Dept launches R32m plan for coastal job creation and environmental care

MAKING South Africa’s coastline more environmentally friendly, boosting tourism, and creating jobs are the aims and objectives of the Working for the Coast (WftC) Programme that was launched by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) over the weekend.

- SIPHO JACK

Deputy Minister Narend Singh indicated at the launch held in Durban that R 32 million had been earmarked to make the programme actionable.

According to Singh, the programme has already created 1,274 jobs within the eThekwini area, which signals a strong commitment to both employment and coastal protection.

The WftC Programme, established under the Integrated Coastal Management Act of 2008, aims to address the diverse environmental challenges affecting South Africa's coastal regions.

From Amanzimtoti to Umgababa, as well as from the Bluff to Umhlanga, participants are actively engaged in numerous tasks that uphold the integrity of ecologically sensitive areas.

“The main objectives of the programme are job creation, environmental management practices, and strengthening support for Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs),” Singh announced.