Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Pioneer Foods in R2,3 million sustainability development partnership

Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality demonstrated its clear intentions of its commitment to sustainable development, small business support and development and the creation of jobs when a R2,3 million partnership with the food company, Pioneer Foods was launched at an event held at the City Hall today, January 22, 2014.

The partnership is based on areas of Biodiversity, Economic Development and job creation.

Present at the event held at the City Hall was NMBM Acting Executive Mayor Councillor Lobishe and Pioneer Foods CEO Phil Roux. Representatives from World Wildlife Fund-SA (WWF) which is also part of the partnership as an implementing agent and advisory body were present.

The partnership called People Working for the Environment Project involves developing small land management businesses in impoverished rural, urban and pre-urban areas to provide services to key conservation sites. The sites will include Swartkops River, van der Kemp’s Kloof and Van Stadens.

The selected sites will be signed into a legally binding conservation agreement that will require the landowner or municipality to carry out land management activities as laid out in the property’s Land Management Plan. Land management activities such as alien clearing, preparation of firebreaks and erosion control will be done.

The project will use small businesses to develop small land management businesses. The businesses will then employ people from the same areas where the project is running. The work done will create sustainable land and management benefits for the City.

The benefits will range from reducing fire risks and other natural disasters like flooding to improving water quality and flow. It will also improve soil quality and conserving of our natural heritage.

Speaking at the event visibly excited Acting Executive Mayor, Councillor Lobishe said: “The partnership confirms the confidence the private sector has in the ability of this municipality”.

She said the NMBM was excited about the partnership because it will not only benefit the present generation.

“This partnership guarantees us that we will leave a better place for our children and grandchildren. The members of the public and the media must watch the space, an accelerated effort will be made this year on issues of environment and agriculture,” said Councillor Lobishe.

The project pilot phase has already started with one company already working. The company has employed 11 people who each support a family of approximately five people.

“When we talk about sustainable economic development we mean it. This is a true reflection of that and our people are the beneficiaries of that as promised,” Councillor Lobishe added.