Agriculture is very important us,and significant employer.Without enough viable commercial farms,South Africa,s food security is endangered.
Eastern township are at Ekurhuleni east of Johannesburg and badly affected by Acid mine drainage of which was produced by the Mines which left the slarry or dump side which are full of heavy metals and these heavy metals are drained into our spruit and rivers of which we depend on for agriculture that is farming,we depend on for drinking as well as fishing for living, but all this is in danger.
Loss of Farmers will hit jobs and food security.The Environmental meeting we had with other organisation concerning the polluted water which affect farming in rural areas.Ernest a farmer in Nigel near Duduza township, said that in 1980 there were about 128 000 commercial farmers, in 1997 there were about 58 000 and 40 000 today,predictions were that this would drop to 15 000 in the next 15 years. he said South Africa used to export more food than it imported.Organised agriculture indicated that the decline is Twofold. one is cost of farming are rising fast than output, reason the climate change and water is polluted it does not serve its purpose,but it kills the crops.Coming to Ekurhuleni which is highly affected by acid mine drainage as well sewage water affect the small scale and commercial farmers and its fast affecting jobs of the rural areas people, this creates a lot of uncertainty,and uncertainty does not attract investment. Government needs to create an environment in which agriculture can flourish.When talking to local Ekurhuleni Government officials they indicated that the issue of water is dealt with at a high level of the government, they will soon give a report back on that, the second concern is the small scale farmers that are making a living out farming and now is being affected by this Environmental issues, which little or nothing is done about it.
A meeting will called to inform communities about the problem we are facing concerning Farming in Ekurhuleni.Agriculture is basis of the Rural areas economy, its counts for a lions share for them and if nothing is done about it, soon we will be affected by this problem we think its far away from us. people depend on agriculture for food and income, we need to fight to together achieve the best for rural communities and urban communities, because we as well depend on farming.
Kwa thema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Ekurhuleni environmental org
Friday 11 November 2011
Friday 28 October 2011
Impala platinum in Springs involve in Reclcling
Impala platinum is situated in Springs and Springs is situated in the east of Johannesburg at Ekurhuleni Metro.Springs its one of places which mining took place over 10 decades and is badly affected by the mine shafts which were left by the mines,without rehabilitating the land. As of today nothing has been done to fix the wrongs by these capitalist.
However Impala Platinum initiated a recycling project, involving community, schools and small business as well.The Impala platinum Environmental Manager, indicated that it is important to start the project with children to get the country to recycle, by teaching young children to recycle they take this message home to the adults and we reach bigger group of people.A health concern was raised by community on children pick up dirty tins on the streets of the township which some contain dangerous chemicals,after picking up the tins they will go and eat without washing their hands.Before the project kick off health and safety education must done as well as training on basic hygiene.
The primary method for waste disposal in South Africa by landfiill.Recycling occurs through private companies,charities,schools,environmental groups, non governmental organisation, community based organisation and informally. informal recycling is typically in the form of waste picking directly from the household bins on collection day or from the landfill site. Waste picking is a form of livelihood strategy in order get out income to support individuals and families living in poverty.
The Impala platinum selected schools from different township to participate in recycling and the school which perform better in recycling or recycles the most waste will crowned the winners and will be given the prize sponsored by impala platinum.Communities will assisted to do their own recycling in order to earn something.Recycling helps to keep place clean and reduces the dumping which at the end brings rats and insects which carry lot diseases.
The project has already started and will be reviewed on monthly bases, we hope it what is initiated Impala Platinum other companies will follow suit and help the communities.Companies get involve in CSR(company social responsibility)and lift the life of poor people.
The competition will run till end of May next year but this initiative will be sustainable into the future.
Kwa Thema Monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
However Impala Platinum initiated a recycling project, involving community, schools and small business as well.The Impala platinum Environmental Manager, indicated that it is important to start the project with children to get the country to recycle, by teaching young children to recycle they take this message home to the adults and we reach bigger group of people.A health concern was raised by community on children pick up dirty tins on the streets of the township which some contain dangerous chemicals,after picking up the tins they will go and eat without washing their hands.Before the project kick off health and safety education must done as well as training on basic hygiene.
The primary method for waste disposal in South Africa by landfiill.Recycling occurs through private companies,charities,schools,environmental groups, non governmental organisation, community based organisation and informally. informal recycling is typically in the form of waste picking directly from the household bins on collection day or from the landfill site. Waste picking is a form of livelihood strategy in order get out income to support individuals and families living in poverty.
The Impala platinum selected schools from different township to participate in recycling and the school which perform better in recycling or recycles the most waste will crowned the winners and will be given the prize sponsored by impala platinum.Communities will assisted to do their own recycling in order to earn something.Recycling helps to keep place clean and reduces the dumping which at the end brings rats and insects which carry lot diseases.
The project has already started and will be reviewed on monthly bases, we hope it what is initiated Impala Platinum other companies will follow suit and help the communities.Companies get involve in CSR(company social responsibility)and lift the life of poor people.
The competition will run till end of May next year but this initiative will be sustainable into the future.
Kwa Thema Monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Electricity crisis in Kwathema
Kwa thema is a township in Springs in the eastrand called Ekurhuleni, which a population of about 45 000 people,high number of uneployment and crime is high.
Recently from July concerns have been raised corcerning the Electricity in Kwa thema,a letter has been written to Mayor and Mec in August the 6th and 22nd the was no response from the local Government,s office, after escalating the lack of response to electricity crisis corncerns.An letter addressed to Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gugubele was handed to his office 6th of September 2011 detalaing electricity problems in the township. given two weeks to respond,no response has yet been forth coming from the mayor,prompting community escalate the matter to Mec for local government Humphrey Mmmemzi in September, Community appears to have hit another wall. two marches were done and damages and injuries were expereinced but no response from the local government,Latetly on 17th-10-2011 again the was a march demanding a response from the local government and the Mayor, the government office was damage and cars, streets were bloked with rocks and burning tyres as well.
We hope the local Government will respond soon before more damages are done,in my previous aticle i explain the problem of the electricity, how it negatively affect the community.
Kwa thema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Recently from July concerns have been raised corcerning the Electricity in Kwa thema,a letter has been written to Mayor and Mec in August the 6th and 22nd the was no response from the local Government,s office, after escalating the lack of response to electricity crisis corncerns.An letter addressed to Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gugubele was handed to his office 6th of September 2011 detalaing electricity problems in the township. given two weeks to respond,no response has yet been forth coming from the mayor,prompting community escalate the matter to Mec for local government Humphrey Mmmemzi in September, Community appears to have hit another wall. two marches were done and damages and injuries were expereinced but no response from the local government,Latetly on 17th-10-2011 again the was a march demanding a response from the local government and the Mayor, the government office was damage and cars, streets were bloked with rocks and burning tyres as well.
We hope the local Government will respond soon before more damages are done,in my previous aticle i explain the problem of the electricity, how it negatively affect the community.
Kwa thema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Grootvlei mine in Springs(aurora)finally liquidated
Springs is situated in the east of Johannesburg,Ekurhuleni.Grootvlei mine is at Paynvile in Springs.Paynville is an area which blacks were moved out to Kwa thema during time of apartheid and it was used for mining.
Grootvlei mine was bought by Aurora under directors Khulubuse Zuma,Zodwa Mandela, Michael Hulley and Thulani Ngubani.The decision to liquidate Aurora Empowerment system,the company responsible for unpaid salaries of workers at Grootvlei mine from march last year to date, was finally ratified last Wednesday, after yet another liquidation application against the cash -strpped company.
Workers suffered and lost property that houses because they could not pay bonds,others lost their cars,workers stayed without food, until churches and other organisation intervened.Trade unoin Solidarity lodged a liquidation application againts Aurora in May this year in an attempt to recover R3,1 million in unpaid salaries for workers at Grootvlei mine.This after the company ran into financial problems in March last year,problems that resultsd in thousands of workers going unpaid for months thereafer.Solidarity applcation was not the one that prompted the courts decision. however.as Copper eagle,a former contractor for Aurora had previously lodged an application of its ,totaling R9m
The decision represent a victory for solidarity regardless,asit has tirelessly fought to bring the politically connected company to book,According to the union,the liquidation order paves the way for legal action against directors Khulubuse Zuma,Zodwa Mandela,Michael Hulley and Thulani Ngubani, who may now held accountable for R1,7billion in damages from looting of mining assets at both mines while under their management.
The final liquidation of this affiliate, under which tyhe contracts of all Aurora employees fell and of which Mandela is director,is expected to be ratified on November.We hope and think all the employees will be informed and benefit after a long suffering because of capitalist,who really dont care about workers and commuunities,wish the best of luck.
Kwa thma monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Grootvlei mine was bought by Aurora under directors Khulubuse Zuma,Zodwa Mandela, Michael Hulley and Thulani Ngubani.The decision to liquidate Aurora Empowerment system,the company responsible for unpaid salaries of workers at Grootvlei mine from march last year to date, was finally ratified last Wednesday, after yet another liquidation application against the cash -strpped company.
Workers suffered and lost property that houses because they could not pay bonds,others lost their cars,workers stayed without food, until churches and other organisation intervened.Trade unoin Solidarity lodged a liquidation application againts Aurora in May this year in an attempt to recover R3,1 million in unpaid salaries for workers at Grootvlei mine.This after the company ran into financial problems in March last year,problems that resultsd in thousands of workers going unpaid for months thereafer.Solidarity applcation was not the one that prompted the courts decision. however.as Copper eagle,a former contractor for Aurora had previously lodged an application of its ,totaling R9m
The decision represent a victory for solidarity regardless,asit has tirelessly fought to bring the politically connected company to book,According to the union,the liquidation order paves the way for legal action against directors Khulubuse Zuma,Zodwa Mandela,Michael Hulley and Thulani Ngubani, who may now held accountable for R1,7billion in damages from looting of mining assets at both mines while under their management.
The final liquidation of this affiliate, under which tyhe contracts of all Aurora employees fell and of which Mandela is director,is expected to be ratified on November.We hope and think all the employees will be informed and benefit after a long suffering because of capitalist,who really dont care about workers and commuunities,wish the best of luck.
Kwa thma monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Friday 14 October 2011
Climate change in South africa
South africa is the largest CO2 emitter on the African continent, and the 12th leargest emitter in the world.Devastating
Climate change is an average change of weather pattern of place for a long period of time, the cause of climate change is green house gases especially CO2 in the atmosphere.
Climate change will have a negative impact on us all as the earths average temperatures rises, Oceans are warming, ice caps in the north and south poles are melting, sea level are rising and extreme weather events like huricanes, drouhgt, floods, cold spells and heat waves are occuring more often. climate change is likely to results in adrain on the economy because of increased sickness among the population,damage to transpotation infrastructure, reduction in prdutive land and available water, loss of homes,through heavy rains.Having based our industrialisation on the burning of fossil fuels, we placed ourselves at the brief point between ecological contrant and ecological catastroph.We are living like there is no tomorrow,no coming generation.
Our South African Government is showing very little commitment or nothing at all, because they are still building more coal power station like Khusile and Modupi to generate electricity out of which emit lot of CO2. secondly our Government want to build 6 nuclear plant in Cape province to generate electricity.Nuclear is produced out of uranium which is radioactive as well as Nuclear,How can you generate electricity out of a bomb, we saw what happen in Japan.Government is not looking at itroducing renewable energies like Soalr, Wind turbines and Biomas and so on,We have all the resources in South africa.
Our commitment to tackle climate change does not rest only on the achievment and implementation of international agreements.Our commitment must be borne out by what we do here at home. We have the means indeed, the responsibility to ensure that our policies, programs and actvities contribute to emission reduction and respond to the impact of climate change on our country and region.Avoiding runaway climate change will require the most far reaching structral reforms carried out by human society, businness as usual is simply not an option, already other Countries like Kenya and Somalia are affected by drought. rewable energy must be introduced to aviod catastrophy in our country
Kwathema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Climate change is an average change of weather pattern of place for a long period of time, the cause of climate change is green house gases especially CO2 in the atmosphere.
Climate change will have a negative impact on us all as the earths average temperatures rises, Oceans are warming, ice caps in the north and south poles are melting, sea level are rising and extreme weather events like huricanes, drouhgt, floods, cold spells and heat waves are occuring more often. climate change is likely to results in adrain on the economy because of increased sickness among the population,damage to transpotation infrastructure, reduction in prdutive land and available water, loss of homes,through heavy rains.Having based our industrialisation on the burning of fossil fuels, we placed ourselves at the brief point between ecological contrant and ecological catastroph.We are living like there is no tomorrow,no coming generation.
Our South African Government is showing very little commitment or nothing at all, because they are still building more coal power station like Khusile and Modupi to generate electricity out of which emit lot of CO2. secondly our Government want to build 6 nuclear plant in Cape province to generate electricity.Nuclear is produced out of uranium which is radioactive as well as Nuclear,How can you generate electricity out of a bomb, we saw what happen in Japan.Government is not looking at itroducing renewable energies like Soalr, Wind turbines and Biomas and so on,We have all the resources in South africa.
Our commitment to tackle climate change does not rest only on the achievment and implementation of international agreements.Our commitment must be borne out by what we do here at home. We have the means indeed, the responsibility to ensure that our policies, programs and actvities contribute to emission reduction and respond to the impact of climate change on our country and region.Avoiding runaway climate change will require the most far reaching structral reforms carried out by human society, businness as usual is simply not an option, already other Countries like Kenya and Somalia are affected by drought. rewable energy must be introduced to aviod catastrophy in our country
Kwathema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Monday 10 October 2011
Ekkurhuleni(springs, nigel and brakpan(isf)
Ekurhuleni is east of Johannesburg in the Eastrand. Springs, nigel and brakpan are as well in the aest rand, Ekurhuleni,Ekurhuleni is place which was occupied by mines and other big companies without looking at the
effects of health of the communities and the was no consultation regarding their concerns
The industry safety forum recently launched to look at health and safety standards as well as conerns of the communty. The ISF has attracted representative from 15 leading companies,mostlty from manufacturing sector, together with the eastern Gauteng Chamber of commerce and industry.ISF chairman Leon, whois safety manager.says this broadbased represenatation is vital to the suatainability and effiecy of the forum.The role of the kwa thema monitor is to make sure the community issues are taken into consideration as well,the ISF has been established to create a pltform for information sharing and grwth in the field of health and safety.
The members are commited to assisting each other in areas such as compliance with statutory health,safety obligations and commuty issues,shaing of the best practices.problem solving and continous improvement. We also collectively review our strategies, to indentify opportunities for improvement and raising standards. We hope the spirit of cooperation and willingness to share information, this together with increased membership and broader represatation going foward,will raise overall awareness of the importance of communty issues the importance of thesafety and allow local businesses to benchmark their health and safety perfomances.
membership of of the ISF voluntary and meetings are held once a month.we beleive that working with monitors and community based organisation and professional people will assist all the stake holders to achieve better results for everyone involveWe must be to capacitate communties workers about their rights againts the companies around their places,more information will be shed as we kick off.
Kwa thema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Ekurhuleni Environmental Org
effects of health of the communities and the was no consultation regarding their concerns
The industry safety forum recently launched to look at health and safety standards as well as conerns of the communty. The ISF has attracted representative from 15 leading companies,mostlty from manufacturing sector, together with the eastern Gauteng Chamber of commerce and industry.ISF chairman Leon, whois safety manager.says this broadbased represenatation is vital to the suatainability and effiecy of the forum.The role of the kwa thema monitor is to make sure the community issues are taken into consideration as well,the ISF has been established to create a pltform for information sharing and grwth in the field of health and safety.
The members are commited to assisting each other in areas such as compliance with statutory health,safety obligations and commuty issues,shaing of the best practices.problem solving and continous improvement. We also collectively review our strategies, to indentify opportunities for improvement and raising standards. We hope the spirit of cooperation and willingness to share information, this together with increased membership and broader represatation going foward,will raise overall awareness of the importance of communty issues the importance of thesafety and allow local businesses to benchmark their health and safety perfomances.
membership of of the ISF voluntary and meetings are held once a month.we beleive that working with monitors and community based organisation and professional people will assist all the stake holders to achieve better results for everyone involveWe must be to capacitate communties workers about their rights againts the companies around their places,more information will be shed as we kick off.
Kwa thema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Ekurhuleni Environmental Org
Monday 26 September 2011
kwa thema electricity crisis
Kwa thema is township which is in the east of Johannesburg which fall under Ekurhuleni metro. Kwa thema is having population of 45 000 and high number of un employment which escalates crime.
Kwa thema recently is having a problem with local goverment corncening electricity,The new system was introduced without consulting the community and leaders of the community as well. The system most of the communty dont understant it but what they tell is that ir is expensive, as i have indicated most of the people are not working, those who do are earning next to nothing at all.
The leaders of the Kwathema community that is PAC and ANC called a commnity meeeting on issue of electrictyon 03.08.2011 and letter was drafted to the Mayor and the team, stated all the problem the community is not happy about with the issue of electricity as main issue.The moyor was given two weeks to respond, two weeks went by and the was no responce.another commnity meeting was called and a decision was taken that action must be taken to show the goverment the serouisness of the matter. On the 15.09.2011 comminity went on rampage stoping people from going to work burning gorverment propety street were closed with rockss and burning tyres government officials were threaten as well police came and used rubber bullts to stop the crowd. The second day again it was the same story.Eskom aproach the commnity leaders on the same issue and explain to the leaders that it was not him who introduced the system but the municipalty of kwa thema.The information made commniy more angry and on the 22.08.2011 again community of kwa thema took action destroying government propety and cars blocking the strees again.
The moyor till today have not responded to the leaders and the commnity about the matter.Meeting was held on 24.09.2011 for stategic action to pressurise the government to respond to the demands of the comminty.
MESHACK MBANGULA
KWA THEMA MONITOR
Kwa thema recently is having a problem with local goverment corncening electricity,The new system was introduced without consulting the community and leaders of the community as well. The system most of the communty dont understant it but what they tell is that ir is expensive, as i have indicated most of the people are not working, those who do are earning next to nothing at all.
The leaders of the Kwathema community that is PAC and ANC called a commnity meeeting on issue of electrictyon 03.08.2011 and letter was drafted to the Mayor and the team, stated all the problem the community is not happy about with the issue of electricity as main issue.The moyor was given two weeks to respond, two weeks went by and the was no responce.another commnity meeting was called and a decision was taken that action must be taken to show the goverment the serouisness of the matter. On the 15.09.2011 comminity went on rampage stoping people from going to work burning gorverment propety street were closed with rockss and burning tyres government officials were threaten as well police came and used rubber bullts to stop the crowd. The second day again it was the same story.Eskom aproach the commnity leaders on the same issue and explain to the leaders that it was not him who introduced the system but the municipalty of kwa thema.The information made commniy more angry and on the 22.08.2011 again community of kwa thema took action destroying government propety and cars blocking the strees again.
The moyor till today have not responded to the leaders and the commnity about the matter.Meeting was held on 24.09.2011 for stategic action to pressurise the government to respond to the demands of the comminty.
MESHACK MBANGULA
KWA THEMA MONITOR
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