MEDIA INVITE 27 JANUARY 2012

DEPUTY MINISTERS OF ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM TO LEAD WORLD WETLANDS DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LIMPOPO

The Deputy Ministers of Water and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi and Ms Thokozile Xasa, respectively, will lead South Africa’s World Wetlands Day 2012 celebrations at Makuleke Village in the Limpopo province on Thursday, 02 February 2012.

World Wetlands Day is an annual event that commemorates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 02 February 1971 in the Iranian City of Ramsar. The annual celebration aims to amongst others raise awareness on the importance of wetlands on socio-economic development. This year, World Wetlands Day will be celebrated under the theme: “Wetlands and Tourism” with the slogan “Enhancing community livelihoods”.

There is a planned media tour of the Redbuck Vlei and Mapimbi pans situated within the Kruger National Park to showcase the unique value of these Makuleke wetlands for eco-tourism.

Also expected to attend are the Premier of Limpopo, Mr Cassel Mathale, the Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Florence Dzhombere and the Mayor of Thulamela Municipality, Cllr Grace Mahosi.

The media is invited to the event:

Date: Thursday, 02 February 2012

Venue Details:

Part 1: Site visit at Redbuck Vlei and Mapimbi pans situated at Makuleke Region within the Kruger National Park.

Time: 07:00 - 09:00

Part 2: Makuleke Village, next to Makuleke Tribal Authority, situated along Punda Maria road to Kruger National Park, Limpopo province

Time: 10h30 – 13h30

To RSVP please contact:

Xolani Ngqoshela

Tel: 012-310 3078

E-mail: XNgqoshela@environment.gov.za

Banele Mabena