Groen Sebenza

Groen Sebenza is a jobs Fund project aimed at developing priority skills in the biodiversity sector to create sustainable job opportunities for 800 unemployed graduates and matriculants.

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) was pleased to announce that it has embarked on a major skills development and job creation pilot programme, Groen Sebenza, a Jobs Fund Partnership Project. Groen Sebenza is aimed at developing priority skills in the biodiversity sector to create sustainable job opportunities for 800 unemployed graduates and matriculants. Groen Sebenza which means Green (in Afrikaans) and Work (in isiZulu) brings young South Africans from previously disadvantaged backgrounds together with experienced biodiversity professionals to learn, grow and eventually gain the competence and confidence to embark on rewarding and meaningful biodiversity careers. The programme partners with 33 organisations from all tiers of government, NGOs and the private sector. The human capital development strategy for the Biodiversity sector indicates that South Africa has a shortage of skills to manage its biodiversity. Various historical inequalities have also contributed to this skills shortage. The programme has been initiated to respond to these demands, as identified by the various research efforts conducted in the sector.

At the Gala dinner of the Groen Sebenza Induction Week that took place at Birchwood Hotel

 

The R300 million project is sponsored by the Development Bank of Southern Africa’s Jobs Fund. It is spearheaded by SANBI and is a first in the local biodiversity industry

The Groen Sebenza Internship opportunity

Groen Sebenza is based on an "incubator model" giving the 800 participating youth workplace experience through a structured mentoring programme, together with skills development and training opportunities for a period of two-and-a-half (2½) years. 500 graduates and 300 school leavers (matriculants) referred to as 'incubants' will be placed with one of the 33 partner organisations for the duration of the project.

National:

·         SANBI - South African National Biodiversity Institute (106)

·         DEA - Natural Resource Management (91)

·         WESSA (59)

·         South African National Parks (51)

·         DEA - Education, Training & Development (50)

·         WWF-SA (30)

·         Department Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (23)

·         NCC -Nature Conservation Environmental Services (9)

·         Botanical Society of SA (5)

Western Cape:

·         Cape Nature (40)

·         Chrysalis Academy (25)

·         City Of Cape Town (14)

·         Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (13)

·         Gondwana Alive (4)

KwaZulu Natal:

·         Wildlands Conservation Trust (38)

·         Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (20)

·         iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority (17)

·         D.U.C.T - Duzi uMngeni Conservation Trust (4)

·         Groundtruth (3)

Eastern Cape:

·         Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (16)

·         Rhodes University (7)

·         ECPTA-Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism (7)

·         Sustaining Wild Coast Trust (3)

·         Living Lands (3)

Gauteng:

·         EWT - Endangered Wildlife Trust (12)

·         City of Tshwane (6)

·         Ekurhuleni Municipality (5)

·         Conservation SA (5)

Northern Cape:

·         Indigo-Development & Change (2)

·         Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (5)

·         EMG - Environmental Monitoring Group (3)

Limpopo:

·         LEDET-Limpopo Department of Economic Development Environment & Tourism (120)

·         Waterberg Biosphere Reserve (4)\



With my colleagues from DEA

Governance

The Programme is governed by a Project Steering Committee which consists of high level representatives from the 33 Partner organisations or government departments
The Project Secretariat consists of the following staff members:
Ms Vivian Malema (Project Director)
Mr Donavan Fullard (Programme Manager)
Ms Romela Herman (Project Admin support).

 

Zero Carbon Africa

I was pleasantly surprised when I got the message that I was chosen as South Africa's Focal Point for Zero Carbon Africa's effort to combat climate change and environmental degradation in Africa.

Zero Carbon Africa (ZCA) is an alliance of youth-led/focused organizations and young individuals working to build grassroots movement across Africa to combat the effect of climate change and environmental degradation through innovative grassroots projects and Continental Day of Actions to mobilize Africa for sustainable development.

My Responsibilities for the 2 years include:

 

·Represent Zero Carbon Africa in your country as a focal point

·Conduct research on organizations working in your country on climate change, environmental protection and/or sustainable development and make contact with such organizations.

·Coordinate the National Day of Action on Climate Change, and other Zero Carbon Africa activities in your country.

·Build relationship and engage loose collections of individuals, activists and organizations to increase grassroots climate change awareness in your country.

·Collate monthly report on activities on climate change by local organizers, groups, advocates, individuals for Zero Carbon Africa in your country.

·Submit a brief report and pictures of conferences/important meetings attended.

·Contribute timely feedback upon request on important issues, documents and/or proposals.

·Contribute climate change-related news and relevant resources for the Zero Carbon Africa website and blog.

·Represent Zero Carbon Africa and its objectives of empowering the youth working on climate change at any relevant national conferences and events.

·Undertake outreach and communication with Zero Carbon Africa in your country, to ensure equal focus and representation related to national needs, challenges and activities.

·Organize local gatherings (networking meetings, capacity building) at least once every six months with young change makers in resource-constrained areas.

The Zero Carbon Africa Continental Day of Action on Climate Change is October 25, on this day I am expected to carry out grassroots activities that demonstrate real action to adapt and mitigate climate change effect.

As a Country Focal Point I am required to inspire others to do the same in my country.

During my first Skype conference call with Country Focal Points from all over Africa I got goose bumps because I realised the immensity of the project and my responsibilities.

I AM BEING THE CHANGE THAT I WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!

 

Environmental Affairs Office get a 6 star Green Star SA rating

Environmental Affairs Office get a 6 star Green Star SA rating

The new Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) head office in Pretoria has received a 6 Star Green Star SA Office Design v1 certification from the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA).

This is the first government building in South Africa to achieve a 6 Star Green Star SA rating, as well as being the first 6 Star rated green building in the City of Tshwane. A further stellar accomplishment was that the project achieved the highest score for a large commercial office space of this magnitude awarded by the GBCSA to date.

“The DEA has taken the lead, and is demonstrating commitment to market transformation in the built environment in South Africa. This is an exceptional illustration of the public and the private sector working together to deliver an outstanding example of green building,” said GBCSA, CEO Brian Wilkinson.

Achievement of this 6 Star Green Star SA rating signifies world leadership in green building and shows dedication to sustainable design by all stakeholders in this sizeable public-private partnership (PPP) project.

’This is not just another good looking block of offices in town, but a performing  green building with specific targets on energy efficiency, water efficiency, an industry first sophisticated energy consumption mechanism never implemented in any other project in the construction sector,  the use of renewable source of energy and a unique first facilities management system that encapsulate a rigorous penalty regime (with no precedent in the construction sector) to reward  operational efficiency and penalise  poor performance” says Minister Edna Molewa.

The DEA specified that the building should achieve a minimum 4 Star Green Star SA rating; however, the professional team surpassed this goal by scoring full points in the energy category, as well as being only the second project to achieve five points in the innovation category.

Once construction is complete and the building is occupied, the DEA head office will also submit documentation towards receiving an ‘As-built’ Green Star SA rating, which ensures that the original intentions in the design phase were adhered to.

Long-term Green
The Facilities Management (FM) team has been involved with the project from the very start – including decisions on designs, suppliers, materials, and sub-contractors. FM plays a role in the commissioning of the building, ensuring that accurate data is collected, and used as a benchmark to evaluate the ongoing building performance.

“Operating the Building Management System will require specialised training, as will the Facilities Management System. Facility managers will attend the GBCSA Accredited Professional course to gain insight into green building and what they are required to do to keep this building green,” explains Dijalo Property Group director Peter Gray.

Green buildings represent responsible investment and reduced liability, and financial benefits of green buildings are realised through savings on energy and water over the long-term. Importantly, green buildings can also play a role in increasing productivity in the workplace, and greater attraction and retention of valuable skills.

The new DEA head office is likely to be a catalyst in the South African built environment, spurring momentum of the adoption of sustainable building practices.

Congratulations to the Department of Environmental Affairs for being a World Leader of Green Buildings.

Fuel Saving Tips

1. Lighten the load in your vehicle.
2. Plan your trips and minimise short trips or WALK.
3. Keep a safe following distance.
4. Use airconditioner only when necessary.
5. Reduce idling time.
6. Travel earlier/later to avoid known traffic peaks.
7. Resolve minor and major car service issues.
8. Keep your tyres inflated to the proper pressure.
9. Join a lift club.
10. If available, use public transport.
11. Use recommended grade of motor oil for your car.
12. Change gears according to your speed.

Electricity Saving Tips

1. Take a shower instead of a bath.
2. Don't fill the kettle - only boil the water that you need.
3. Keep the fridge door closed and make sure it is properly sealed.
4. Don't cook with a small pot on a large stove plate.
5. Dress for the season - warm in winter and light clothing during the summer.
6. Switch off all appliances when they are not in use.
7. Reduce your heater and/or geyser temperature from hot to warm.
8. Close all doors and windows when the airconditioner or heater is on.
9. Use CFL energy saving bulbs at all times.
10. Fit one light bulb with the correct level of brightness in a room.
11. Turn the lights off when you leave the room.
12. Do all your ironing at the same time.

Be an energy-efficiency ambassador and share your energy saving tips.

"Today's wastage is tomorrow's shortage."

How to rear environmentally aware children

From when your child is young, teach them

• Don't leave the tap running.
• Don't keep the electricity (lights, computer) running longer than you absolutely have to.
• Don't buy things you do not need.
• Try to use no chemicals. If you do use products that are not environmentally friendly like shampoo, toothpaste and creams, use the bare minimum.
• Refuse to eat junk food that damages your body and damages the planet while it is being made, or when it is thrown away after use.
• Don't destroy plants, kill insects unnecessarily  If you do never with poisons that has a knock-on effect that may kill far beyond what you intended. 
• Don't drop litter, create waste, use disposables, throw things away if they can be recycled, and, if you are very clever you start to put pressure on adults to do more for our environment. 
• Always remember that although you might think "What will this little amount hurt?", cumulatively, if everyone litters, poisons, consumes too much, does not cooperate too, we destroy ourselves.

The most important concepts to get into the heads of children is:

• Where does what we use come from?
• What damage was done to bring it to us?
• Where does it go to when we throw it away?
• What damage is done by that?

Practical steps to be more environmentally responsible

1. Under no circumstances buy or eat battery farmed meat or eggs. Watch out for battery farmed fish eg. Norwegian Salmon.
2. Until you have your house off the grid , turn off every appliance not in immediate need especially geysers, no standby for televisions and computers.
3. Refuse packaging and disposables and anything which will need to be thrown away.
4. Recycle everything possible.
5. Buy local.
6. Retrofit your car with an engine in the wheel, powered by batteries . Buy an electric car as soon as they come out and try and make your electricity source to power the car renewable. Until then travel as little and drive as mildly as you can to use less petrol and keep your car properly tuned and tyres at correct pressure.
7. Grow your own food. Collect your own water. Nourish worms, plants, pets and wildlife with your food leftovers. 
8. Use as little water possible Install grey water reuse system and low flow shower heads.
9. Never cut down trees. If you have to plant many to replace them.
10. Use no toxins at all.
11. Give away to needy people anything you do not need, to prevent more having to made for that person.

South Africa's first zero carbon emissions car