The Working for Water Programme

The Working for Water Programme

Private Bag X4390, Cape Town 8000, South Africa

T:(021) 405-2200 F:(021) 425-7880

E-mail:

http://www-dwaf.pwv.gov.za/Projects/wfw/

Stakeholder Report: February 2001

The Working for Water programme clears invading alien plants, because of the benefits for water security, conservation of biological diversity, the productive use of land, the reduction in intensity of fires and floods, and its employment benefits. Every two months, the programme sends a news update to stakeholders. We would appreciate your feedback on this.

World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day, on the 2nd February this year was of particular significance, as it marks 30 years of work and progress towards the conservation and wise use of wetlands by the Ramsar Convention. The Convention has grown considerably since its inception, to a point where 123 countries are contracting parties and 1050 wetland sites, totalling 78 million hectares, have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance.

In a partnership with Department of Environmental Affairs and Toursim and the Working for Water Programme, R20 million has been allocated towards fourteen priority wetland rehabilitation projects. Three of the projects will take place in internationally recognised Ramsar sites, while another two are in proposed Ramsar sites.

A broad approach has been taken to rehabilitation which includes addressing the causes of the degradation and ensuring commitment from landowners to undertake follow-up actions. Awareness, research, monitoring and evaluation components are also included within the scope of the funding, in order to ensure that future rehabilitation projects benefit from lessons learned during the current projects.

The main activities within the projects include: the removal of alien vegetation and the construction of structures to stop erosion and trap sediment and the blockage of drainage channels in order to reflood previously drained areas. Assistance is being provided by provincial conservation departments, non-government organisations and the private sector. Activities such as construction of gabions and clearing of aliens have been designed to be labour intensive, in order to impact on poverty.

Sites where rehabilitation projects are taking place this year : Ntsikeni Nature Reserve, Kromme River, Ugie/Gatberg (Eastern Cape); Rietvlei Nature Reserve (Gauteng); Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, Lenjane vlei (KwaZulu-Natal); Verloren Valei Nature Reserve, Upper Blyde catchment, Upper Usutu catchment (Mpumalanga); Orange River mouth (Northern Cape); Edith Stephens Wetland Park (Western Cape) and Sand River catchment, northern Drakensberg / Wolkberg, Waterberg / Mokolo (Northern Province).

Research Unit

A report entitled “Personal Financial Management issues in WfW projects” has also been completed. Among the many objective of the research was to establish how households use wages from WfW, how employment exacerbates financial problems (indebtedness etc), investigate loan shark activities, and investigate micro-credit access for communities. Case studies were carried out in KwazuluNatal and the Eastern Cape.

Personal financial management issues in WfW projects and communities.

The research found that 70% of income gained from the WfW projects is used to provide for basic needs such as food. The programme has also provided employees with debt relief. 70% of women labourers interviewed indicated that they were more indebted prior to WfW projects and have had relief since. Male contractors generally stated that their indebtedness is caused by expenditure on household furniture. The case studies indicated that most labourers are not able to save money due to them being breadwinners in fairly large households.

Working for Water Blunders

Since 1995 a total of 5 billion invading alien trees have been cut down by WfW teams in over 300 projects. Mistakes in a programme this size is inevitable. One such mishap is the recent felling of 400 indigenous trees in the Rietfontein Nature Reserve near Sandton. Most of those cut down were immature common hook-thorn (Acacia caffra) trees. These are a hardy, fast-growing trees occurring in woodlands and wooded grasslands. Unfortunately some mature specimens were also cut down.

It has been claimed that there is a superficial resemblance in the leaves and hooked thorns of the common hook-thorn and the invasive Mauritius thorn (Caedalipinia decapetala). Mr Mondlane has said that notwithstanding the claim, this is clearly a case of inadequate training, poor supervision of contractors, and bad management. Disciplinary steps will be taken.

The Working for Water programme regrets its error

CSIR Clears WfW on Erosion Allegations

There has been a fair amount of negative publicity around the programme lately, in the context of clearing activities causing erosion damage in riverine areas, particularly on the Jukskei River in Gauteng. Reacting to the public’s concern, the programme has commissioned two key studies to ascertain the validity in these criticisms. Assessments of both Qwa Qwa and the Jukskei were undertaken by the CSIR, and in both instances, it was reported that Working for Water was not responsible for exacerbating erosion events in any way.

WfW Policy Governing Work on Private Land

The Working for Water Programme has developed an interim policy for its clearing operations. Public land and other government priorities will receive 100% funding for initial clearing and two follow-ups.

Staffing

Working for Water’s transformation has been given a boost with the appointment of our new staff.

National: Ashok Maharaj joined the programme as Finance Manager and Nonhlanhla Mkhize as Research Officer

Thabo Ntisana (NW/Gauteng), Themba Mgwaca and Tyl Willems (WC), Desiree Sehlapelo (NP), Adolph van Staden (NC) and Tony Poulter (MP) have all been appointed as Regional Programme Leaders with full signing powers with DWAF.

Training Co-ordinator, Mr Faiez Jacobs has left the programme. We wish him well in his new endeavours.

Death of Chainsaw Trainer

It is with great sadness that the Working for Water programme learnt of the death of Mr Jabulani Mlangeni in January. Mr Mlangeni made his mark on hundreds of people in the programme in his role as Chainsaw Trainer. He will be remembered in the programme for his superb talent, dedication, and fantastic teaching and firm hand. He entertained teams of people throughout South Africa in his intensive training sessions, leaving behind more responsible and safe working conditions. Condolences are extended to his family and friends.

Two Killed in Accident

Working for Water lost two workers, Constance Mogoro and Mpho Malele in Mpumalanga. The two were crossing a river when they slipped and fell off the drift. The loss of workers in a programme established to bring hope to thousands of South Africans is a huge blow. Our condolences to Ms Mogoro and Ms Malele’s family and friends.

Health and Safety

On a positive note Working for Water’s new health and safety training and management systems have resulted in a 75% drop in injuries on duty. The investigation of any injuries resulting in days lost brought a new rigour and discipline to the programme. Our thanks to our secondee from Mondi, Michael Shuttleworth, for his role in designing and rolling out this programme.

Action Against Corruption

Management adopts a zero tolerance approach to corruption. This is demonstrated when Mr Andries Molema was fired for misconduct. Our Mpumalanga management uncovered that he had been channelling contractors money through his own banking account, incorrectly mapped areas, thereby defrauding the programme.

AlienBuster Campaign

Interest in the AlienBuster hotline continues to be the campaign’s strongpoint. The campaign is to receive a boost in the form of both a campaign manager and a hotline/database manager. Year two of the campaign will focus on schools and landowners. Meetings with key educational stakeholders are set to take place soon, to ensure that the resources that are developed for schools are appropriate (in the context of OBE).

Ukuvuka Operation Firestop Anniversary

Minister Kasrils, Mayor Marais, MEC Adams, Herandien, Bester and Uys were amongst the distinguished guests at an anniversary function held at Kirstenbosch on Monday 5th February. The event was seen as testament to the number of organisations and individuals who have come together in partnership. The Minister, MEC for Housing and Corporate Services, the Mayor and Ukuvuka’s campaign manager all gave brief presentations on the collaboration and progress of the campaign.

In conjunction with Gauteng (DACEL) Dept of Agriculture, Conservation, Environmental and Land Affairs,Working for Water launches its second public/private partnership.

The Kwena project, along the Crocodile River in Gauteng will become a showcase for responsible land management as landowners commit millions to alien eradication under the leadership of Keith Kirsten.