Parliament, Sunday, 23 April 2023 – The Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment is delighted with the turnout of residents and support the Climate Change Bill received in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Alfred Nzo and Sarah Baartman districts where the committee conducted public hearings on the Bill.
Over the past three days the committee heard views from individuals and interested organisations in Matatiele in the Alfred Nzo District, in Mdantsane in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, and in ADdo in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality. Participants at all the venues made oral submissions on the Bill, to ensure that the final product of the Bill reflects their views.
During the public hearings the majority of participants supported the Bill. There was a slight number of participants who expressed a concern that the Bill does not address the roles and responsibilities ordinary people have regarding climate change. They complained about their areas for being neglected when it comes to waste collection and management. They highlighted an intolerable smell from sewerage plants and waste dumbs that can be felt also by motorists driving on national and regional roads.
Residents in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and Sarah Baartman districts and surrounding areas highlighted that energy is at the heart of the climate change and key to climate change solution. They want a clause in the Bill that will compel the government to invest in alternative sources of energy that are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable.
Participants told the committee that climate change is a threat to food security and it is severely felt by the poorest of the poor people. They suggested that the Bill must call for educational programmes that will ensure that people learn about the environment and nature.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Ntibi Modise, was delighted with the turnout and the support from residents on the Bill during the committee’s public engagement in the province this weekend. Next month the committee will move the public hearings to the Free State province.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT, MR NTIBI MODISE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
NameMlindi Mpindi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 716 7329
E-mail: mmpindi@parliament.gov.za
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