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Meeting @ Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - Friday, 25 June 2000
Summary of intent
Speaker List
Other Attendants
Transcript of the meeting

 

Meeting2506_1.jpg (21763 bytes) From left to right:
Keith Cooper - W&E Soc
Wally Menne - BOTSoc
Philip Owen - SAWAC
Dirk Versfeld - CSIR
Donald Strydom - Swadini

 

Meeting2506_2.jpg (22272 bytes) From left to right:
David Chown - Earthlife Africa
Rosemary du Preez - ARC
Morne Lizamore - DWAF
John McAllister - MPB


Summary of Intent
Delegates from various organizations talked about the current water situation, the impact of mono culture plantations, the state of Mpumalangas rivers, possible alternative agriculture for the region (hemp, herbs), bio-diversity in the area and the effect of pollutants on rainfall.  The aim of the meeting was to create informed awareness around the looming water crisis and to establish real contact between relevant role players and the public. The intention was, to determine the size of the problem, and look ahead at possible solutions.

June 25 Speaker List

Kevin Zunckle - Mpumalanga Parks Board
Facilitator.
 
Philip Owen - SAWAC
Stop Alien Tree Plantations from invading our remaining natural grassland. 
 
Morne Lizamore - Dept. Water Affairs and Forestry
Explained the procedure for obtaining planting permits, expanding on the thinking behind issuing these permits. The idea that "If you got water, use it, otherwise lose it" was promoted. 
 
Mr. Dirk Versveld - C.S.I.R.
Strategic Environmental  Assessment.
 
Mr. Shaun McCartney - Mondi
Representing "torestry" industry,
 
Mr. Wally Menne - Botanical Society
The negative impacts of "forestry" industry on the social environment.
Prof. Willem Furgeson - Dept. Zoology and Entomology, UP
Small mammals in plantation areas.
John McAllister - Mpumalanga Parks Board
Birds in plantation areas. 
 
Donald Strydom - Swadini Reptile Park
Reptiles and Plantations 
 
Rosemary du Preez - Agricultural Research Council
Medicinal Herbs and Plants, Their value and conservation. 
 
Davin Chown - Earth Life Africa
Plantations and the impacts on the natural environment. The need for proper cost benefit analyses.
 
Some articles based upon the respective authors input is available on the "Articles" section of this site.
 
 
 
Dept. Water Affairs and Forestry
Naomi Fourie
Frano Combrinck
Dave Nel
Vernen van Blerk 
Richard Green
Laura Yeatman
Brian Jackson
Stephan Crafford ?  
Claret le Roux 
 
Mpumalanga Parks Board
Mervyn Lotter
Ronel Niemand 
 
Dept. Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Hein Geldenhuiz
 
 
ESKOM
Louise Golding
Mr. Raphulu
 
Working for Water
Fiona Ross
 
Rural Development Services Network
Signet Mashego
 
Botanical Society
Tony Jones 
Joe Onderstal 
(And various other members)
Institute of Social Ecology
Dr. Lynn Hurry
 
Students
Natasha Halbich
Petrus Swart
Ernest Khubayi
Titus Masenya 
 
Media
Peta Watts - Radio Safari
Erna van Zyl - The Lowvelder
 
Others
Graham Deall
Vic Wightman
Victor Mohlala
Theo and Ernstine Owen
Elsmarie Cronje
Benedict Jordaan
Rudolph Riphagen

Transcript of the meeting

It became clear that more research is needed to determine the holistic impact of alien mono culture tree plantations on our natural and social environment. 
The SAWaC@listbot e-mail list was endorsed as a means of facilitating discussion.