WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 2006:
“The fact that the South African exhibit managed
to win its 28th Gold Medal speaks volumes about
our country’s rich biodiversity and our ability
to safeguard it on behalf of the world population.
These were the words of Marthinus van Schalkwyk,
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism,
reacting to the news that South Africa has been
awarded its 28th Gold Medal at the annual Chelsea
Flower Show in London.
The Minister said: “Although
we occupy only 2% of the world’s surface, South
Africa is home to nearly 10% of the world’s plants
- the Chelsea Flower Show success and the quality
of our exhibition is a true show case of this
great natural variety. With the launch this week
of our National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan (NBSAP), this award confirms the value and
international esteem in which our rich natural
heritage is held.”
The Minister further added:
“David Davidson and Roy Hudson, co-designers,
and the rest of the team working on the South
African exhibit, must be congratulated on their
hard work and creative brilliance.”
Abalone, Rock Lobster Poachers
Arrested
FRIDAY, 26 MAY 2006: Two men were arrested in
Ocean View early yesterday morning (25 May 2006)
after the Police found two bags containing 833
West Coast Rock Lobster tails on them. The Police
followed a lead given by the public to the Department's
Inspectors in Kommetjie.
The two men, both in their early
twenties, appeared in Simonstown Court yesterday
(25 May 2006).
Earlier this week, officials
from the Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism retrieved nearly 1200 poached abalone
at Cape Receife, near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern
Cape.
Departmental officials were
on a road patrol when they noticed cars parked
near Cape Receife. Upon investigation approximately
20 divers were noticed on the beach and in the
water. Back up assistance was called from the
SAPS Abalone Task Team but before they arrived
the officials were spotted and the divers fled.
No arrests were made.
In a separate incident in Port
Elizabeth members of the SAPS Organized Crime
and Departmental inspectors arrested one suspect
for the possession of 9974 units of shucked abalone
weighing more than 815 kg. A vehicle was also
seized valued at R250 000. The suspect appeared
in court. He is also wanted in connection with
another case involving abalone in the Cradock
area.
Tourism Transformation Process
to be Moved a Notch Higher
THURSDAY, 25 MAY 2006: Marthinus van Schalkwyk,
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism,
will be outlining the Tourism BEE Charter Council’s
priorities in line with the Tourism Bee Charter
which was introduced earlier. At the event details
will be provided on intended interventions related
to the identified priority areas.
“The Minister also intends to
introduce the Tourism BEE Charter Council members,
whilst the Council’s Brand will also be unveiled.”
said Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s
spokesperson, J P Louw, as he announced the upcoming
occasion. The event will take place on Monday,
the 29th of May at the Reserve Bank Conference
Centre in Pretoria from 12h30 to 14h00.
The media briefing will outline
among others, how the Council intends to engage
the private sector, ensure that empowerment in
the tourism industry is broad based and that relevant
strategies and programmes are in place to guarantee
that most South Africans benefit from the 2010
Soccer World Cup.
