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SATURDAY,
05 JUNE 2004: An estimated 100 000 jobs are to be created by the Bee
Foundation to be launched by the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs
and
Tourism
Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, on Saturday, June 5, at Makonde Village near
Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province.
The programme has been initiated by the Bee Foundation, a company concerned
with job creation in rural areas and the conservation of the Bee population
as well as the welfare of the natural resources.
The launch forms part of the weeklong celebrations in South Africa to
mark the Environment Week, building up to the World Environment Day on
Saturday, June 5. South Africa’s theme for the Environment Week
celebrations is “A Decade of Sustainability - our environment,
our future” with emphasis on the progress and developments in key
areas in the management of the environment for the past ten years.
After the launch the Bee Project, which is NEPAD-driven, will spread
to other provinces in the country. In Limpopo alone the initiative will
create 25 000 jobs.
Lebohang Ntsinyi, Minister of Environmental Affairs, Tourism and Culture
from Lesotho will accompany the deputy minister. Sello Moloto, the newly
elected Premier of Limpopo and Thaba Mufamadi, the MEC for Finance and
Economic Development in the province will attend the launch.
Over the last decade South Africa has experienced a shift in natural
resource management from the one that has been elite-driven and “protectionist” to
the one that now also focuses on other aspects such as human rights,
access to natural resources, equity and environmental sustainability.
Thus the environment in South Africa has been recognized as the “resource
behind economic development.”
The province of Limpopo has been chosen for the launch of this project
because of its rich vegetation, which is suitable for the survival of
the bee population. The production of honey depends largely in areas
where bees can get the necessary nectar, water and the manpower to protect
their hives.
The history of Makonde village in the former Venda homeland is legendary and
has been well documented. It was in this village between 1750 and 1965 that the
Europeans invaded and discouraged the Vhavhenda people from practicing their
way of living and worshipping (God-Mwali). The village of Mukonde is very much
part of the South African history just like the historical battles fought by
the indigenous people of this country against the invading colonial armies. Up
until today Makonde village has been identified as one of this country’s
unexplored tourists spots.
The project, therefore, would be seen as an appeasement to the spirit
of the late prince Ravhura and the Vhavhenda people as well as the people
of the province and South Africa. The celebrations will begin at St Brendan
Secondary School in Ga-Phasha village, near Botlokwa on Thursday, June
4. The Deputy Minister and MEC Mufamadi will lead the audience in celebrations
to revive the Tropic of Capricorn Monument outside Polokwane.
The media is invited to attend these historic launches,
and transport and accommodation will be provided.
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