According to an outdated notion, the Department of Environmental Affairs conserves things that are endearing, but useless. Thus, areas where these "cute things" can be kept are demarcated so that "real life" can continue elsewhere.
However, the worldwide impact of environmental degradation has focused the spotlight on the fact that environmental affairs, along with forestry and fisheries, play a key role in realising human rights.
This Department, therefore, needs to balance the interests of humans and nature, humans and humans as well as the present and the future. In this context, the recent initiatives to promote the carriers of indigenous knowledge and small-scale fisheries are positive.
The role that this Department's entities fulfil is of immeasurable value. Sanparks, the South African Weather Service, the Isimangaliso Wetland Park and the SANBI Botanical Gardens ensure that life, including human life, on earth is possible.
For this reason, it is disappointing that certain entities' audit reports have deteriorated in comparison to last year's.
In the FF Plus's view, this Department offers a ray of hope in the South African context even though alarm bells are ringing.
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