Thank you, Madam Chair. If one listens to what the hon Minister and the chairperson of our portfolio committee have to say about the current status of waste in our country, then this is not a good story to tell.
Waste statistics in our country at the moment show us that in the region of 108 million tons of waste are being produced. As our population grows and the demand in various sectors increases, the subsequent challenge to manage and control this waste is going to become more and more difficult.
At our current production of waste, we are probably going to look at about 150 million tons of waste by the end of this year.
Of that amount of waste, as the Minister alluded to, only 10% is recycled. This will probably equate to 135 million tons of waste that are not recycled and need to be disposed of.
Waste management in South Africa is still far too heavily reliant on landfill sites as a waste management option. It is imperative that we promote a culture of waste reduction, reuse and recycling in South Africa.
The need to mitigate climate change provides just another reason why we need to reduce the production of waste in South Africa. In the objective of trying to improve waste management, we need to be conscious of the potential for the creation of new job opportunities, particularly in our informal sector, and the Minister alluded to that.
The DA has ensured that our policies relating to waste management and environmental affairs have been included in the Bill and are part of the process, and that these policies will advance society for all our people.
A healthy environment is essential for citizens to seize opportunities to create sustainable livelihoods. A degraded environment not only minimises these opportunities, but it also actively works against any attempts to alleviate the plight of the most vulnerable people in our society.
Ours is a vision of an open-opportunity society in which citizens have the resources, the power and opportunity to develop themselves and pursue their own objectives. [Interjections.] This is a good story that I'm telling, pay attention!
Citizens afflicted by poor health because of living in degraded environments are less likely to be able to seize opportunities and reach their full potential. A healthy environment comprising, most notably, the availability of ample clean air, water management and clean energy, is winning the fight against the burden of disease in our country.
The inclusion of section 34 in the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Bill will see the establishment of a waste management bureau to create an institutional mechanism for the implementation of the objectives of the Act, including the facilitation and implementation of waste management plans.
This would include the following: to implement the disbursement of incentives and disincentives and funds derived from waste charges; to identify and promote best practices in the minimisation, reuse, recycling or recovery of waste; to support municipalities in the development and implementation of integrated waste management plans; to support and advise on the development of industry waste management, integrated waste management plans and specialist support for the development of minimisation, reuse, recycling and recovery norms and standards and the building of municipal waste management capacity; and to further ensure capacity at local government level, where the bulk of our country's waste challenges are being faced.
Currently almost 50% of municipal landfill sites do not comply with environmental requirements. If one takes a look at Kokstad, where I come from, the current landfill site was condemned by the department in 2002, because seepage from waste contaminated the Mzintlava River, and 3 800 RDP houses were commissioned to be built adjacent to the landfill site. Imagine having a rubbish dump next to your house!
Today, as I speak to you in this House, this landfill site is still in operation 10 years after it was found to be unsuitable. This is unacceptable and is not a good story. The bureau will continue to monitor the implementation of industry waste and management plans, and it will also monitor and evaluate the impact of incentives and disincentives.
The formation and establishment of the Waste Management Bureau is a progressive step towards ensuring policy and legislative implementation and monitoring; creating capacity within municipalities and, furthermore, creating and identifying an environment for job creation. In theory and on paper, this is great. The challenge arises in the appointments and implementation of this bureau.
South Africa, under the rule of the ANC, has a shocking legacy of failed parastatals created for the right reason, but utilised for the wrong reason, with appointments being made for political qualifications and connections rather than on experience, knowledge and merit.
The term "purpose-fit" comes to mind, and we should be saying fit for purpose. Let us ensure that this bureau does not just become another cadre employment agency. Let us ensure that this bureau is structured to fulfil its intended mandate and is held accountable to address the mountain of waste in our beloved South Africa.
House Chair, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the chairperson, Adv Johnny de Lange, who has been an immense support and driving force behind the committee and the impactful piece of legislation that we have put together.
To the rest of the members of the committee, my thanks go out to you for putting the people of this country before our own ideals and our own political ideals. I think we have proven in this committee that, as opposition parties, if we come together and we strive to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans, we can achieve that. I thank you. [Applause.]