The importance of striking a balance between development and conservation was stressed by the MEC of the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mr Pitsi Moloto, in Louis Trichardt on Thursday, 18 August.

Delivering the keynote address at the launch of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Moloto said preserving a balance between development and the environment should also take culture and tradition into account, without which there could not be a healthy community. He said all stakeholders (in development and in conservation) were important and should continue to talk to each other.

“Honest communication is essential to develop a clear action plan,” he said. He also stressed the importance of education, which, he said, was a precondition for all development.

The launch, which was staged at the Ferdie Beyers Hall in Louis Trichardt, was attended by a large audience, which, together with government officials, included high-profile guests from both the business and environmental conservation fraternities.

Moloto reminded all stakeholders that the present generation has earth and all its resources in trust for coming generations. “We need to develop the economy. At the same time, we should look after the environment. We should live today in such a way that future generations will have clean water and clean air. In this, all stakeholders are important. In working together, we can also do more to develop in a responsible way,” he said.

He thanked learners from Titirheleni Primary School, who staged a lively presentation of affordable ways to utilize solar energy and “paper bricks.”

“We all should be such active citizens,” he said.

A senior official from the Department of Environmental Affairs in Pretoria, Mr Kalie Naudé, presented the MEC with a framed certificate of acknowledgement from UNESCO, confering the international biosphere reserve status on Vhembe.

The chairperson of the Vhembe Biosphere, Mr John Rosmarin, explained the biosphere concept and its dynamics which have exciting advantages for surrounding communities. He paid tribute to a number of individuals whose altruistic efforts had made the biosphere recognition possible. He paid special tribute to the late chief Phumulani Kutama for his positive approach to the biosphere concept.

Dr Antoaneta Letsoalo, in charge of research and planning in the department, is scheduled to speak on climate change and arrangements for the 17th international Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP 17), to be hosted from November 28 to December 09 this year in Durban. This presents an opportunity for the Limpopo Province to display its strategy to mitigate the threats of climate change and facilitate the creation of “green jobs” through the development of a Green Economy Plan. This strategy will be unveiled during the Limpopo Climate Change Summit, which is envisaged to take place from October 13-14. The overall objective of the summit is to raise awareness on climate change effects among the public.

Other role players on the programme were Ms. Maylene Broderick, HOD of the department (LEDET), Chief S E Chauke, chairperson of the Vhembe House of Traditional Leaders, and Cllr Maria Tamaga, Speaker of the Blouberg Local Municipality. The Speaker of the Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Caroline Mahasela, was the programme director. Makhado Municipality’s acting mayor, Cllr M S Sinyosi, extended a welcome to all the guests.