KISS, FILLER and RESET.
This trio of acronyms stands for three of the “Big 6" priorities outlined by forestry, fisheries and environment minister Dion George in a briefing on 100 days in office.
Money, the name of the sixth priority, was a theme that ran through each of the strategies, in a department whose medium-term budget has been reduced by nearly R2bn.
George said on Tuesday they had embarked on a fruitful campaign to raise funds from diverse sources, including international donors, to attract the income needed for environmental stewardship integrated with socioeconomic development.
Flanked by deputy minister Narend Singh, and joined later by deputy minister Bernice Swarts, George spoke with the zealousness of a new minister on the block whose ambitions have not yet been ground down by government bureaucracy.
However, if his team makes strides in its RESET initiative — his plan to “turbocharge” environmental governance — he could see progress. But RESET is number five of his Big 6, so let’s start at the beginning.
1) Climate Change
Implementing the Climate Change Act of July 24 2024 is a priority for South Africa, one of only five African countries with legislation like this.
George said the department will oversee the act’s provisions and is developing a detailed timeline for its rollout and implementation across all levels of government; right down to schools, where climate education will be included in curricula.
In the international arena, George has attended three key climate meetings from Wuhan, China (remember the first outbreak of Covid-19?) to the UN General Assembly in New York, where he presented South Africa’s environmental goals.
2) KISS: the Kruger-Kirstenbosch-iSimangaliso Icon Status Strategy
South Africa plans to host key G20 meetings at these world-class sites said George, explaining how each will be upgraded to “destinations that set new standards for conservation, education and sustainable tourism”.
“The KISS initiative will aim to create new jobs in the green economy and provide opportunities in fields such as environmental science, sustainable tourism and wildlife management,” said George, who paid tribute in his briefing to the department’s scientists, researchers, managers and support staff as being among “the most skilled and committed individuals in their fields”.
3) FILLER: the Fair Industry for Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and Rhinos
“I have taken a clear and decisive stance against captive lion breeding,” said George, in line with the commitment to have a fair and sustainable future for these species.
He said there could be further public participation — after a challenge by hunters to the process — but “in the interim I can make proclamations and I intend to make them”.
“It has been said it is unAfrican to hold a lion in captivity and I’m mindful of the environment in which we are operating,” George added.
4) Fishing for Freedom
Simplifying the application for licences for small-scale fishers, tens of thousands of whom depend on fishing, is one of the key steps in this initiative. George has embarked on a 12-harbour tour, so far visiting four and meeting local fishers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
On the future of African penguins, George said he was meeting lawyers for conservationists and small-scale fishers on Tuesday afternoon about litigation heading to court. He remained confident about reaching “a settlement that will ensure the future of our African penguin population in the wild”.
5) RESET: Regulatory Efficiency Strategy for Environmental Turbocharge
A review of the regulatory framework during the first 100 days has identified bottlenecks and areas needing improvement, said George. “I am pleased to share that we have made substantial progress in starting to simplify procedures and reducing unnecessary red tape.”
Replying to a question, he made it clear he did not intend to weaken the environmental impact assessment process “nor remove any safeguards at all”.
He said the (Richards Bay) “Karpowership deal is dead,” though he was looking at an appeal on another in Saldanha Bay. He has considered 65 appeals and prioritised the finalisation of appeals, he added.
6) MONEY: symbolised by the whale
The campaign to raise funds from international donors, private sector partners and philanthropic organisations has resulted in “several promising discussions ” for conservation and related projects, he said.
A comprehensive departmental spending review is intended to eliminate wasteful spending, streamline operations and relocate resources to priority programmes, he said.
But how will the minister and his team achieve the Big 6?
George said collaboration across every branch and entity was essential and, on September 10, he held a meeting with his deputy ministers, director-general, deputy directors-general and CEOs of their entities. Each division is expected to integrate the Big 6 priorities into their operational plans.
Deputy minister Swarts outlined her work in the first 100 days around the National Veld and Forest Fires Act, 1998 and led the 2024 Forestry Summit at the Freedom Park in Pretoria. Support for the Presidential Ten Million Tree Programme is another focus for Swarts, who will soon announce a drive to plant one-million trees in one day.
She attended a National Consultative Workshop on Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) in Pretoria, a UN “initiative to protect people from hazardous weather, among other commitments”.
I have taken a clear and decisive stance against captive lion breeding.
— Minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment Dion George
Deputy minister Singh is playing an active role in the Municipal Just Energy Transition and attended a conference on this in Midrand in August.
He is also at the forefront of the development of aquaculture, which contributes about 46% to global fish production and is expected to increase. “The biggest regional expansion, up to 48%, is expected in Africa,” said Singh.
Besides the department co-hosting an aquaculture conference in Stellenbosch in September, it also co-hosted the International Coastal Clean-up Day in Durban with eThekwini metro. “South Africa... [makes] a significant contribution to the global beach litter database annually,” said Singh. “Every bottle, every straw, every piece of litter you pick up can lead to a cleaner, healthier ocean.”
Singh also officiated the SANParks reveal of Vision2040 in Sandton and has been involved in rhino conservation, among other programmes. This month he will be attending COP16, the UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia.
South Africa is providing leadership globally in the environment and climate, for example:
- George has been appointed to “steer informal consultations on mitigation before and during COP29” climate meeting with his Norwegian counterpart, Tore Onshuus Sandvik.
- George chairs the G20 Climate and Sustainability working group.
- George played a key role an African ministerial conference on the environment in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Singh attended the 16th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant in July in Cape Town, led by the South African Weather Service Global Atmosphere Watch.
If George’s “Big 6" gains momentum, they could help overcome the bureaucratic and budgetary constraints hobbling departmental programmes, but more detail and hundreds more days are needed to see whether these initiatives take off.
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