Hon Chairperson, I rise on behalf of the ANC to declare support for Vote 27. Our declaration as the ANC is guided by our environmental policy resolution and it is built into the 2014 manifesto.
The ANC understands the importance of a healthy and sustainable use of our environmental resources. We note the importance of our environment that is conducive towards jobs creation and sustainable livelihoods.
As we promote the inclusive use of environment, we bear collective responsibility to ensure that its use and protection will help grow our economy.
The mandate of the Department of Environmental Affairs, now reconfigured together with forestry and fisheries, is to lead the South African environmental sector to achieve sustainable development towards a better quality of life for all.
Climate change is a global problem and poor states suffer the most consequences. We have felt the effects of drought on our farmers, wild fires in forests, contamination of our rivers and seas, flash floods across most of our provinces and air pollution.
It is important to know that our department has come up with measures to combat these challenges, and we need everyone to support them.
Government has allocated money to programmes that will raise awareness and caring for our environment. In the industrial sectors, increased compliance and environmental laws must be promoted and enforced.
To the EFF,...
IsiZulu:
Nashawa wuvalo, cha!
English:
We would like to state our acknowledgement of your concern around environmental degradation, exclusion of the poor society from the use and benefits of our environmental resources, the unhealthy state of our townships and pollution caused by big industries to our environment. These we believe, are genuine concerns and we assure you that this department understands its mandate very well.
In conclusion, we know that the budget allocation of this department is not enough and we are confident that the diligent use of these allocations will yield better results for the people in future.
Allocation to the department's programme on oceans and coasts will ensure that our economy benefits from the vast resources found therein.
Increased healthy air and surface environment will promote better health and increase life expectancy.
We welcome R2 085 billion allocated to the environmental programmes, and we also welcome the job opportunities to be created under these programmes.
IsiZulu:
Awu siyabangena, siyabangena kahle hle.
English:
You thought you were going to frustrate us, DA, with your deviations. Shame! We are here to stay.
IsiZulu:
Sizolala la sonke! Yi-36 i-ANC, nina ke? Niya shoda nje kuphela. Thina sila, asiyi ndawo, wo, wo!
Time is up.
Thank you.
Division demanded.
The Council divided.