Hon Chairperson, hon Ministers and hon members, the SA Weather Service plays a significant day-to-day role in the lives of all South Africans. It is heartening to know that this SA Weather Service Amendment Bill provides for severe weather warnings, after consultation with the Minister, to avoid bogus reports that could create chaos.
Today the world is faced with the disaster in the Philippines that has destroyed many towns and villages. Thousands of people have lost their lives and property. In South Africa, many communities have been affected physically, emotionally and psychologically as they are living in areas that are not only waterlogged, but built in and around disaster belts. They are severely affected particularly around the increasingly disastrous winter rainfalls.
We see many sad pictures, year in and year out, of the destruction brought by rain disasters, the weather's adverse effect on farming and agricultural produce, runaway fires, flooded dams and rivers, deforestation, erosion, etc. It will be short-sighted of any administration to look solely at the weather without looking at spatial development plans and the need to rehabilitate areas, some in extremely remote parts of our country. We need a bigger picture approach.
The insertion of "advisory alert" in clause 1 provides hope for communities whose lives and livelihood are affected by disruptive weather systems and patterns. They will be able to take what little valuables they have with them, should they be advised timeously of pending disaster and urged to leave the area in time.
The best way to protect people against major accident occurrences is by maintaining the very high levels of safety as imbedded in the government's disaster management plans. We must get it right. Government has a responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of its citizens. A well co- ordinated and co-operative approach with all government departments is needed in the event of environmental and weather disasters.
The Bill further extends the objectives and functions of the Weather Service in providing the necessary legal mandate for it to provide ambient air quality services. In particular, it is the custodian of the SA Air Quality Information System.
Our air quality is endangered by the activities of persons and entities in the country that ignorantly, and sometimes arrogantly, release poisonous gaseous substances into the atmosphere. The list is long, including millions of cars that emit carbon monoxide and other particles into the atmosphere. Some people engage in bush burning; some individuals are in the habit of burning refuse. There is also the burning of agricultural waste; factory emissions; and paraffin-burning in our communities. Ultimately, these various acts have a huge effect on our weather patterns and an adverse effect on the ecosystem.
While we cannot control acts of God, we can certainly be better prepared. Minister, as I said before, this Bill may not cause the same excitement as Minister Gordhan's Budget Speech, but we cannot be without a Weather Service.
In light of some of the recent breakdowns is relationships between CEOs, boards and Ministers, as we have recently witnessed in other parastatals, this Bill strengthens the management of the SA Weather Service so as to provide for the appointment and removal processes of the chief executive officer. This Bill is a step in the right direction in terms of good governance, weather prediction, disaster management and credible information. Cope supports the Bill. I thank you. [Applause.]