MODJADJI - The Limpopo Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, through the Working for Water Programme, has launched an all-out attack on invasive alien plants that deplete South Africa’s water reserves. This was announced during Weed Buster Week, which started on Monday.

The launch took place at the Mandela Barloworld Agricultural High School at Modjadji village on Tuesday.

Weed Buster Week is a national initiative that aims to strengthen the public’s attitude and behavior towards the problem of invasive alien plants. Water Affairs Spokesperson Mr Avhashoni Magada said the theme for this year’s celebration is Safeguarding our Natural Heritage.

He said that the South African Weed Buster Week is the annual focus on the Working for Water Programme’s ongoing programme to manage and contain invasive alien plants (IAPs). Magada said the South African Weed Buster Week is also linked to similar initiatives in Australia and New Zealand, and to the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP).

“Weed Buster Week wants people to be aware of the problem of invasive plants and get them to voluntarily and proactively help to contain the damage these plants will inflict on our water security, productive use of land, ecological functioning of natural systems, and other impacts. We also want to nurture an appreciation for indigenous and non-invasive plants,” he said.

According to him, alien plants have invaded over 10 million hectares of South Africa – or 8% of the land – and have a projected doubling period of as little as 15 years. “They threaten South Africa’s rich biodiversity by competing for water, light, space and nutrients – to the detriment of our indigenous flora and water reserves,” he added.

“Over 1 million hectares of invasive alien plants have been cleared over the past eight years, which has yielded an estimated release of 48 – 56 million cubic meters of additional water for alternative uses annually,” he said. “In addition, approximately 20 000 previously unemployed beneficiaries receive gainful employment and training through the programme annually,” he said.