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Research Category: Water - Dr Terry Everson |
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Dr Terry Everson has been involved in research and community land rehabilitation
projects for the past twelve years – specifically in the Thukela Catchment Area,
where soil erosion is a major threat to water resources and land productivity.
She has implemented action-oriented research projects focusing on
catchment-based solutions and emphasising capacity building to assist
communities in better managing their water resources.
She completed her Doctorate while working at the Cathedral Peak Forestry
Research Station. In the light of necessary political and social changes in
South Africa, Dr Everson focused on the problems associated with degraded
catchments in the adjacent rural areas of Kwazulu-Natal. |
Currently at the University of KZN, Terry continues her research programmes in
community-based catchment management rehabilitation. She has been extensively
involved in LandCare at Okhombe, where she trained community members in
different soil erosion control techniques. Through her involvement, members of
the Okhombe Monitoring Group continue the rehabilitation work and monitor the
effects of previous projects.
Terry has been inspirational beyond the academic realm and works towards
bridging the gap between scientific research and the needs of communities. She
actively implements Integrated Water Resource Management by facilitating
community needs within decision-making processes. |
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Management and Policy: Water - Ms Mpharu Johanna Hloyi |
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Mpharu Hloyi is the first black woman in the history of the City of Cape Town to
manage the Scientific Services. Born in an era where most scientists and leaders
were on the other side of the racial and gender divide, she has emerged as a
woman of vision in an arena desperate for inspiration and direction from a
credible voice.
Mpharu has been in this position for less than a year and already the Department
has achieved positive results. Soon after her appointment, she consolidated the
five laboratories into three, namely Water, Analytical and Biological, which are
now running smoothly. Mpharu ensures that her staff members’ skills are
continuously developed, allowing them to reach their full potential. |
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Recently, a crisis arose around water quality, fuelled by media reports about
the presence of rat-tailed maggots in the drinking-water. Mpharu and her team of
scientists conducted intensive research, proving that the water was 100%
compliant with National Drinking Water Standards. The City of Cape Town and the
Department of Health were able to allay public fears.Her professional integrity,
belief in service excellence and her enthusiasm to succeed serve as guides in
strategic planning and decision-making processes. Mpharu’s colleagues are proud
to be associated with her. |
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Management and Policy: Sanitation - Ms Carol Zulu |
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Carol Zulu works at the Dr JS Moroka Municipality as Assistant Manager for Water
and Sanitation. Despite her many responsibilities, Carol creates a co-operative
working environment that ensures service delivery.
When Carol joined the Municipality in August 2004, she faced the challenge of
incomplete sanitation projects. The Municipality did not have the capacity to
fully perform the monitoring function, but Carol used a community-based
approach, which involved local emerging contractors, and completed the projects
by March 2005.
In this rural and historically disadvantaged area, water and sanitation backlogs
are a real challenge. Carol has assigned two officials to deal with complaints
around Water and Sanitation, thereby strengthening the relationship between the
community and the municipality.
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She is also involved in a feasibility study to bring sanitation to villages with
high water tables, considering financial resources and social acceptability
issues.
Carol is part of the team that will establish the municipal Peer
Educators/Health Promoters Consortium, using this programme to build in a Local
Economic Development factor. She is also the municipal project leader for the
Expanded Public Works Programme, aimed at eradicating poverty, creating
employment and skills development within the community.
Carol is focused, motivated and determined to make service delivery a priority.
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Management and Policy: Forestry - Ms Rally Moropa |
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Rally Moropa has been working in Occupational Health and Safety in Forestry
since 1997. Currently the Safety, Health, Environment and Community Manager of
the Forest Operations of Mondi Business Paper SA, she has pioneered a number of
community-based HIV peer educator programmes, rolled out to forestry operations
throughout SA. Run by the Project Support Association in the Natal Midlands, and
focusing on communities that supply labour to forestry contractors, they have
reached over 50 000 people.
Through the VUMISA team, Rally set about developing common standards and
approaches for health and safety. Her unwavering belief that togetherness can
create a better future has contributed to its success. |
The Phepha Programme, using interactive video, allows for active audience
participation. It has touched over 17 000 workers, resulting in Mondi’s
unmatched safety record in the industry.
Rally has unique skills like interacting with and understanding rural
communities. The success of her programmes is largely because of her energy,
enthusiasm, insight and leadership. Rally demonstrates a sincere compassion for
people. She inspires and motivates the example that she sets. She has united a
diverse team of people into a unit that is well able to address crucial aspects,
thereby impacting directly on the sustainability of the forestry industry.
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Education: Water - Ms Toni Belcher |
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Toni Belcher joined the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in 1991. In the
Directorate: Water Quality Management, she was responsible for the development
of fresh and marine water quality guidelines. When she was transferred to the
Institute for Water Quality Studies, Toni was instrumental in developing a
Catchment Water Resources Management Plan for the Zwartkops River. In 1998, she
received an MSc Degree in Environmental Management (cum laude) from the
University of Potchefstroom.
She then relocated to the Western Cape, where she was instrumental in developing
the River Health Programme. The Programme produced mechanisms to translate
difficult scientific concepts into material that can be enjoyed and understood
by the public. These include “Fun with River” (an educational booklet for
primary school children) and several “State of the Rivers” reports.
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Toni is a key member of the Cape Actions for People and the Environment
initiative. She is the task team leader for the Ecological Reserve Determination
Project and collaborates on many other projects.
Toni has inspired a new generation of water scientists to actively implement the
River Health Programme. Through her work in resource protection, she has
mentored a number of young scientists and she is an inspirational force to all. |
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Education: Forestry - Ms Neliswa Mbelwa |
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Neliswa Mbelwa is a founder and coordinator of Zanethembe, a non-profit
organisation, established in 2000. She has participated in many water-related
activities such as visits to water treatment plants in Cape Town and a
door-to-door survey to gauge the community’s awareness of water issues, access
to water and their responsibilities.
Neliswa organised a youth hiking trip in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens,
where the youth received horticultural training. Through Neliswa’s energy, a
medicinal herb programme has been initiated in the park. |
In 2004, members of the group were employed in the alien-clearing project
through South African National Parks. In 2005, Neliswa organised a public
workshop around water privatisation. As a leader, she continually strives to
provide skills development and training to encourage the youth to define and
achieve their own goals.
Neliswa also organises a craft programme which makes use of recycled materials.
The programme depends on sustainable profits and on marketing of the crafts to
relevant stakeholders. She has highlighted the need for accountability and good
project management practices.
Neliswa has encouraged the youth of her area to take charge of their destinies.
She has shown them that opportunities can be created out of challenges, and that
they can make a difference in their community. |
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Education: Sanitation - Ms Babalwa Eunah Koko |
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Babalwa Eunah Koko is a Junior Secondary level educator in Nqamakwe, near
Butterworth in the Eastern Cape, where she started a water awareness project in
2004. The project informs learners and their parents about the importance of
health, including education about cholera and other water-related diseases.
Babalwa formed a drama group, doing sketches about the importance of having
clean water, water conservation and the building of toilets. In 2004, the group
participated in the provincial competition hosted by the Department of Water
Affairs and Forestry. Her ‘Siyazakha’ project has learners, youth and parents
building their own toilets. She also visits the homesteads and gives advice on
disease prevention, by working closely with the local hospital. |
She has developed a working relationship with the Department of Health and
started the ‘Health School’s’ programme on a voluntary basis, using her own
money for trips. In this way, she has contributed to the lifestyle of her
community and, through her supportive ways and positive attitude, the community
members are eager to work together.
Through her perseverance, the results of this project are looking promising.
Babalwa is an excellent motivator and has mobilised the community to take the
initiative in caring for their own health.
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Community Development: Water - Mrs Louisa Johanna Hendricks |
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Louisa Hendricks has empathy for disadvantaged people and is enthusiastic about
helping them. After she had returned to her grandfather’s land in Carnarvon to
retire, she succeeded in improving the living conditions of her community, with
great effort and commitment.
In 1996, members of the community had taps installed in their homes... for the
first time! Louisa played a leading role in ensuring that momentous day. Through
her drive and energy, one of the most basic needs – water for domestic use – was
provided. Since then, she has been involved in ongoing community water supply
initiatives. |
The Independent Development Trust funded one such project. Building materials
were bought from a local business, and local people were employed to help with
the building activities, which ensured that the funds stayed in the community.
The project was completed in half the projected time, and only a portion of the
funds was used. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and the Department
of Public Works monitored the progress of the project.
Mrs Hendricks is actively involved in numerous community activities, such as the
‛Woman’s League Campaign against Child and Woman Abuse’, and many other church
activities. She is purpose-driven and always inspires people to rise above their
situation, especially in her disadvantaged community. |
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Community Development: Sanitation - Ms Malindi Chauke |
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Malindi Chauke has been involved in sanitation work since 2000. She holds a
Bachelor of Social Science Degree from the University of Natal. After
graduating, she joined the Philisisizwe Development Trust, where she was exposed
to the sanitation business.
In 2003, she joined the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, where she is
currently working as a Sanitation Officer. She has worked industriously in
changing the face of sanitation of the district. When she joined the
Municipality, the district had only implemented four sanitation projects since
the year 1998. To date, the district has ensured that 9241 households have been
served. |
Malindi’s strength is her ability to communicate with everyone – from ordinary
community members, izinduna, amakhosi, ward councillors and implementing agents
to all levels of government. She is always available to give advice and to
ensure that agents adhere to their contractual obligations.
Malindi admits that it was not always easy to deal with communities. She says,
however, ‛there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing an old lady crying and
thanking the municipality for giving her a toilet’. She is soft-spoken but fair
and straightforward if things are not done properly. Malindi ensures that every
household within the district has basic sanitation. |
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Community Development: Forestry - Ms Thamsanqa Elgia Zimu |
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Thamsanqa Elgia Zimu is a timber farmer. Her 2200-ha farm is located between
Bulwer and Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal. Under the mentorship of SAPPI, she
started from scratch to develop the farm successfully.
Thamsanqa strongly believes in employing local people. She provides nutritional
support to the community that surrounds the plantation and she allows community
members to collect firewood for their household needs. The farm is also a source
of employment where it is desperately needed.
A sense of ownership has made the community very responsible when it comes to
protecting the project. This was achieved through meetings with workers, the
nearby community, the local chief and councillors. The workers own 20% of the
project. This motivates them and creates a trusting relationship.
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Thamsanqa believes in an open management style – she discusses issues with her
workers. However, she is a fastidious manager who ensures the keeping of monthly
reports and records of attendance, daily activities and purchases. Workers are
thoroughly trained to protect their safety and health.
Despite her many challenges, Thamsanqa adopts a positive attitude. She is as a
well-informed, motivated and organised woman. She is making tremendous inroads
into the forestry industry, not only benefiting herself, but also her workers
and community. |