In preparation for the Public Hearing scheduled for 2 November 2004, an invitations were sent on the 18^th of October 2004 to organizations working in environmental areas to submit their written inputs or request for oral submission to the Committee not later than the 26 October 2004, on 2003/2004 Annual Report of the Department of Environment and Tourism submitted to Parliament in compliance with section 40 (1) (e) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) 1999. Out of the 20 organizations invited, only two organizations submitted request for oral presentation to the Committee on the day of Public Hearing scheduled 2 November 2004.

Having conducted public hearing on 2 November 2004 on 2003 / 2004 Annual Report of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourisms reports to Parliament as follows:

1. MEMBERS ATTENDANCE

Mr. JD Arendse, ANC, Ms J Chalmers, ANC, Mr. JJ Combrinck, ANC, Mr. M U Kalako, ANC, Ms NP Khunou, ANC, Mr. S J Maja, ANC, Mr. M I Moss, ANC, Mrs. RA Ndzanga, ANC, Ms MM Ntuli, ANC, Dr M Sefularo, ANC, Ms E Thabethe, ANC, Mr. M J Ellis, DA, Mr. GR Morgan, DA, Ms J Semple, DA, Ms CN Zikalala, IFP, Mr. LW Greyling, ID, Ms CB Johnson, NNP and Mr. KDS Durr, ACDP.

2. PUBLIC AND OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE

Mr. R Timms, Mr. D Cowley, Hout Bay Heritage Trust, Mr. G Davies, Anglican Church Environment Network, Mr. R Ackerman, Mr. T Bower, Mr. D Lefutso, Mr. M Naidoo, Mr. J P Louw Mr. S Moolla, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms N Malan, Sabinet Online, Mr. K Lahens, Contact Trust, Mr. D Devilliers, Sasol, Mr. C Vangass, Business Day, Dr I J Whyte, Dr D Mabunda, and Mr. H Magome, South African National Parks

On the 2 November 2004, the Portfolio Committee conducted public hearing on the 2003/2004 Annual Report of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism tabled in parliament in terms of Public Finance Management Act. In opening the proceedings, the Chairperson stated that the main objectives of public hearing was to solicit inputs from the public on the 2003/ 2004 annual report of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism submitted to Parliament in compliance to Public Finance Management Act of 1999. Oral inputs were then, made by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Hout Bay Heritage Trust, Anglican Church Environmental Network and South African National Parks.

Mr. Mr. J P Louw from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism presented an overview of the 2003/2004 Departmental annual report. He informed the committee that annual report tabled to parliament in terms of the requirements of public finance management Act, has demonstrated how effective and efficient has the department has used tax payers money and performed according to its mandate.

Mr. Dave Cowley, the Chairperson of the management committee of the Hout Bay & Llandudno Heritage Trust made oral input on a proposal for the creation of South African National Heritage Organization. The input focused on the definition of national heritage organization, example of National Heritage Organization in Britain, how could a national heritage organization help to build economy and the role of South African Heritage Resources Act and Heritage Agreements.

In his conclusion, Mr. Dave Cowley proposed a joint support of Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Department of Arts and Culture and to launch a selected project on National Heritage Day and the creation of South African National Heritage Organization to preserve national heritage sites, make heritage accessible, encourage tourists and visitors to make sites sustainable, restore and maintain heritage sites

Bishop Geoff Davies, the Chairperson of the Anglican Church Environmental Network made oral input on the developments along the Wild Coast, namely the sand dune mining at Xolobeni and the N2 toll road in Eastern Cape.

One of the concern raised by Bishop Geoff Davies is that the proposed developments along the wild coast, namely the sand dune mining at Xolobeni and the N2 toll road are deigned to benefit the already rich who do not live in the area. Concern about the imposition of R150 toll fees. In order to ensure that developments bring sustainable economic empowerment to the local communities and growth, the Anglican Church Environmental Network proposes the upgrading and building of the local road infrastructure, economic empowerment projects that involve local population, eco-tourist and local capacity building for local communities. Upgrading of R 61 road so as to provide local people with access to other surrounding localities. proposed that existing roads should be upgraded rather than the construction of new roads..

In the opinion of the Committee, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has successfully complied with the requirements of Public Finance Management Act by tabling its 2003/ 2004 Annual Report in time. The Committee is happy to report that the departmental report has clearly captures the measurable objectives and performance indicators during the period under review. Noting that the department has received an award for managing public finances, the Committee congratulates the Department for receiving the award and for delivering service in terms of the measurable objectives and performance indicators.

In preparation for the meeting scheduled for 16 November 2004, the Chairperson, Ms E Thabethe tabled report of the Provincial Study Tour on air pollution in Kwazulu- Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and Western Cape, report of the delegation of the Committee during participation in the Johannesburg + 2 Sustainable Development Conference held on 1^st –3^rd September 2004, amended 2004 Committee program and draft 2005-2006 Committee program. Members were then asked to submit their inputs on the reports and draft 2005-2006 Committee program through, the Office of the Chairperson or the Committee Secretary.

Having conducted Public Hearing on the Department on Environmental Affairs and Tourism 2003/ 2004 Annual Report on 2 November 2004, the Committee concludes and recommends that:

5.1.The Departments of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Arts and Culture be called to a joint meeting with the portfolio committees of environmental affairs and tourism and arts and culture to members on mechanisms in place to ensure coordination, management, and sustainability of National Heritage Sites.

5.2. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to brief the Committee on outstanding issues related to trans-frontier national parks, thorn chemicals, appointments of consultants and monitoring plastic bags members raised during the public hearing.

5.3. A Provincial Study Tour in Eastern Cape be undertaken during the 2005 Parliamentary period to monitor environmental and developmental impacts of N2 toll road to the communities.

5.4. The Committee must during the 2005 financial period undertake a study tour to Kruger National Park to look at the state of elephant and interact with members of the community in the vicinity of Kruger National Park to solicit their inputs on management plan and strategy for Elephant.

5.5. Public hearings be conducted during the 2005 financial period to solicit public inputs on 2004 reports of the National Tourism, South African National Parks, National Botanical Institute and Greater St Lucian Wetland park submitted to Parliament in accordance to Public Finance Management Act of 1999.

5.6. The Committee together with the Select Committee on land and Environmental Affairs must during the 2005 Parliamentary Committee week call the National Road Agency and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to brief members on environmental impact assessment in relation the national toll road

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Ms E Thabethe [MP]

Chairperson