Water quality concerns at Loskop Dam

Pretoria - Although there are low levels of Escherichia coli, known as E. coli in Loskop Dam, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has warned that water quality in the dam is deteriorating fast.

A two-year study of the quality of irrigation water from Loskop Dam and its effect on crop production in the Groblersdal area has shown low levels of E. coli and no detectable levels of other disease-causing bacteria.

The dam provides water to the Loskop Irrigation Board situated downstream - one of the largest irrigation schemes in South Africa.

The main crops produced in the irrigation area and analysed by the research team include fresh produce, maize, citrus, grapes and wheat.

CSIR limnologist Dr Paul Oberholster warned that Loskop Dam's water quality is deteriorating fast, with permanent blooms of cyanobacteria visible on the surface water throughout the year since 2008.

According to a research report from the CSIR and the University of Stellenbosch, to date none of these nuisance and potentially toxic cyanobacteria had been detected in the irrigation canal water or on irrigated crops.

A more immediate problem and cause for concern is the proliferation of nuisance filamentous algae, with strings up to 15 metres long, caused by the high levels of nutrient enrichment detected in the canals.

According to Oberholster, the filamentous macroalgae decrease the carrying capacity of the canals.

"Detached algae continuously drift down the canals, clogging the control gates and crop sprayers causing economical losses. The irrigation board then has to bear the costs of removing these nuisance algae," said Oberholster.

Diek Engelbrecht, chairperson of the Loskop Irrigation Board (LIB) which funded the study, said while they are relieved about the results from the study in the short term, they are still concerned as the dam's water quality problems and the causes thereof have not been resolved.

"Loskop Dam is fed by the heavily contaminated Olifants River. Over the past 15 years, the dam has had a history of isolated incidents of fish mortality, which in recent years has escalated and is believed to be linked to crocodile mortalities and a decline in the crocodile population."

Since the dam's construction in 1938, it has played an important role in supplying irrigation water to the agriculture sector.

Currently, the dam supports an export market to the European Union valued at R1 billion a year.

The LIB provides irrigation water to 16 000 hectares of agricultural land by means of irrigation channels with a total length of more than 550 kilometres. - BuaNews

Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System
Date: 30 Mar 2011
Title: Water quality concerns at Loskop Dam
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Nedbank pioneers Africa's the first wind powered bank branch

Nedbank has established Africa’s first partially wind-powered bank branch in the area of Du Noon in the Western Cape. As Africa’s first carbon neutral financial institution, Nedbank is furthering this vision by applying wind powered technology in banking. This is one of the many green initiatives that the bank has implemented in its continuous efforts to create a sustainable model for doing business.

Powered by a Kestrel e300i 1kW wind turbine which converts wind energy into electricity, renewable clean energy is supplied to the branch and reduces the consumption of electricity from the national grid. In addition, clean energy is stored to supply the branch during any power failures, ensuring business continuity.
“As an organisation that is totally committed to championing green issues and promoting sustainability throughout our operations, we are excited about the potential for wind energy power to become a significant source of renewable energy, especially in the Western Cape where there is an obvious abundance of wind,” says Ciko Thomas, Managing Executive for Consumer Banking.

As a result of the installation of the wind turbine, this pilot site is predicted to enjoy a reduction of up to 35% in its electricity bill thanks to the production of an average of 7.8kWh of wind-powered electricity per day. In the case of a power failure the branch will continue to maintain its power through a battery tank for at least two hours. It will further save 2.7 tons of greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere every year and 2.8 tons of coal from being burned every year.

“This highly innovative wind-powered initiative is not only good for the environment, but it also cuts electricity consumption costs and reduces pressure on Eskom’s national grid network,” explains Thomas.
Significantly, wind power consumes no fuel and emits no air pollution, unlike traditional fossil fuel power sources.
“As we strive to lead as a green and caring bank we are continually looking for ways to extend this positioning and encouraging environmentally-friendly and sustainable business practices throughout South Africa.”
Nedbank became Africa’s first carbon neutral financial organisation in 2009 and maintained its carbon neutrality in 2010.

Issued by: Nedbank Group Communications
Sizwekazi Jekwa
Senior Communications Manager
011294 1306
Sizwekazij@nedbank.co.za

Nedbank goes beyond Earth Hour to fight global warming 365 days a year

Nedbank once again helped to drive climate change awareness by supporting Earth Hour on the 26^th March 2011 in solidarity with millions of people across the world. As a leader in green initiatives Nedbank will be supporting Earth Hour through various activities including switching off the lights at all campus sites and various regional offices and branches, running a competition for staff and clients, and co-hosting the Earth Hour 2011 celebrations in Soweto with WWF-South Africa.

This year’s celebration took the form of a concert that took place in Orlando West, Soweto on Saturday, March 26 from 20h30 with a few local artists that dazzled the crowd including the Bala brothers , Marcus & Viccus Visser and Soweto Gospel Choir.

 “As a carbon neutral bank we are cognisant of our usage of natural resources and so continue to actively try and reduce electricity usage throughout the year and encourage our customers and suppliers to do the same. This initiative further dovetails into our other initiatives that we are currently doing in going green. We further strive to ensure that most lights at sites are switched off at night with only minimum lighting being utilised for essential requirements.” says Maseda Ratshikuni, Head of Cause Marketing at the Nedbank Group.

Nedbank also encouraged members of the public to participate in the initiative by running competitions that invite them  to observe Earth Hour and pledge to fulfil various energy-saving activities. The competition was aimed at encouraging all stakeholders, both individuals and businesses, to turn off their lights during Earth Hour between 20h30 and 21h30 on Saturday 26^th March 2010 and make an ongoing change beyond Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is currently the largest voluntary participation climate change initiative in the world with millions of people across the world taking part. The initiative started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Now every year, global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stand in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the day. Earth Hour 2010 was hugely successful r with a record 128 countries and territories joining the global display of climate action.

During 2010, the group cut its electricity consumption per fulltime employee by an impressive 13%. Intensive efforts are underway to further reduce this consumption.

“If we add all of our energy-saving actions together, not just for one hour but throughout the year, there will be a brighter future for everyone,” said Ratshikuni.

In continuing its efforts beyond Earth Hour Nedbank head office switches off its lights generally with minimum lighting used for security reasons only after hours 365 days a year!

                                                                                       Ends

Note to Editors:

Nedbank Group’s commitment to Sustainability

In 2009, Nedbank Group became the first financial services organisation on the African continent to achieve carbon neutrality. Not only did this achievement cement the group’s reputation as a bank committed to environmental issues, it also signaled the beginning of the next stage of Nedbank Group’s ongoing sustainability journey.

While its ‘green’ commitment is a core element of this journey, the group takes an integrated approach that combines the four pillars of environmental, social, economic and cultural sustainability to ensure that its sustainability efforts deliver the broadest possible benefits for its stakeholders, the environment, and the communities in which it operates. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated and enhanced by the many awards earned by the group as well as its inclusion and participation in an array of indices and environmental initiatives, including:

·         Equator Principles – first African financial services signatory.

·         Financial Times Sustainability Awards - Emerging Markets Sustainable Bank of the Year for Middle East and Africa in 2010

·         The Dow Jones Sustainability Index – one of only 25 banks worldwide and three companies with JSE primary listings included.

·         Global 1000 Sustainable Performance Leaders Index –third highest ranked South African company.

·         UNEP FI – signatory to the official statement on Climate Change and participant in various sub-committees

Nedbank Group’s other sustainability awards, memberships, partnerships and indices include:

·         The JSE SRI Index

·         South African Carbon Disclosure Project Leadership Index

·         Ernst & Young Excellence in Sustainability Reporting

·         Carbon Disclosure Project

·         WWF Conservation Partnership

·         The Prince’s Rainforests Project

·         The Climate Neutral Network

·         United Nations Global Compact – Caring for Climate Programme

·         National Business Initiative Climate Change Working Group

·         National Energy Efficiency Accord

·         Banking Association of South Africa: Sustainable Finance Committee UNISA Climate Change Advisory Committee

Issued on behalf of:        Nedbank

Sizwekazi Jekwa

Senior Communications Manager

011294 1306

                                            Sizwekazij@nedbank.co.za

World Water Day - March 22

World Water Day is observed on March 22 since 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared March 22 as World Day for Water^[1].

This day was first formally proposed in Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Observance began in 1993 and has grown significantly ever since.

The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world's water resources. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Water Day. Since its inception in 2003, UN-Water has been responsible for selecting the theme, messages and lead UN agency for the World Day for Water.

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We all take the one thing granted. We assume it will rain again. We assume there will always be water again when we open the tap. All the assumptions we make could fail us soon. Then we will have to tap our water from the ocean, which is not only expensive, but we have also polluted this resource beyond our wildest imagination. Acid spills into water tables due to mining opp-orations is becoming all to familiar and more and more acceptable. 

In Europe, where draw our labor laws from, when this happens the economy will come to a abrupt halt. In South Africa we plead stupidity and start throwing rocks at Taxi commuters. We will tear our Educational Institutions down and burn the Capital Gain Equipment we earn our living with, but we do not look out for the one thing we need to survive on planet Earth.

Not Coool at All

by Petrus Viviers      -

Biogas project provides cheaper alternative for villagers

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Over 30 million households in China have biogas digesters that convert wastes into clean-burning fuel. Biogas accounts for about 1.2% of China’s total energy use, mostly replacing biomass and fossil fuels used for cooking in rural households. Biogas has 12 significant environmental and social benefits. (read more)

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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System
Date: 05 Mar 2011
Title: Biogas project provides cheaper alternative for villagers
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By Orlando Chauke

Giyani - A Limpopo community project that turns cow dung into biogas has helped reduce high electricity fees for poor villagers.

The Mpfuneko (Solution) project in Gawula village near Giyani collects cow dung from local cattle owners and processes it into usable gas, which is sold to the locals at a low price.

"We are so happy with the project because even those who are unemployed are able to put away some money and pay for the biogas," said happy customer Josephine Simango.

Simango said the project has enabled her to cook for her children using a biogas stove instead of firewood, which is normally collected in snake-infested bushes.

Founding project manager Jotte van Ierland, who is originally from the Netherlands, said the technology was very affordable.

"We sign a contract with a minimum of three households that are in close proximity and allow them to use an unlimited supply of the gas for a collective amount of R125 per month," said van Ierland.

He said a biogas digester is installed that converts manure into energy and supplies all three households with biogas via a pipeline. The biogas digester heats up the cow dung to a certain degree, at which point it starts producing gas.

The project was mainly suited to Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng, which reach high temperatures during summer.

The project was initiated in 2007 and aimed at promoting socio-economic development in rural areas.

"Cattle owners benefit by contributing cow dung in return for a 25% share in the project. The project also provides employment and skills that locals need to empower themselves," van Ierland said.

Ten people were employed in the project so far. However, the future of the project is uncertain.

"We only have one church in the Netherlands sponsoring the project. Their sponsorship contract lapses next month and if we don't get another sponsor we might be in trouble," said van Ierland, adding that even if the project came to an end, he would continue living in South Africa as he planned to register for a PhD in biogas technology. - BuaNews

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Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Biogas originates from biogenic material and is a type of biofuel. Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biodegradable materials such as biomass, manure, sewage, municipal waste, green waste, plant material and energy crops.^[1] This type of biogas comprises primarily methane and carbon dioxide. Other types of gas generated by use of biomass is wood gas, which is created by gasification of wood or other biomass. This type of gas consist primarily of nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, with trace amounts of methane.

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Elephant Coast of South Africa

Embark on a road trip hit the N2 North of Durban and swing through the rolling cane fields of Zululand until you cross the iMfolozi river. You have crossed over into the most diverse and dynamic life style in the World. From Industries in Mtubatuba to buzzing shoppers in Hluhluwe and the World Famous Wetlands on the East coast of Africa. The tall vegetated sand dunes constructed over 25 000 years of natural sculpturing with a dwell angle no man can mach.

Once vegetation looses its grip on these sandy slopes the wither rain soon starts a slide. Rapidly washing the dune into the low lying Wetlands. Casting dry spell over the region for years to come because the cloud forming moist ocean air passes right over until it diffuses against the mountains of the dragon (Drakens Berg).

The Elephant Coast offers many activities to do. From cycling, horse back riding, diving to Hippo and Croc Tours.

Hlhuhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve
At the foothills of the majestic almost mountain range lies the valleys teeming with wildlife. As you turn left you entered the ancestral hunting grounds of great Zulu Kings, of whom Shaka was the most famous. Proclaimed in the wake of over utilization trying to buy respect back from a culture that had not only endeavor the senseless slaughter of many wildlife species but the needless destruction of the most sacred animal totem, The Zebra.

Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park
Embraced by four other eco systems the wetlands is the most important yet all five will function together none with out the other. Untouched natural habitats for centuries that past and a safe haven to many migrating and resident species. Void of hard habitat destruction this is not a venue for five star tourism, but clearly a destination for the wild at heart. This is not a man made biosphere. This is an ancient functioning Eco System divided by five. Eastern Shores, Western Shores, Estuary, Lake and Marine Reserve.

Do not miss this destination on your next Safari ...


For A five day Iternary with various price options please Call: 081 342 7371 or
petrusviv@gmail.com
petrus@forafrica.co.za
info@stlucia.org.za
For Africa


By Petrus Viviers