Public consultation on the draft White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biodiversity

A series of further physical and virtual consultation roadshows on the draft White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biodiversity will be co-hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and the provinces between 29 August and 09 September 2022.

The public consultation forms part of the public comment process launched through the publication of the draft White Paper by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, for public comment on 12 July 2022, for a period of 60 days.

The draft white paper emphasises partnerships and adopting participatory and consensus approaches throughout the biodiversity sector, which will promote meaningful participation and influence of all stakeholders, with communal rather than individual outcomes.

These shifts will provide a clear understanding of the intent and aspirations of South Africa, in terms of promoting conservation to achieve protection of the environment for present and future generations, as well as securing ecologically sustainable use to promote justifiable economic and social development.

Schedule for public consultation sessions

No.	Dates	Time	Stakeholders	Links
1.	Physical Session 01 September 2022		Kimberly, Horseshoe Inn	Physical session
2.	05 September 2022	09.00 – 16.00	Eastern Cape – confirmed	Physical session
3.	06 September 2022	09.00 – 12.00	Confirmed Buffering Mechanisms stakeholder & heritage stakeholders Traditional Healers CPAs of all 9 provinces Traditional Leaders via the NHTL and CONTRALESA	Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 361 368 872 857 Passcode: ZDSBXy
3.	06 September 2022	09.00 – 14.00	Confirmed Traditional Council Leaders, Traditional healers associations and other relevant stakeholders in Thabo Mofutsanyana District at Golden Gate.	Physical session
4.	07 September 2022	09.00 – 12.00	Confirmed Academic & Financial Institutions Sector supported by SANBI GMOs stakeholders & Science-Policy Interface Indaba Session with the Climate Change stakeholders All DFFE Branches Stewardships Stakeholders	Join on your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 352 206 765 868 Passcode: TFweYL
5.	08 September 2022	09.00 – 13.00	Confirmed Local Government Support - SALGA	Join on your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 365 959 020 563 Passcode: CZkwDb
6.	09September 2022	09.00 – 15.55	Confirmed - Garden Court OR Tambo People and Parks Forum	Physical session

Submission and enquiries

Stakeholders unable to attend the sessions are invited to submit written comments on the draft white paper by 10 September 2022 to any of the following addresses:

By post to:

The Director-General: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Attention: Dr Tsepang Makholela
Private Bag X447
Pretoria
0001

By hand at:
Reception,
Environment House,
473 Steve Biko Road,
Arcadia
Pretoria
0083

By e-mail: whitepaper@dffe.gov.za

Comments received after the closing date may not be considered.

Enquiries

Enquiries in connection with the draft white paper:
Khuthadzo Mahamba
Cell: 066 115 8144
E-mail: whitepaper@dffe.gov.za

For media enquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871