DRAFT
Sasolburg Air Quality Monitoring Committee Submission to the National Portfolio Committee on Environment and Tourism.

National Environmental Management: Air Quality Bill

Introduction

Honorable Chairperson and members of the Portfolio Committee, comrades and friends. My name is Caroline Ntaopane from the Sasolburg Air Quality Monitoring Committee. I live in Zamdela, Sasolburg, 100 meters from SASOL.

I am coming to you as a person who suffers from the impact of pollution, a mother whose child suffers from asthma, a resident who sees my communities health deteriorate due to the pollution that is caused by industry.

Sasolburg (Free State Province) is one of the places that possibly has the most concentrated heavy chemical industries in the country.

It is a known fact that Sasolburg community carries the health costs as a result of the number of heavy industries in the area. At the same time the residents are dependant on those industries for jobs and income. At the same time many residents are simply without jobs and unemployed.

Sustainable development is needed in Sasolburg. This developments must improve the quality of life of residents in every aspect. Mostly improvement is needed around health and the environment in which we live in. Sustainable development recognize the need to improve people's lives but not damage the environment and peoples health.

Therefore the Air Quality Bill must have as its main purpose to protect our environment and our well-being. We have many people who are suffering from asthma, respiratory illnesses, eye irritation and skin irritation as a result of the chemical industries. We believe and trust that the Bill is a good step that our government has taken. With this bill maybe government will be able to put pressure on industry to reduce or minimize the level of pollution.

Participation
However it is important for us as the vulnerable civil society to take part in the process of development of our country. Government must assist and protect us from industrial activity that is solely based on profit. We need to develop industries that create jobs BUT also protect and care for our health and environment.

We want the Bill to give communities and government the power to close down industries that continue to practice poor and outdated process and technology. Industry must make use of cleaner technology in order to enhance the environment and assist with job creation act at the same time.

Hot spot areas like Sasolburg must be given special attention by National government. Big industries like Sasol can easily overpower communities and our poor local governments. Government must train and equipt our local municipalities to effectively and severely monitor industrial activities.

Finally we need to feel safe, protected and everyone listening to our views and our voices. After all we must be all concerned about our environment because we are going to spend the rest of our lives living in South Africa and we have to protect our environment for our children..