Deputy Speaker, the African National Congress supports initiatives geared at empowering and educating communities on environmental matters so as to enable it to act on environmental issues and be able to promote an environmental ethic. As such, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Buyelwa Sonjica, on Thursday 29 October 2009, launched a cleaning and greening pilot project in Mthata, King Sabata Dalindyebo. The project forms part of the Eco Town pilot project, Buyisela, and will, among other things, focus on cleaning, greening, waste management and river rehabilitation, while, on the other hand, create employment opportunities and also supporting municipalities' local economic development programmes.
It is envisioned that a pilot project will take place in each province and this will serve as the framework blueprint for other townships and villages to follow. The African National Congress, therefore, believes that environmental management must be transformed to promote the active participation of civil society as a whole. Ke a leboga. [Thank you.] [Applause.]