South Africa wants to create an awareness amongst all communities residing in the vicinity of its borders, to take care of the environment.
Deputy water and environmental affairs minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi and Zimbabwean environmental minister Francis Nhema on Friday, October 16 launched an awareness campaign at the Beit Bridge border post.
The Clean-Up Campaign is the first of its kind and is not limited to cleaning the borders, said Mabudafhasi.
She said it would also be used to highlight other critical environmental issues, including climate change, air quality and the need for the continent to forge strong links in matters relating to sustainable development. The two will also use the platform to create awareness about xenophobia.
"We are starting to create awareness among communities residing in the vicinity of all our borders. This is being done in partnership with countries with which we share borders," said Mabudafhasi.
The campaign, she went on, will be rolled out to other countries sharing borders with SA, including Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia and Mozambique.
The deputy minister further pointed out the need for the continent to adopt a common position at the forthcoming talks on climate change which will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
"As the most vulnerable continent we are have to speak with one voice. We are among the ones likely to bear the brunt of climate change the most. Our continent is one of the areas where the adverse effects will be felt." - BuaNews
