Forestry, Fisheries and Environment ministry on Good Green Deeds in Sekhukhune
MOHLALETSE – The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Makhotso Sotyu, embarked on a Good Green Deeds campaign in Mohlaletse Village within Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality recently.
Deputy Minister Sotyu was accompanied by Sekhukhune Executive Mayor, Stanley Ramaila and Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality Mayor, Ralepane Mamekoa during the campaign.
The deputy minister’s visit emanated from an invitation she received from Thakadu Tsa Naga Farmers Association to support them with the establishment of inland fish farming, aquaculture.
As part of her visit to the area, Deputy Minister Sotyu engaged with communities and traditional leadership on several developmental issues including environmental educational programme. She also donated garden tools, bins and participated in tree planting activities.
Good Green Deeds is a national campaign launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa with an objective of encouraging responsible environmental practice within and across all sectors and levels of society. It strives to change individuals’ behaviour towards littering, illegal dumping and waste in general.
Deputy Minister Sotyu said her visit there emanated from an invitation she received from Thakadu Tsa Naga Farming Association indicating that they were given permission to occupy 20 hectares land by King Sekhukhune and have a vision to develop the 10 hectares for fish and chicken farming and 10 hectares for vegetable to address unemployment in the area.
Sotyu added that Thakadu Tsa Naga Farming Association also requested her to lead a “Thuma Mina/Roma Nna” Good Green Deeds programme, raising awareness on the importance of a clean environment, tree planting and educating communities about good environmental practices.
She informed that their interventions in response to the request from Thakadu Tsa Naga Farming Association was that the officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment spent the few days carrying out a clean-up campaign working hand with members of the community.
“In terms of promoting greening in this area, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is donating 500 trees to be planted in 12 schools including garden tools. At least 15 job opportunities have been created for locals,” said Sotyu. The department is already engaging Thakadu Tsa Naga Farming Association. Our officials from fisheries branch conducted basic technical assessment on inland fish farming, aquaculture on 23 August.
To support Thakadu Tsa Naga Farming Association with inland fish farming, a technical task team which includes but not limited to Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Limpopo, will be established,” said Sotyu.