By Kopano Dibakwane
United Nations special rapporteur, Dr Marcos Orellana, met with representatives from Mpumalanga provincial government at Komati power station-near Middleburg, as part of his visit to South Africa.
MEC Busi Shiba from the department of agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs(DARDLEA), led the provincial delegation.
DARDLEA said that Dr Orellana and his team are on a mission to look into sound waste management plans, which include the disposal of harzadous substances and the effects on human rights, with the aim to protect the health and wellbeing of citizens, including the environment.
” DARDLEA, health, human settlements, co-operative governance and traditional affairs, made presentations on there chemicals and waste avoidance, reduction, re-use, recycle, recovery and disposal. DARDLEA also presented on landfills, compliance and air quality monitoring.
” The move from coal to alternative power generation or source of energy, as long a long term goal was emphasised, including the importance of skilling and re-skilling the current workforce to start shifting the mindset towards renewable energy and/or just energy transition (JET),” said DARDLEA in a statement.
It was also reported that Orellana has already met with national departments and he will compile a report on the overall findings, following his visit to other provinces such as Kwazulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
