EASTERN PROVINCE REGION
2b Lawrence Street, Central Hill, Port Elizabeth, 6001, South Africa
PO Box 12444, Centrahil, 6006
Tel +27 (041) 5859606/5851157
Fax +27 (041) 5863228
Email manager@wessaep.co.za

Regional Manager : Marthanne Finnemore
Regional Chairperson : Prof. Chris Jeffery

Nelson Mandela Bay Branch
Branch Chairman: Lez Barker
Cell No. 084 799 7777

Grahamstown Branch
Branch Chairman: Irene De Moor
Cell No. 079 374 3107

NEWSLETTER

Eastcape Environmentalist - Vol3 2008 [289kb]

Eastcape Environmentalist - Vol2 2008 [633kb]

Eastcape Environmentalist - Vol1 2008 [395kb]

The following are some of the projects and initiatives in which WESSA: Eastern Province (WESSA: EP) is currently involved:

NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN OPEN SPACE SYSTEM (NM MOSS) STRATEGIC CONSERVATION PLANNING PROJECT
Bringing wilderness into the city

The NM MOSS project aims to systematically design the best possible multi-functional open space system which is representative of the Nelson Mandela Metropole’s biodiversity and takes account of future developmental needs. In light of the rich biodiversity of the area, and the number of options that still remain for the attainment of biodiversity conservation targets, the subsequent product is expected to result in the Nelson Mandela Metropole having one of the best Metropolitan Open Space Systems (MOSS) in the world.

This project is a joint venture between the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, WESSA, the Terrestrial Ecology Research Unit (UPE), and the Table Mountain Fund.

For more information, please contact the Project Co-ordinator:
Morgan Griffiths
WESSA: EP, tel(041) 585 9606 or email morgan@wessaep.co.za

COEGA PORT AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE PROJECT
The implementation South Africa's vision for rebuilding and restructuring our country's economy is proving to be one of the greatest environmental challenges South Africa has ever faced. WESSA is seeking to ensure that the rich natural heritage our country so generously shares with us will see it through to the next decade.

In light of the desperate need for increased employment and improved living standards in the Eastern Cape, WESSA: EP is not opposed to the Coega Project. However, ever since the Coega concept was first proposed, WESSA: EP has been actively involved in trying to ensure that the project will be developed in an environmentally sustainable manner. Our involvement in the project has included monitoring the Coega Development Corporation's (CDC) compliance with all applicable environmental legislation and that adequate planning has been undertaken to minimise environmental impacts.

This has included lobbying around such aspects of the project as:

• increased transparency in the public participation and planning processes;
• the construction of a haul road for the transportation of rock to the port area before any environmental authorisation for the project was granted; and
• the implementation of the Algoa Bay Management Plan.

Once the Coega Project has started, WESSA: EP will also monitor the implementation of all the mitigatory measures for the project, and the IDZ's compliance with air emission standards. In addition, WESSA: EP is represented on the non-profit, environmental South African Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre (SAMREC) Trust. The Trust is presently raising funds for the construction and operation of a world-class rehabilitation and education centre for marine birds in Port Elizabeth, one of the recommendations of the Algoa Bay Management Plan.

WESSA must, and will, ensure that it is planned and implemented in a transparent, sustainable manner, without hidden costs, which will result in the best use of the Eastern Cape's natural resources and the South African taxpayers hard earned money, to the benefit of all along or near our Sunshine Coast.

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THE GREATER ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK & THE BAVIAANSKLOOF
WILDERNESS AREA

Addo
The proposed expansion of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park (GAENP) and the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area (BWA) promise to meet conservation requirements, while creating large potential for socio-economic upliftment in the economically impoverished Eastern Cape. Accordingly, WESSA: EP supports these expansions and is involved at various levels.

The Addo Planning Forum includes various role-players, and interested and affected parties. It serves to provide an update on the GAENP expansion process, and as a means to voice concerns. WESSA: EP co-ordinates an environmental sub-committee of the Addo Planning Forum, and represents the sub-committee on the main Forum.

The Friends of Addo group is a voluntary affiliate of WESSA: EP who produce a newsletter on the expansion of the GAENP, and other conservation and ecotourism issues of concern in the Addo area.

WESSA: EP is also involved in the monitoring of:

• The present expansion of the Park
• Awarding of concession areas for exclusive use in the Park
• Construction and operation of tourism facilities in the Park
• Development on the periphery of the present Park and within theplanning domain of the proposed GAENP

Baviaanskloof
The Cape Action Plan for the Environment (C.A.P.E.) Project determined that the existing reserve system for the Cape Floral Kingdom is not adequate for achieving realistic conservation targets. The expansion of the Baviaanskloof area into a mega-reserve will effectively conserve biodiversity patterns and processes in the eastern mountains of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

The Baviaanskloof River is a major supplier of the water for the Kouga Dam, which supplies almost a third of the requirements for the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The area is therefore important as a sustainable source of good quality water and requires conservation management.

WESSA: EPs involvement includes the monitoring of:

• The present expansion of the Wilderness Area
• Development on the periphery of the present wilderness area and within the planning domain of the proposed greater Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area

The expansion of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park and the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area should be seen as complimentary, and have the potential to establish the Eastern Cape as a premier tourist destination in Africa. In view of the need for sustainable development, WESSA: EP will monitor developments within these areas, ensuring the requirements of Environmental Impact Assessment legislation are adhered to.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
WESSA supports disadvantaged communities by assisting them with environmental projects that can alleviate poverty, generate income and improve the state of their environment.

WESSA: EP is assisting six groups from different areas in the metropole with various diverse projects, including:

• permaculture vegetable and flower gardens
• arts and crafts programmes which recycle and re-use waste materials

The recycling projects are progressing
well and two recycling centres have been
opened in Motherwell and New Brighton by community members.

The Silvertown Community in Port Elizabeth believes that economic advancement and the production of food are the key successes behind permaculture gardens.

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ENVIRONMENTAL CLUBS
WESSA: EP assists schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole with environmental projects that promote 'caring for the Earth'.

WESSA:EP assists the teachers, learners and the community members with:

• awareness campaigns
• conducting school and teacher workshops

Projects undertaken by schools include:

• permaculture food gardens
• water quality testing and auditing
• recycling of waste materials into usable and saleable goods
• adoption of a wetland area

These projects allow learners practical experiences and encourage participation.

ENERGY RELATED PROJECTS
As WESSA is concerned with promoting public participation in caring for the Earth, we realise the importance of education and awareness campaigns in schools.

In our daily lives we depend on energy and in South Africa we use mostly electricity generated from coal. Coal is a non-renewable source of energy and is a polluter of air.

Eskom is the sponsor of an energy-related competition that is co-ordinated by WESSA.

Some of the projects undertaken include:

• Reducing Energy Consumption
• Energy alternatives
• Energy conservation
• Energy and Safety.

These projects have proved a success in this region as learners are enthusiastic in sharing ideas, experiences and in doing research for the projects.

NETWORKING
WESSA: EP networks with government sectors and other environmental groups, such as:

• The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
• The Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism
• The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality
• Community Environmental Networking

WESSA has provided support to events such as Arbour Day, National Marine Week and Heritage Day by giving educational talks to schools and communities, running workshops and creating a greater awareness about environmental issues.

Networking with other organisations allows WESSA the opportunity to share experiences and to influence more community groups regarding environmental issues.

FIELD TRIPS
WESSA: EPs outdoor education programme has proven to be extremely popular with school pupils and aims to expose learners to more information about the environment, for the environment, in the environment.

Learners are taken on fortnightly walks through either:

• The Flamingo Trail in the Zwartkops Nature Reserve
• The Aloes Nature Reserve at Bluewater Bay
  

WESSA: EP also supports the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University outdoor education program by taking learners on the Grysbok Trail, which is situated in the university grounds. The Guineafowl and Settler's Park Trails are also occasionally used for outdoor education lessons.

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