National Arbor Week Celebrations at Melton Primary School

MEDIA RELEASE BY THE WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, PIERRE UYS

Immediate release 5 September 2008



Minister Pierre Uys, minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning addressing pupils and teachers at Melton Primary School.

National Arbor Week Celebrations at Melton Primary School in Klein Vlei, Eerste River, on Friday 5 September 2008

Minister Pierre Uys, minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, joined learners in greening their urban area during a special tree planting celebration at the Melton Primary School in Eerste River this morning.

This school undertakes a number of community and environmental activities through an active Eco-Club and assistance of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi).

The learners and teachers maintain an indigenous- and a food garden that provides fresh vegetables for the school and community.

The tree planting ceremony was also in anticipation of International Arbor Day on Sunday 7 September.

“Trees were planted as part of this annual celebration to observe the future of our planet and to offset the emission of carbon and global warming. All are encouraged to care for trees as a renewable resource, about conservation and the environment.

“Trees give us oxygen, water vapour, food, shelter, wood and over 5 000 products. Without trees we will not survive. Especially in many disadvantaged communities, who often live in barren areas, we need to plant more trees,” Min. Uys said.
Minister Uys planted a scarce Wild Plum, which is one of this year’s three specimens of the Tree of the Year.


End

Enquiries: Cobus Grobler (media officer) 073 133 7299
Minister Uys 082 4555 144



Minister Pierre Uys and Ms Averyle Temmit, the school principal, plant a wild plum, which is tree of the year 2008, in the school's indigenous garden





Minister Uys and Ms Temmit examining the school's wonderful greening programme co-ordinated by teacher Hadley Linus, centre.
Acting Head of Department, Mr Rudi Ellis, extreme right





Minister Uys donated vegetable seed to the school for the food garden, (these include packets of seed for carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, spinach and green beans)

International Coastal Cleanup Week targets undesirable debris

MEDIA RELEASE BY THE WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, PIERRE UYS

Immediate release 13 September 2008

International Coastal Cleanup Week targets undesirable debris

Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Pierre Uys thanks all the community and school volunteers who will assist during the coming week to clear undesirable debris from the Western Cape coastline.

The Coastal Management team of the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in partnership with District Municipalities initiated beach cleanups for the week of 15 to 19 September 2008.

Various schools and learners will take part in the annual activities to cleanup beaches with the aim to identify the different types of pollution and compile data to devise strategies to combat pollution. Many of the volunteers come from disadvantaged and marginalised areas.They are involved in the activities to increase public participation in solving the problem of pollution, and to increase public awareness and appreciation of the coastal environment.

A perpetual problem with undesirable debris exists on our beaches along our coastline. Many of our people are unaware how their daily activities, from not properly disposing of their garbage or even throwing a cigarette butt on the ground, can impact on the plants and animals off our shores. This debris can harm or kill beach organisms. Marine pollution also makes using the beach less enjoyable for people. Solving our water pollution that washes to the sea requires everyone's involvement, Minister Uys said.

The programmevaries from area to area but provides for a talk on keeping the coast clean. This is followed by collecting refuse like plastic and broken glass on the beaches and fun activities (like sand castle building and beach races).

Local schools will assist in: Olifants River Mouth to Strandfontein, Elands Bay, Dwarskersbos, Jacobs Bay, Yzerfontein, Overberg Testing Range (Aghulhas), De Hoop, Struis Bay, Waenhuiskrans, Bigai River, Wilderness and Kleinkrantz, Briekelbos River, Swartvlei Beach to Sedgefield, Still Bay, Knysna Lagoon, Khayalethu River, Grobbelaars River, Springer Bay to Boggoms Bay, Vlees Bay to Kanon, Cape Vacca to Kanon and Vlees Bay to Boggoms Bay (Fransmanhoek Conservancy).

End

Enquiries: Cobus Grobler (media officer) 073 133 7299
Minister Uys 082 4555 144