Monday (5 June) marked World Environment Day (WED), which was celebrated locally with a Macassar Beach clean-up attended by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy.
To commemorate WED, which is aimed at seeking innovative ways to end plastic pollution, Creecy partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and embarked on a tour of two recycling plants located in Kraaifontein and Blackheath Industrial. The tour concluded with the mid-morning beach clean which, according to a community activist and religious leader, was apparently just a show as nothing was done to address the actual environmental concerns in the local community.
Mark Baatjies dubbed Creecy’s visit a flop from start to finish. “On Sunday (4 June), we had a briefing with personnel from Minister Creecy’s office,” he related, “and we explained that the issue with pollution in the ocean actually existed at the rivers that mouths into the ocean, such as the Eerste and Kuils rivers.”
Baatjies reckoned that for the Minister’s office the initiative was all about the spotlight and a photo opportunity for Creecy on the beach, rather than being about addressing the issues.
“I really thought this minister would listen to all our complaints as a community, but nothing. The community was not even aware of her visit. A message was sent out over the weekend, but no-one was made aware of the visit timeously.”
He alsoclaimed that people from outside were brought in to come and do the clean-up and no locals were invited to participate. “It was sad to see that Macassar residents were not part of the initiative.”
Ward 109 councillor Peter Helfrich confirmed he had received phone calls from residents who bemoaned the Minister’s visit, which he on the contrary welcomed.
“I think it was a needed visit and important clean-up. If anyone has any issues regarding pollution and any other environmental issues, then I urge them to address the matter in a written letter submitted to Minister Creecy,” he said.
