Pretoria - Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, is expected to conclude her official visit to Japan tomorrow, where she had an opportunity to share lessons on water resource management.
Mabudafhasi's visit followed an invitation from the Japan government to exchange ideas on water resource management, waste management, climate change and biodiversity within the context of strengthening bilateral relations and exploring possible future areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The department reported that during an intensive week-long official visit, Mabudafhasi met with various government and private sector institutions and deliberated on issues pertaining to climate change mitigation and adaptation, water resource management, recycling, biodiversity, opportunities for Japanese businesses in eco-friendly related technology and infrastructure, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) programmes in South Africa.
JICA has trained many officials from South Africa on water resource management.
Mabudafhasi also embarked on a tour to the Oyama Chemical company, which produces textiles from recycled PET bottles. The fabric / textile is used to manufacture automobile materials, including seat back material, seat cloth, sun visors, air filters and floor carpet and clothes.
"It is envisaged that if such a recycling model can be used in South Africa, it will continue to inculcate a culture of waste management, turning waste into wealth, skills development and to create more jobs," the department said, noting that Mabudafhasi also visited the Kosuzume water purification plant and Isogo Thermal Power Plant.
The major part of the deputy minister's official visit was to mobilise Japan to support South Africa towards the 17th United Nations Frame work Convention on Climate Change (COP 17) to be held in Durban.
The outcome was a commitment by the Japan Bank of International Cooperation to fund South African green economy projects that are favourable to impact on the preservation of the global environment, such as significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
