arising from the groundwater resource

how best to use their knowledge of

maintenance and non-functionality.

developed, thereby minimising design

the natural environment, coupled with

serviced by a locally based hardware

fees and allowing funds to go into the

the simplified design criteria, to make

supplier, and utilising brand-recognised

development of infrastructure which

the operation and maintenance of the

water tanks and their structurally

would most benefit communities.

projects sustainable over the medium

approved elevated stands.

The Department of Agriculture has been rolling out agricultural projects for several years – typically in the form of stock watering, community

The ‘aquifer system’ on the coastal

gardens and dipping tank projects

flats is highly productive and is targeted

– and consequently most projects

for both large-scale regional water

have consisted of developing a groundwater resource to supply a small-scale water supply scheme for agricultural purposes. It soon became apparent however that the benefits of the groundwater resource should be maximised to include potable water.

UMKHANYAKHUDE PROJECT In the Maputaland coastal flats of

and long term without significantly increasing costs.

Community standpipe and cattle trough at Fiyangathemba

The Department of Agriculture has chosen to hand over completed

This was achieved by targeting the

projects in their entirety to the

supply schemes (Ml/day) and localised

deeper aquifer where the additional

beneficiaries within each community

small- and medium-scale schemes (kl/

drilling costs were offset by lower

to operate and maintain as their own

day). Correctly constructed boreholes

long-term water treatment costs, the

asset. It is hoped that this sense of

located in productive areas commonly

installation of a single brand of locally

ownership will increase the viability

produce a sustainable yield of between

produced submersible pumps with a

of the projects and, ultimately, their

0.25 and 1Ml/day/borehole, with a

solid warranty and good after-sales

longevity and sustainability.

significant potential to supply potable

service, supplying locally manufactured

water to the inhabitants of the area.

generators that are supported and

While the Umkhanyakhude project does not rely on unusual or highly sophisticated engineering expertise,

Community standpipe and cattle watering trough at Munyu

its success lies in the innovative thinking

Umkhanyakhude, R5.94 million was

that produced practical solutions and

allocated in 2014/2015 for some 29

uncomplicated processes, specifically with long-term locally managed operations and maintenance in mind, and in the reduction of the unit cost for design and construction to less than R200 000 per project. Indeed, this is a community-based project that is serving the people well. www.jgi.co.za

Happiness is water on-tap

Community participation was always a key element to the successful implementation of the project

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

24

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

MaputalandPondolandAlbany region A global biodiversity hotspot

At the end of a successful 5-year investment in the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot (MPAH) by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), partners and grantees came together to celebrate this milestone.

in 12.8 million hectares of new protected areas across 22 different countries, securing some of the world’s most important biodiversity.

CEPF’s belief is that conservation is better with civil society involved, allowing partnerships with government to be strengthened and help guide development while taking the environment into consideration.

The four pillars which help guide this work are Biodiversity, Civil Society, Human Well Being and an Enabling Environment.

LOCAL INVESTMENT – THE MAPUTALAND-PONDOLANDALBANY HOTSPOT In 2005, the Maputaland-PondolandAlbany region was identified as one of

OVERVIEW OF THE CEPF AND CRITICAL ECOSYSTEMS WORLDWIDE

these global biodiversity hotspots. It

Everyone depends on Earth’s

endemism, namely the Maputaland,

ecosystems and their life-sustaining

Pondoland and Albany centres of

benefits, such as clean air, fresh

endemism. It covers an area of about

water and healthy soils. Founded

275 000 km² along the east coast

in 2000, the Critical Ecosystem

of southern Africa, below the Great

Partnership Fund is a global leader in

Escarpment – spanning South Africa,

enabling civil society to participate

Swaziland and Mozambique. Its

in, and benefit from, conserving

incredible levels of biodiversity and

some of the world’s most critical

endemism make it one of the most

ecosystems. It is a joint initiative of

important biodiversity hotspots in

l’Agence Française de Dévelopement,

Africa for its size.

Conservation International, the

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

organisations, which has resulted

is home to six of South Africa’s eight biomes and includes three centres of

The hotspot is under serious

Global Environment Facility, the

pressure due to unsustainable use

Government of Japan, the MacArthur

of natural resources, the spread

Foundation, the World Bank and the

of invasive alien species, human-

European Union, who has the mission

wildlife conflict, loss and degradation

of safeguarding biodiversity hotspots

of habitats, and overharvesting of

– the richest and most threatened

marine and estuarine resources.

reservoirs of plant and animal life

In 2010, the CEPF initiated a

on earth. Over the past 15 years,

$6.65 million investment in the region

CEPF has invested over $191 million

that would “support civil society

into more than 1 900 civil society

in applying innovative approaches

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Representatives from a number of grantee organisations from Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa who carried out work through CEPF’s investment in the MPAH attend the final forum to discuss achievements and the way forward.

to conserving under-capacitated

initiatives with 520 direct jobs created.

and markets to secure biodiversity,

Kevin McCann

protected areas, key biodiversity

With the investment coming to a

continually improve capacity in the

Deputy Director: Conservation SPACE

areas and priority corridors, thereby

close at the end of 2015, The CEPF,

region and make areas more resilient

Wildlands

enabling changes in policy and

Wildlands, and the South African

to climate change. On behalf of civil

KevinM@wildlands.co.za

building resilience in the region’s

National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

society in South Africa, Swaziland

ecosystems and economy to sustain

convened the final MPAH Forum in

and Mozambique, Wildlands thanks

biodiversity in the long term”.

KwaZulu-Natal on 13 - 14 October

CEPF for their amazing support and

2015. This celebration showcased

investment into the Maputaland-

in their capacity as the Regional

the achievements made by project

Pondoland-Albany hotspot over the

Implementation Team for the

grantees in the region and highlighted

past five years.

investment, a total of 59 civil

the relationships built, partnerships

society organisations have been

established, and the passion shown by

supported over the past five years.

people to reach their project goals and

This funding was directed into these

harness opportunities.

Through the guidance of Wildlands,

organisations in the form of 38 large

Wildlands is committed to building

grants and 50 small grants within the

on this foundation, particularly

following strategies:

in sustaining the gains made on

• Strengthen protection and

the ground and strengthening the

management in under-capacitated

network of learning across the region.

protected areas

Wildlands will focus on scaling

• Explore innovative approaches to

up these gains,

conservation area expansion in key

empowering

biodiversity areas

new partnerships

• Maintain and restore ecosystem

and biodiversity

function and integrity within

stewards, and

broader corridors

influencing

• Improve the enabling environment within the Hotspot.

The investment catalysed an improvement in conservation management of 1 107 342 hectares across the hotspot, including 404 023

emerging policies

157 training

interventions

127

communities supported

520

direct jobs created

ha in protected areas and 703 319 ha outside protected areas. 331 158 ha of new protected areas were secured through the Biodiversity Stewardship process, with a further 79 788 ha currently under negotiation. Through the investment, 253 threatened species are now better protected or managed. The investment also played a crucial role in building capacity in the hotspot with 157 training interventions that benefited a total of 25 221 recipients. It further supported 127 different communities through various

Daniel Rothberg, Grant Director of CEPF, thanking grantee Steve Collins of the African Safari Foundation for his involvement in the MPAH.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

25

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

365

N

-day rescue service for seabirds

early 350 seabird species

(including the endangered Bank

inhabit the global

cormorant and Cape cormorant), terns,

marine environment.

pelagic birds (such as albatrosses and

Alarmingly, almost

petrels), oystercatchers, gulls, pelicans

all of the species of seabirds that

and other coastal and seabirds that

occur in southern Africa are under

are found in the region. On average,

severe threat due to a shortage of

SANCCOB admits 24 different seabird

suitable food, human pollution risks

species for rehabilitation per year, and

(such as oil spills, plastics and other

has treated more than 95 000 seabirds

hazardous materials), habitat loss

since its establishment in 1968.

and predation. As indicators of the

SANCCOB offers a 24-hour, 365-day

wider marine ecosystem, there is

rescue service for seabirds in Cape

considerable concern about the poor

Town, in the Western Cape and Cape

conservation status of seabirds in

St Francis, in the Eastern Cape. Birds

southern Africa.

are admitted to the facilities in the

SANCCOB (the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation

following ways:

of Coastal Birds) is a non-profit

1 Staff members are called out by the

BLUE FUND

The Blue Fund creates a platform

organisation whose primary

public to rescue and capture a bird in distress

Recently, SANCCOB’s veterinary

of support for all passionate South Africans and conservation

of seabird populations through the

2 Colony managers identify seabirds

hospital received a considerable upgrade through the generous

organisations who are committed

rescue, rehabilitation and release

in need of SANCCOB’s care in the wild and

donation of an X-ray machine from

to conserving our spectacular

of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled

transport them to its centres with the help

the Blue Fund. The Blue Fund was

coastal and marine resources.

seabirds – especially endangered

of penguin monitors

founded through a partnership

It was established through a partnership between Grindrod

the Bank cormorant. The organisation

3 The organisation responds to an

between Wildlands and Grindrod Financial Services to provide

Financial Services and Wildlands.

works closely with colony managers

emergency situation such as an oil spill

much needed funding required for

The work focuses on coastal and marine conservation and also aims

in the wild and bring them to one of

4 Members of the public and

marine and coastal conservation work. Given SANCCOB’s long

to support livelihoods of coastal

its two centres for rehabilitation and

‘first responders’ from the surrounding

history of saving seabirds in

communities, especially where

hand-rearing.

communities bring birds in need of

southern Africa, the Blue Fund

these livelihoods are linked directly

the organisation’s help to one of

was eager to assist in improving

with marine environments.

SANCCOB’s centres

the facility’s operations. Since its

penguins, at both of its strategically

5 Once the birds reach the SANCCOB

installation in 2015, the veterinary staff at SANCCOB have been

Blue Fund, please contact

placed centres in Cape Town (Western

centres (either in Cape Town or in Cape St.

able to identify and treat various

Mark Gerrard, Conservation

Cape) and Cape St. Francis (Eastern

Francis), the rehabilitation staff admit,

seabird patients admitted to its

Grants Manager for Wildlands,

Cape). Other seabirds treated by

stabilise, diagnose and put each bird on an

centre much more efficiently and

at markg@wildlands.co.za or

SANCCOB include cormorants

individual rehabilitation regime.

effectively than before.

objective is to reverse the decline

seabirds like the African penguin and

to identify seabirds in need of care

In a non-spill year, SANCCOB treats almost 2 500 seabirds, of which approximately 1 500 are African

Should you wish to contribute to, or find out more about the

0798822760. Alternatively, visit www.grindrodbank.co.za/ BlueFundHome.aspx

LUCKY ALBATROSS One lucky patient for which the new X-ray machine was used for was a juvenile shy albatross that was found at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on 23 September 2015. The bird was extremely weak and exhausted upon admission to the SANCCOB’s seabird centre in Table View. Once stabilised, the Albatross was X-rayed as these birds are often victims of swallowing fishing hooks. Luckily, the radio-graph showed no indication of foreign bodies (i.e. hooks). The bird was subsequently put onto a specific rehabilitation regime which included treatment with antibiotics and anti-fungal medication, a diet of pilchards and immune-boosting food supplements, and regular exercise in the pool. After only ten days, the bird had regained more than a kilogram of its body weight, its feathers were once again waterproof, it was healthy and, therefore, ready for release. With the help of a pelagic boat operator, Zest for Birds, the albatross was taken 40 nautical miles of Cape Point where it was released back into the wild.

Francois Louw | SANCCOB Development and Marketing Coordinator francois@sanccob.co.za Tel: 021 557 6155 NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

south

CONTRIBUTORS: FRANCOIS LOUW (SANCCOB), NICKY STANDER (SANCCOB)

26

LANDSCAPE Launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the overarching vision and strategy of the Diamond Route links six properties as a holistic project through ecosystem and species conservation, the development of urban conservation, water management, climate change initiatives, through to conservation and restoring areas under its stewardship to their natural ecological state.

Diamond

Route

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERWIN NIEMAND

C

onceived in Johannesburg on the occasion of the 2nd World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the Diamond Route today links De Beers nature reserve and heritage sites with Debswana in Botswana into one holistic entity.

Six properties dedicated to species conservation and restoring areas are under

stewardship towards their natural ecological state. Accessible to the public, these sites protect their resident species, the great, the small and the minute, in what is an ecological treasure based, unexpectedly, on mining and known as the Diamond Route.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

27

28

LANDSCAPE

The concept originated in an idea of the passionate naturalist, Strilli Oppenheimer to create an informal vehicle to bind together – and realise natural value greater than the sum of the parts – of various nature reserves associated with diamond mining and the people who helped shape the diamond industry that we know today.

Mapungubwe baobab

The Diamond Route traces its Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM*)

WHAT COMPRISES THE DIAMOND ROUTE?

forum of ecologists, environmental,

The nature reserve sites are where

Corporate Affairs and small and

the Diamond Route comes alive

medium enterprise experts. It is still

and www.diamondroute.com is a

mostly sustained by employees

knowledge sharing platform. It is an

who volunteer time to furthering

almost intangible ‘diamond route

the concept envisaged for the

for the enquiring mind’ where the

Diamond Route.

majority of people who have never set

origin as an Oppenheimer and De

foot in one of the spotless camp sites

With Anglo American acquiring the Oppenheimer shareholding in

or explore a reserve on their knees

De Beers in 2012, its conservation

by engaging with the tiny world of

sites connection to De Beers are no

nature up close, can appreciate what

longer in place, so going forward the

really supports the more obvious large

Diamond Route will be an entirely De

mammals – such as humans.

Beers initiative. Nicky Oppenheimer

The Dronfield, Benfontein,

announced the change recently and

Rooipoort nature reserves and

Phillip Barton, De Beers Consolidated

The Big Hole are all in the greater

Mines CEO and Chair of the Diamond

Kimberley region of the Northern

Route Trustees, welcomed the

Cape. Venetia Limpopo Reserve is

agreement that the founders

near the Venetia diamond mine close

would continue a relationship by

to the Limpopo River border with Zimbabwe. In Botswana , the

participating jointly in the annual

Debswana*** Orapa Mine

Oppenheimer and De Beers Diamond Route Research Conference. This conference is an important highlight in the calendar of interested researchers and activists since 2010.

joined the Diamond Route The Diamond Route is a biodiversity in 2014 and there are conservation, education discussions underway with Debswana about and outreach initiative from De Beers, Ponahalo the Jwaneng Mines park and with Namdeb Holdings and the regarding their ecology Oppenheimer family

ecology and DBCM properties,

began to take

facets than a Forevermark brilliant

is responsible for DBCM Ecology

an interest

cut diamond! It has a side to it in

in South Africa. He explained:

in nature

biodiversity, cultural and heritage

“Conservation standards are only as

conservation

conservation and diverse research

good as they might be if effectively

and that practise

papers generated and often based on

implemented, and meaningful when

has matured

work hosted by the ecology properties

they are evaluated to the degree

over the decades into

of De Beers, Debswana, Namdeb or

that we are confident we exceed

a professional operation. It also

to the properties and believes sharing

De Beers Canada.

the criteria applicable to globally

includes rehabilitating land which was

the concept might encourage similar

threatened, regionally threatened and

historically disturbed by mining and

initiatives. “I hope that new initiatives

the standards implemented on the

biome and range restricted species.

agricultural business, notably in the

arise where there are still relatively

ecology properties are rigorous.

We are proud to also be included as an

Venetia area where the consequences

natural tracts of land, be they in the

Properties apply national, Company

Important Bird Area (IBA)."

of farming between the 1950s and

rural areas or smaller tracts in urban

1980s are still being addressed.

areas devoted to future generations.

The Diamond Route has more

Conservation is a science and

as well as a charter of standards.

A large number of endangered

Route initiative.

Phillip Barton is a regular visitor

However, the peer reviews possibly

species occur naturally on the

provide the most input in living up to

properties, some owned and

is available by booking visits** and

are doing exceptional work, as

expectations.

conserved by De Beers since the late

accessing information on

has been done by a few mining

1800s. The early leadership of DBCM

www.diamondroute.com.

companies. Such conservation

Piet Oosthuizen, Senior Manager:

Managed public access to the sites

related properties

considering the Diamond

“In South Africa many individuals

Footnotes: *DBCM is the South African BBBEE company owned by the De Beers Group and Ponahalo Holdings, the black empowerment and employee and pensioner owned entity which acquired its 26% interest in 2006. **Contact the Ecology team in Kimberley to visit De Beers Diamond Route properties: reservations@debeersgroup. com, or call Cindy Carls: Tel: +27 (53) 839-4455 Fax: +27 (53) 839-4210.***Footnote: Debswana is a 50:50 partnership established in 1969 between the Republic of Botswana and the De Beers Group.

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

LANDSCAPE

Diamond Route - Limpopo Basin - Venetia - The basic, stable social unit of the elephant consist of a group of closely related females and their young of varying ages. A single elephant calf is born after a gestation period of 22 months. This herd is clearly protective of its youngsters.

will have a positive impact on the

people, support education and

the development of new knowledge

original properties to the South

environment and on preserving or

training programmes near to where

in successful management of rhino

African ornithological community.

restoring the fast declining land

the various nature reserves operate.

populations in the Kalahari.

The properties remain home to more

stock, especially as urbanisation

This engagement has assisted 261

accelerates in Africa. We must look

people to find permanent jobs and

reserve which identified 233 species

species – including 40 endemic and

to the north – to Asia, America or

the nature reserve sites have so

belonging to 39 families and

69 species on the Red Data list.

Europe – to see what we can do to

far hosted at least 140 biodiversity

revealed fives species previously

avoid the negative impact on life

research projects.

described and three that represent

heads of agreement preamble, a

new recordings for South Africa.

wider scope was defined to include

• The discovery of a second colony

all species and the heritage related

quality that previously accompanies

Several species have benefitted

• A survey of tree bugs at Telperion

than half of southern Africa’s bird

However, in the initial founding

being a developed economy. An

from such programmes to protect

outlook concentrating on the long-

endangered species, including:

of the Red Data listed plant

to diamond mining. The Route, over

term consequences of impacting the

• The preservation of an important

Frithiahumilis which was also

time, evolved to include biodiversity,

planet requires an inter-generational

herd of pure, un-hybridised black

recorded at Telperion, leading

heritage, education, research and

world-view similar to the time horizon

wildebeest. Such work in decades

to the first comprehensive

community programmes as well as

required for a major mine project. It is

past today also contributes

understanding of their habitat

low impact ecotourism, and was

true that people only use something

towards making the nature reserves

requirements and ecology.

officially re-launched in early 2010 as

that was either grown or mined.

potentially economically self-

• Benfontein reserve which has the

Hence, being realistically conscious

sustainable, something Phillip

highest known densities of black-

that we as consumers all carry

Barton and colleagues believe will

footed cat, a small vulnerable felid

THE FUTURE

responsibility for what we use as

underpin the future of the work and

restricted to southern Africa and

It is envisaged that the Diamond

much as we as miners must account

benefit generations long after the

listed on Appendix 1 of CITES; ranked

Route will spread its wings to include

for the impact we have.

last diamonds have been mined

as the most vulnerable of the Sub-

conservation areas around Company

from today’s operations.

Saharan cat species by the IUCN/

mines that choose to join across

Species Survival Commission Cat

national boundaries. Phillip Barton

Specialist Group.

concluded: “The natural world, other

“The Diamond Route illustrates that if mining can engage in also

• The population growth of the Cape

improving the land, any other

ostrich and the red hartebeest that

sector need not impose limits on its

has increased their chances of

ambition to contribute positively to

survival from genetic extinction.

the conservation, management and restoration of our natural capital base.”

WHAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DIAMOND ROUTES NATURAL RESIDENTS? De Beers and E Oppenheimer &

• A long-term project focusing on

the Diamond Route.

than that of man, does not take

the temperature-dependence

cognisance of national boundaries.

of various avian behavioural and

In that spirit we look forward to some

protect the threatened Namaqua

physiological traits at Tswalu

organic growth from where diamond

Dwarf Adder, a species that studies

Kalahari, with the goal of modelling

mining related conservation areas

show has thrived due to the

the impacts of future climate

exist and to find common cause with

protection of its habitat offered by

regimes on bird communities and

colleagues in other countries as we

the Diamond Route.

ecosystem functioning.

see the holistic reality as greater

• Programmes to research and to

• The successful reintroduction of

The Diamond Route was initially

Son, being founders of the Diamond

Black Rhino into the Tswalu Kalahari,

named the Diamond Birding Route,

Route, in partnership with like-minded

a programme that has resulted in

reflecting the importance of the

than the sum of its individual parts.” www.diamondroute.com

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

29

30

LANDSCAPE

A small step forward for Lake St Lucia’s sustainability U mfolozi Sugar Planters

HEALTH OF LAKE ST LUCIA

Limited (UCOSP), which

iSimangaliso’s CEO Andrew Zaloumis

high levels of biodiversity and

over the past 24 months. The uMfolozi

has been involved in the

said, “In a year of the lowest rainfall

viable populations of threatened

is Lake St Lucia’s largest catchment and

development of the new

in recorded history and still awaited

species which are of international

is the main fresh water source (about

management strategy for the St Lucia

late summer rains, Lake St Lucia is

and national importance, including

60%) to this estuarine system. Its

Estuary since 2008, has failed to

in dire need of fresh water from the

feeding and breeding areas for

importance increases during dry years.

follow through on undertakings made

Umfolozi River. We are pleased that

endangered and endemic species. It

to iSimangaliso to do the necessary

the environment’s right to water is

is the most important nursery ground

but disruptive means of altering the

studies and improve their flood

being recognised and is no longer

for juvenile marine fish and prawns

natural processes of an estuary. This

protection measures in line with the

taken for granted. The health of Lake

along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

is often done for the benefit of a few

management plan. These measures

St Lucia, Africa’s largest estuary, is

More than 50% of all water-birds in

individuals but at the expense of the

would, in iSimangaliso’s view, assist

material to the viability of local and

KwaZulu-Natal feed, roost and nest

ecological health and services that

the farmers and UCOSP to mitigate

national economic activities, and the

in this estuary. Importantly, it is the

these important systems provide, and

the natural consequences of farming

greater good that all far outweighs

breeding area for several birds which

in this way, have a ripple effect through

in a floodplain without damaging the

the benefits of a few farmers

are rare or have limited distributions

many other lives.

Lake St Lucia Estuary system.

who over the years have gained

in South Africa.

iSimangaliso’s mandate, in line with the World Heritage Convention Act and South Africa’s commitments

substantially from unsustainable and damaging practices.”

St Lucia is the world’s oldest

The estuarine system supports

In 2012, iSimangaliso publicised

functioning, and a normal salinity range

Artificial breaching is a convenient,

The health of the St Lucia ecosystem is directly linked to the

its overturning of the 60 year old

livelihoods of people in the area. The

management strategy that kept the

Park is situated in the uMhanyakhude

as a signatory with 180 other nations

protected estuary (1895) and Africa’s

uMfolozi River separate from the

District Municipality, one of the poorest

to the UNESCO World Heritage

largest estuarine system. It is also

Lake St Lucia system. Since then,

and most underdeveloped local

Convention, is to protect the

the centrepiece of South Africa’s

the uMfolozi River has been allowed

authorities in South Africa. Over 80% of

conservation values of iSimangaliso,

first UNESCO World Heritage Site,

to follow its natural path into the

households live below the poverty line

facilitate regional tourism

the iSimangaliso Wetland Park,

Lake St Lucia system. This resulted

and only about 16.5% of the population

development and the empowerment

and has been a Ramsar Wetland of

in increased water levels, initiated

is formally employed. Some 80 000

of disadvantage communities.

International Importance since 1986.

the process of restoring estuarine

people live in 15 000 households within 15km of the Lake St Lucia estuarine system and use the system extensively.

Harvests of raw materials, particularly estuarine sedges, is estimated to be worth around R7.5 million a year. The contribution of the estuarine floodplain areas to livestock grazing is estimated at R3.6 million per year.

Tourism related to the St Lucia estuary area employs an estimated 1 291 direct full-time equivalent jobs and 6 924 indirect jobs. There are about 510 000 visitors to the study area per annum, 42% of whom are foreign visitors. These visitors spend R46 million on an estimated 157 000 tourism activities from local operators.

These benefits extend to a large number of people and economic sectors are seriously jeopardised in the interests of a few farmers whose properties fall within the estuarine functional zone. The area in question is no more that 2.8% of the floodplain, and will have no broader economic impact on the Sugar Mill or other farmers in the floodplain.

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

CLASSIFIEDS

since 2000 LEGAL ADVISORY AND CONSULTING SERVICES INCLUDE: Electronic SHE Legal Registers Training and capacity building SHE legal compliance audits Environmental legal reviews and process advice for EIAs Advising on environmental authorisation requirements Assistance in drafting and reviewing Corporate Sustainability Reports Corporate Sustainability Advisory Services Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism Specialist Advice These specialist services encompass air quality, waste, water, coastal & marine, protected areas, public participation and biodiversity issues IMBEWU collaborates with the law firm Warburton Attorneys in order to provide specialist environmental litigation and other legal services. www.warburtons.co.za 53 Dudley Road, Cnr Bolton Avenue, Parkwood, 2193 Tel: +27 11 214 0660/1 • Fax: +27 11 880 6577 • www.imbewu.co.za www.imbewuregisters.co.za

Philippi, Western Cape 2.6 Hectare Property at the very attractive rental amount of R 10,000/month The property is perfect for a wholesale nursery/ grower; landscape contactor or a company trading in the ready mix/aggregate/compost business.

Description: The property is situated close to the Springfield- and Lansdowne Road intersection and enjoys beautiful views of the Cape Peninsula mountain range (the property is neighboring the JSE listed company “Bowler Metcalf” and close to McDonald’s restaurant).

There is a 100 Ampere 3-phase electrical connection and 40mm water connection available on site.

This property would ideally suit a progressive company looking to expand operations in the Southern Suburbs of the Western Cape.

Call owner on 083

2611 491

TO ADVERTISE IN THE MAGAZINE CONTACT SAMANTHA MORGAN Tel: 082-218-6273 samanthamorgan@telkomsa.net

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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