Prospecting in the Madimbo Corridor to be Halted. (20 March, 1996)

Dr Dawie de Villiers, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, has expressed his whole-hearted support for the step taken by Northern Province MEC for Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Me Maris-Stella Sexwale-Mabitje, to halt diamond prospecting in the Madimbo Corridor. Me Sexwale-Mabitje halted prospecting in terms of Section 31 (A) of the Environmental Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989), when it became apparent that the Madimbu Diamond Company intended to proceed with prospecting activities despite the fact that the appeal lodged by the National Parks Board is still pending.

The Director-General of the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs still has to respond to the National Parks Board's appeal. In the meantime all stakeholders should consult widely and adopt those land-use options that would ensure the sustainable development of this pristine area in the long term. This will also provide an opportunity to take into consideration the land restitution claims made by local communities.

Dr de Villiers has confirmed his commitment to the conservation of the Madimbo Corridor on various occasions in the past. He also stated that this is a prime example of how the Government of National Unity and provincial authorities can co-operate to the benefit of the environment. He further said that it is encouraging that the Northern Province is taking such a firm stand to protect the Madimbo Corridor as this ecologically sensitive area is home to various vulnerable species of wild fauna and flora. Through this step, South Africa is also honouring its international commitments with regard to the Bonn Convention (Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Wild Animals), the Ramsar Convention (Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat) and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, South Africa.