Opinion / Columnist
Malema, Zuma fail to give clear-cut policies
31 Mar 2014 at 12:36hrs | Views
Even though their surnames both end with the letters 'ma' and even if they carry the letter 'm' found in the word 'environment, Malema and Zuma are worlds apart and bitter political rivals who still have a lot of catching up to do in issues regarding environmental awareness as highlighted in their recently publicized campaign speeches across South Africa. In South Africa the issue of waste management has become a potential health hazard with a high probability of jeopardizing the health delivery system if left without urgent attendance.
Malema castigated the electorate of SA for the massive mismanagement of service delivery system saying that they (South Africans) were failing themselves due to their lack of political maturity as they were repeatedly choosing the same people to lead them who were apparently doing nothing for them.
'The reason you are here is because you keep on voting for the same people. Change is you…change your vote,' he urged them.
He said this while addressing hundreds of EFF party supporters who had gathered for the launch of his party's election campaign in Mamelodi, on February 16.
It has become a norm in most African States under the governance of revolutionary nationalist parties to repeatedly fail to come up with clear-cut environmental policies in order to address issues of environmental management.
The failure by Zuma and Malema in their campaign manifestos to address immediate environment insults such as litter management will automatically mean that they in turn cannot handle bigger issues like climate change, which is considered a long-term threat.
'Economic development that threatens environmental quality must be greatly opposed,' said Kate a resident of Mamelodi East.
The percentage of South African environmental optimists has been going down fast due to the lack of hope in the Zuma administration to handle the issue of the environmental crisis especially visible in the cities. Our finding stated that around 78% of South Africans think that the environment is getting worse.
Thandi another resident pointed out that, 'People's perceptions of the nation's overall environmental quality are heavily negative since Zuma assumed presidency.'
Is the air, water and land cleaner in the places where Zuma and Malema live than in the ghettos where the majority of black South Africans live? So goes the adage; Charity begins at home!
Politicians however should not forget that winning presidential elections and the realization of economic growth require and even to a much greater extent depend on the environment.
Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, well over 60% of the American public favored protecting the environment even if it harmed the economy, and less than 30% favored economic growth that might damage the environment. The gap between these numbers closed during the George W. Bush administration, and during the great recession, the focus on economic growth at all cost grew, reaching a peak in 2009 with 54% favored growth over the environment, and only 36% favored environment over economic growth. However during the past two years, the traditional pattern has resumed, and this year, 50% prioritized environment protection over economic growth, while only 40% favored economic growth over environmental protection.
Gallup's analysts based in the USA considers the evolution of hyper-partisan politics as the driver behind degrading environmental trends globally. In South Africa the young populace of 30 and below favors environmental protection against economic growth while the aged above 60 prefer economic growth to the environment.
The South African Constitution, Fundamental Rights in section 24 states that, 'Everyone has a right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that will:
• Prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
• Promote conservation; and
• Secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.'
The same also provides for the establishment of a Human Rights Commission whose powers and functions include investigating and reporting on the observance of, respect for and the protection of Fundamental Rights (including Environmental Rights).
In pursuance of environmental protection rights South Africa ratified the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act in 1965; the International Health Regulations in 1974 in relation to discharges from aircrafts; and the Mines and Works Act.
The WRI World Resources: A Guide To The Global Environment, Oxford University informed that South Africa emits 305.81 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.
In South Africa the principal sources of pollution are vehicular emissions, manufacturing, mining and industry, thermal power stations, copper smelters, fero-alloy works, steel works, foundries, fertilizer and cement plants and pulp-and-paper mills, the burning of tyres, while sand dumps and sludge dams due to mining, also contribute significantly to dust problems, posing high health risks to mining communities.
On the one hand costal cities and towns in South Africa discharge more than 500 million litres of industrial and human wastes into the sea daily through more than 50 pipelines, largely without treatment. Sea water is beginning to show signs of pollution in the vicinity of major coastal towns.
The late freedom fighter and veteran nationalist of South Africa Nelson Mandela became the first black president following democratic elections in 1994. It is believed that environmentalism will become a strong force in the agenda of African politics in the next several decades. And South African political parties must indeed begin to prioritize protecting their environmental ahead economic growth and political glory. Instead of 'killing the Boer', let us 'save the Bear'
Like Us On Facebook http//Maxwell Teedzai//Environment Watch
Email: maxwellteedzai03@gmail.com
Phone: +263 0 776 890 173
Malema castigated the electorate of SA for the massive mismanagement of service delivery system saying that they (South Africans) were failing themselves due to their lack of political maturity as they were repeatedly choosing the same people to lead them who were apparently doing nothing for them.
'The reason you are here is because you keep on voting for the same people. Change is you…change your vote,' he urged them.
He said this while addressing hundreds of EFF party supporters who had gathered for the launch of his party's election campaign in Mamelodi, on February 16.
It has become a norm in most African States under the governance of revolutionary nationalist parties to repeatedly fail to come up with clear-cut environmental policies in order to address issues of environmental management.
The failure by Zuma and Malema in their campaign manifestos to address immediate environment insults such as litter management will automatically mean that they in turn cannot handle bigger issues like climate change, which is considered a long-term threat.
'Economic development that threatens environmental quality must be greatly opposed,' said Kate a resident of Mamelodi East.
The percentage of South African environmental optimists has been going down fast due to the lack of hope in the Zuma administration to handle the issue of the environmental crisis especially visible in the cities. Our finding stated that around 78% of South Africans think that the environment is getting worse.
Thandi another resident pointed out that, 'People's perceptions of the nation's overall environmental quality are heavily negative since Zuma assumed presidency.'
Is the air, water and land cleaner in the places where Zuma and Malema live than in the ghettos where the majority of black South Africans live? So goes the adage; Charity begins at home!
Politicians however should not forget that winning presidential elections and the realization of economic growth require and even to a much greater extent depend on the environment.
Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, well over 60% of the American public favored protecting the environment even if it harmed the economy, and less than 30% favored economic growth that might damage the environment. The gap between these numbers closed during the George W. Bush administration, and during the great recession, the focus on economic growth at all cost grew, reaching a peak in 2009 with 54% favored growth over the environment, and only 36% favored environment over economic growth. However during the past two years, the traditional pattern has resumed, and this year, 50% prioritized environment protection over economic growth, while only 40% favored economic growth over environmental protection.
Gallup's analysts based in the USA considers the evolution of hyper-partisan politics as the driver behind degrading environmental trends globally. In South Africa the young populace of 30 and below favors environmental protection against economic growth while the aged above 60 prefer economic growth to the environment.
The South African Constitution, Fundamental Rights in section 24 states that, 'Everyone has a right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that will:
• Prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
• Promote conservation; and
• Secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.'
The same also provides for the establishment of a Human Rights Commission whose powers and functions include investigating and reporting on the observance of, respect for and the protection of Fundamental Rights (including Environmental Rights).
In pursuance of environmental protection rights South Africa ratified the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act in 1965; the International Health Regulations in 1974 in relation to discharges from aircrafts; and the Mines and Works Act.
The WRI World Resources: A Guide To The Global Environment, Oxford University informed that South Africa emits 305.81 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.
In South Africa the principal sources of pollution are vehicular emissions, manufacturing, mining and industry, thermal power stations, copper smelters, fero-alloy works, steel works, foundries, fertilizer and cement plants and pulp-and-paper mills, the burning of tyres, while sand dumps and sludge dams due to mining, also contribute significantly to dust problems, posing high health risks to mining communities.
On the one hand costal cities and towns in South Africa discharge more than 500 million litres of industrial and human wastes into the sea daily through more than 50 pipelines, largely without treatment. Sea water is beginning to show signs of pollution in the vicinity of major coastal towns.
The late freedom fighter and veteran nationalist of South Africa Nelson Mandela became the first black president following democratic elections in 1994. It is believed that environmentalism will become a strong force in the agenda of African politics in the next several decades. And South African political parties must indeed begin to prioritize protecting their environmental ahead economic growth and political glory. Instead of 'killing the Boer', let us 'save the Bear'
Like Us On Facebook http//Maxwell Teedzai//Environment Watch
Email: maxwellteedzai03@gmail.com
Phone: +263 0 776 890 173
Source - Maxwell Teedzai
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