PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NOTICE

NOTICE OF SCOPING AND INVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PUBLIC

PARTICIPATION MEETING FOR

THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A FULLY FUNCTIONAL, SELF-

EFFICIENT, SMART EDUTAINMENT CENTRE THAT WILL BE BUILT OVER THE
KLIP RIVER WETLAND WHICH WILL INCREASE REVENUE AND CREATE A
SAFE SPACE FOR LOCALS TO ENJOY THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Purpose of the Notice:

The project aims to develop a fully functional, self-sufficient, smart edutainment

centre that will develop the area of SOWETO by increasing revenue and increasing
investors as well as providing a safe space for locals to enjoy the neighbourhood.

Date of Publication: 01 October 2022

WML Reference: FF66/YTL/0001/2022

EIA Reference: TY47/011/2022

Description of the Development:

The Edutainment centre will be built over the Klip River wetland. The centre will
further create a “natural” aquarium in the form of a lake. This will be a manmade
lake. Fish species such as angling fish species will be introduced with caution
ensuring that the endemic bull frog is not harmed. Solar Panels will also be included
as part of the development. Water stored in the lake will be distributed throughout
the centre.

Location of the Development:

SOWETO (co-ordinates)

Relevant Legislation:
Section 24 of Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) National
Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998

Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 Conservation of

Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983

National Water Act 36 of 1998 National

Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999

NEM Biodiversity Act Minerals and Petroleum

Resources Act, 1983 (Act No. 28 of 2002)

National Forest Act, 1998 (No.84 of 1998) Nature and Environmental

Conservation Ordinance, 1974 (No.19 of 1974)

National Energy Act, 2008 (Act 34 of 2008)

Agenda 21- Action Plan for sustainable development of the Department of

Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) 1998

The Ramsar Convention, 1971 and the Wetland Conservation Programme (DEAT)
as well as the National Wetland Rehabilitation Initiative (DEAT, 2000)

License Application:

Water use License authorization Environmental

Authorisation

Nature of the Activity:

Name of Applicant:

EnviroSpecialists Global has been appointed as the Environmental Assessment

Practitioners to undertake this process

YOU ARE INVITATED TO PARTAKE IN THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING

REVIEW OF THIS APPLICATION
Date of Public Meeting:

1 December 2022

VENUE:

Plot, 179 2nd St, West Rand AH, Westonaria, South Africa, Gauteng

TIME:

10h00

IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY- ZOOM LINK WILL BE SENT AFTER

REGISTRATION

Should you or your organisation have any comments or queries regarding this
project or the documentation, or if you would like to participate in the process and be
notified of further opportunities to provide comment, please ensure that you register
as an I&AP and provide your comment by writing or email to any of the following
consultants by no later than 1 November 2022:

Maite Modiba Mafodi Mbau Mondli Mchunu

Reneilwe Kadima

Tel: 010 765 1234 email: info@envirospecialistsglobal.co.za

Please note that I&APs must provide their name, contact details (postal address,
telephone, fax numbers and email address) and an indication of any direct business,
financial, personal, or other interest they may have in the approval or refusal of this
application. In addition, the application Reference Number FF66/YTL/0001/2022
AND FF66/YTL/0001/2022 must be quoted in all correspondence.

Any other relevant in Date of Public Meeting Name of Applicant Location

Nature of the activity application formation pertaining to the notice
(commenting and public review of the documents for a period of 30 days from
the 1st of June to the 30th of June 2019:
How to register as an I&AP who to contact, when, how and where:

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NOTICE TRANSLATED TO SESOTHO

TSEBISO EA SKOPING LE TEKOLOSO EA TŠEBELETSO EA TIKOLOGO

SEBOKA SA PHATLALATSO EA SECHABA BAKENG SA

KHAHISO EA KHAHISO E SEBELISANG KA FELLO, E IKUTLANG, E SMART

EDUTAINMENT CENTRE E TLA AHA HO PHAHAMA MOKHOBONG OA KLIP
RIVER O TLA EKETSA CHELETSO LE HO BJA SEBAKA SA BOLOKEHI HO
BATHO BA SEBAKA HO THABELA BAAHISELLO.

Sepheo sa Tsebiso:

Morero ona o rerile ho hlahisa setsi sa thuto se sebetsang ka botlalo, se ikemelang,

se bohlale se tla ntshetsa pele sebaka sa SOWETO ka ho eketsa lekeno le ho
eketsa batsetedi hammoho le ho fana ka sebaka se bolokehileng bakeng sa baahi
ba moo ho natefeloa ke boahisani.

Letsatsi la Phatlalatso: 01 Mphalane 2022

Tšebeliso ea WML: FF66/YTL/0001/2022

Tlhaloso ea EIA: TY47/011/2022

Tlhaloso ea Ntlafatso:

Setsi sa Edutainment se tla ahoa holim'a mokhoabo oa Klip River. Setsi se tla
tsoela pele ho theha "aquarium" ea tlhaho ka mokhoa oa letša. Lena e tla ba
letša le entsoeng ke batho. Mefuta ea litlhapi joalo ka mefuta ea li-angling fish
e tla hlahisoa ka tlhokomeliso ho netefatsa hore senqanqane sa endemic bull
frog ha se tsoe kotsi. Li-Solar Panel le tsona li tla kenyelletsoa e le karolo ea
ntlafatso. Metsi a bolokiloeng ka letšeng a tla ajoa hohle setsing.

Sebaka sa Ntlafatso:

Plot, 179 2nd St, West Rand AH, Westonaria, South Africa, Gauteng
Melao e Amanang:

Karolo ea 24 ea Molaotheo oa Rephaboliki ea Afrika Boroa (1996) Molao oa Naha

oa Taolo ea Tikoloho oa 107 oa 1998

Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 Conservation of Agricultural

Resources Act 43 of 1983

Molao oa Naha oa Metsi oa 36 oa 1998, Molao oa 25 oa 1999

NEM Biodiversity Act Molao wa Mehloli ya Diminerale le Petroleum, 1983 (Molao wa

28 wa 2002)

Molao oa Naha oa Meru, oa 1998 (No.84 oa 1998) Molao oa Paballo ea Tlhaho le

Tikoloho, 1974 (No.19 ea 1974)

National Energy Act, 2008 (Molao 34 oa 2008)

Lenaneo la 21- Leano la Tshebetso bakeng sa ntshetsopele ya moshwelella ya

Lefapha la Merero ya Tikoloho le Bohahlaudi (DEAT) 1998

Kopano ya Ramsar, 1971 le Lenaneo la Paballo ya Melawa (DEAT) hammoho le

Leano la Naha la Tsosoloso ya Mokgwabo (DEAT, 2000)

Kopo ea laesense:

Tumello ea Laesense ea tšebeliso ea metsi Tumello ea Tikoloho

Mofuta oa Ketsahalo:

Lebitso la Mokopi:

EnviroSpecialists Global e khethiloe e le Litsebi tsa Tekolo ea Tikoloho ho etsa

ts'ebetso ena.

O MEMOTSOA HO KENYA KA PELE HLAHLOBO YA SEBOKA SA SEBAKA SA

SECHABA KA KOPO ENA.
Letsatsi la Kopano ea Phatlalatsa:

La 1 Tšitoe 2022

VENUE:

1 Klip River Park, Klipriviersberg, Johannesburg South

NAKO:

10h00

HAEBA U LAKATSA HO TLOHA KA MONA- ZOOM LINK E TLA ROMETSOA KA

MOR'A HO INGOLISA.

Haeba uena kapa mokhatlo oa hau le na le maikutlo kapa lipotso mabapi le projeke
ena kapa litokomane, kapa haeba le rata ho kenya letsoho tšebetsong le ho tsebisoa
ka menyetla e meng ea ho fana ka maikutlo, ka kopo netefatsa hore o ingolisa joalo
ka I&AP mme o fane ka maikutlo a hau ka ho ngola kapa lengolo-tsoibila ho mang
kapa mang oa baeletsi ba latelang pele ho la 1 Pulungoana 2022:

Maite Modiba Mafodi Mbau Mondli Mchunu Reneilwe Kadima

Mohala: 010 765 1234 imeile: info@envirospecialistsglobal.co.za

Ka kopo hlokomela hore I&APs e tlameha ho fana ka mabitso a bona, lintlha tsa
puisano (aterese ea poso, mohala, linomoro tsa fekse le aterese ea lengolo-tsoibila)
le sesupo sa khoebo efe kapa efe e tobileng, ea lichelete, ea botho, kapa thahasello
e 'ngoe eo ba ka bang le eona tumellong kapa ho hanoeng ha kopo ena. Ho feta
moo, Nomoro ea Referense ea kopo FF66/YTL/0001/2022 LE FF66/YTL/0001/2022
e tlameha ho qotsoa mangolong ohle.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REPORT

INTRODUCTION:

The aim of the public participation process to ensure that the stakeholders,
interested and affected parties as well as the meeting public are informed and are
able to contribute inputs and to engage in the formal process (commenting on the
draft documents).

The public participation process:

Stakeholders and interested parties were identified during the process. These
included traditional leaders/ authorities, local NGOs/NPOs, Department of Water and
Sanitation; farmers, residents and landowners of SOWETO and the surrounding
areas; other provincial and national authorities, Ward councillors of SOWETO,
Department of Environmental affairs and Department of Energy.

The project documentation was sent to stakeholders, interested, and affected parties
to inform them of the SOWETO and its processes. Invitations were sent out to
various sectors surrounding the area and well as local municipalities representatives.

Notices were advertised in the newspapers such as SOWETO Times, Daily Sun.

Public participation notice meeting:

The public meeting was held on the 1st of December 2022. The meeting was held in
SOWETO. A questionnaire and CD of the development documents were handed out
during the meeting. A total Number of 58 people attended and 22 responses from
the questionnaires handed out during the meetings were received.

KEY ISSUES

Key issues from the community for this project were identified. A concise point form
summary of issues can be found below:
Water:

Water pollution was a huge concern. The community expressed how the
construction will contaminate the water as they often source water from the
wetlands, do religious rituals in the wetlands that need them to get into the water.
The community expressed the quality of water for drinking will be compromised.

The community also expressed that the reserves of water in the wetland might be
depleted, and the community might be left with a dry area.

The community also expressed how an influx of tourists would lead to the wetland
being contaminated with litter, which would kill present aquatic species.

Air quality:

The community expressed concerns regarding the air quality. The construction
phase was a huge concern to the community, that dust and odour that occurs during
construction can pollute the air and in turn make people sick from respiratory
conditions.

Air pollution from an increase in traffic and cars also was a concern from the
community.

Character of the SOWETO Area:

This sudden urban expansion was an issue for the community. The community
raised an issue that noise pollution would be an issue as there would be an influx of
tourists in the area, noise from machinery as well as traffic

The community was concerned about the landscape of the SOWETO area and if the
development would integrate with the existing landscape. So, aesthetics was a big
issue.

Some members of the community were concerned about the visual impacts of the
solar panels and how they would look.
Restricted Access to area:

Some community members were concerned and asked if the development area
would be restricted as some use the route to get to work, visit family or even use that
part of the Klip River Wetland for picnics, washing laundry, swimming, and bringing
livestock to drink water.

The community also were concerned about the boundary that will be put in place to
demarcate the development from the rest of the existing area. The community
wanted clear boundaries that would not disadvantage them.

The Abandoned Church:

The community expressed that even though the church has been abandoned, they
do not want it demolished as it forms part of their heritage.

Bull Frog:

The community expressed their concerns regarding introducing Angling fish species
in the area. The area had not been used for angling and the community was
concerned that the bullfrog would be taken by tourists or even harmed which would
lead to its extinction.

Change to the population structure and socio-economic conditions:

The community was concerned about the change in population structure and socio-
economic conditions. At present, the population in that SOWETO area is small. The
community stated that the influx of people who will be coming as tourists and
workers could pose a challenge as the area does not have the capacity to handle
and increase in the population. The area is already in a dire economic status. Hardly
any bread and breakfast, shop. The community was worried about the people
coming through will take existing jobs.

The use of imported labour was an issue as the local community is ‘unskilled’ and
there were fears on the rise in xenophobic attacks in the area.
The community was also unhappy about crime as a result of the increase in the
influx of people migrating to the area as well as an increase in shacks and informal
settlements.

Electricity:

The community complained that they do not have electricity but there will be solar
panels installed before they get them. They expressed that they struggle from
loadshedding and the solar panels from the development would not benefit them.

Water and Sewage:

The community expressed that there is a failure in sewage works and it is a concern
that the sewage from the development would end up in the water.

Waste disposal:

The community also raised an issue of where the waste from the Edutainment centre
will be going. They were concerned that the waste will be dumped illegally in their
homes.

KEY POSITIVES

Employment opportunities

Skills enforcement in the community

Investors

Growth in businesses, shops, B&B etc

The community support the initiative, or would they rather have something
else?

Overall, the majority of the community support the project as they expressed that as
long as their issues above. They were happy that it would bring about employment
and skills in the area.
QUESTION 3: ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES

3.1 POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE “DAM”, AS WELL AS THE IMPACT OF THE

INTRODUCTION OF POPULAR ANGLING FISH SPECIES ON THE KLIP RIVER
WETLAND

Introduction:

Wetlands are crucial in providing ecosystems to provide livelihoods to communities

in. Klipriver Wetland is one of the ecosystems. Fisheries and Agriculture also benefit
from this wetland. Mitigation measures are always needed to protect industries such
as fishing, agriculture and purification of water. The creation of the proposed dam will
have a negative effect on the sustainability of these industries. Klip River Wetland
provides fresh portable water to the community of SOWETO and surrounding. They
also allow for swimming. Figure 1 is an example of the benefits of the KlipRiver
Wetland any any other wetland.

Figure 1: Examples of Ecosystem services

POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE DAM:

1. FISHERIES SERVICES:

The dam can be detrimental to aquatic animals. The man-made dam is not natural
and restricts movement of fish from one area of the wetland to the other. It is known
that fish lay their eggs in one part of the wetland and at a later stage return with the
young school of fish. The Dam will disrupt the lifecycle of the fish and can lead to
extinction or a decrease in fish population.

Dams are created in a way there is equipment included in them such as pumps,
floodgates and even turbines. These equipment parts can injure and kill fish as they
swim across the Klip River Wetland.

Mitigation measures:

The Dam must be designed in a way that it allows for free movement of the fish.
Pumps should be located in areas that will cause less damage to fish, if possible
more environmental friendly equipment should be used to replace vigorous and
aggressive pumps.

2. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

The Klip River Wetland is a provider of water to the surrounding agricultural areas.
The water is utilized for irrigation and even water for livestock. The Dam will
decrease the water needed for this and lead to death of crops and livestock as
livestock also depend on these crops. Farmers or communities around the Klip River
who use the water for farming and selling this will lose business and that will
exacerbate the Concerning Economic status of the SOWETO/Zuurbekom area which
the Development dam is in.

Mitigation measures:

The Dam must be designed in a sustainable way and water must not be taken in
unnecessarily to prevent wastage. The water in the dam can be cleansed in a way
as to avoid over extraction from the Dam.
 3. RECREATIONAL SERVICE

The Dam being created can result in lack of access of recreational boats in the
wetland. The routes that they are used to will now be obstructed. The Dam can also
result in an increase in smelly water. This is because of stationary water/still water
that encourages anaerobic decomposition of media making the dam water dark and
possessing a foul odour.

Mitigation measures:

The Dam should be designed in a way that allows for throughway for boats. It should
not restrict any movement. The Dam water will be treated or handled in a way that
the stationary water does not smell.

4. TOURISM SERVICE

The Edutainment development will become a huge tourist attraction for people of all
ages. The aquarium, fish Angling activities, will attracts lots of tourists as well as
investors. However, tourists could decrease as the same dam created for will result
in a depletion of water reservoirs in the wetland. The water table will decrease in the
area and existing businesses will not be able to operate. The development proposed
that water from the wetland will be utilised for this dam and water to be used also for
running of the Edutainment centre. This will result in depletion of water.

Mitigation measures:

Training can be provided on wastage of water and prevention of overextraction of

water from the Dam

5. BULLFROG

The Bullfrogs movement will also be affected by the Dam. Movement and flexibility
will also be restricted. This can lead to extinction of the endemic Bullfrog.

Mitigation measures:
The Dam can be designed in a way that it is not in the concentrated habitat of the
bullfrogs.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF INTRODUCTING ANGLING FISH SPECIES:

1. DETRIMENTAL TO BULL FROGS

According to some Angling Fish are known to eat Frogs. This is detrimental as
Bullfrogs feed on algae, eat insects that could potentially pass/ transmit fatal
illnesses to humans such as Mosquitos that cause malaria. With the extinction of
frogs or even bull frogs, this will be detrimental for the ecosystem

Mitigation measures:

Fish species that are introduced into the Dam need to be compatible with bull frogs
and not be the kind of predatory fish species that feed on frogs.

2. RECREATIONAL

The introduction of angling fish results in an influx of tourists who come for fishing.
These tourists can pollute the water with litter thus killing aquatic animals and these
same fish. The tourists can end up taking the endemic frogs with them and that can
lead to extinction of endemic frogs. In essence, the tourists who come for fishing can
end up taking up more fish and thus resulting in extinction of the fish species.

Mitigation measures:

Laws and fines should be imposed for any unacceptable practices such as littering,
stealing of bull frogs or any aquatic animals in the dam. Leaflets and information
sessions should be done to educate tourists and the community on this.

3. FISH TAKING UP EFFLUENT FROM THE EDUTAINMENT CENTRE

If the Angling fish gets contaminated by chemical from effluent from the edutainment
centre, then people who catch the fish and eat it can die or fall ill from these
chemicals.

Mitigation measures:

Construction workers, drivers should ensure that oils do not drip from their cars that
could end up in the dam. Hazardous waste should also be discarded appropriately to
avoid it ending up in the dam. People and communities should also be warned about
eating fish or any aquatic animals from the dam or prohibit that practice.

4. HABITAT DAMAGE

The fishing gear utilized during Angling/fishing can damage the environment during
the catching process. Fishing processes such as dredging and bottom trawling
damage the wetland floor habitat.

Mitigation measures:

People who come for angling purposes should be educated on the effects of the
fishing gear on the Dam. Signs should be put in place and fines imposed on those
who violate the laws.

5. PIRATE FISHING

Introduction of angling fish in attract illegal fishing by people who want to sell the fish
in abundance to make profit.

Mitigation measures:

Security should be strengthened around the Edutainment centre as well as the Dam
to ensure that unauthorised people do not have access. Laws must be imposed on
illegal fishing in the area and the community should be educated on the effects of
pirate fishing.
2.ECOSYSTEM SERVICES THAT WOULD BE LOST WITH THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE EDUTAINMENT CENTER

2.1 FRESHWATER SERVICE

The construction of the edutainment centre will introduce rubble, chemicals, oils into
the KlipRiver Wetland. This will affect freshwater services. Human use that water for
bathing, irrigation, swimming, feeding livestock and even cooking with this water.
Aquatic animals can die from these chemicals and worse be consumed by human
who will eat them and retain those chemicals in their system.

2.2 AGRICULTURAL SERVICE

Agricultural practices form a huge part of the Zuurbekom area such as Khula Farms
which is popular for chicken, livestock and other general farming rely on the water
from the wetland. These agricultural products serve as a source of food for the
community of Zuurbekom and surroundings. Pollution of the wetland by the
Edutainment Centre from construction, waste or even chemicals will result in
contamination of these products, human health complications and a decline in
economic growth. The Agricultural service will be destroyed.

2.3 RECREATIONAL SERVICE

The community of SOWETO use this wetland for swimming, boat, fishing, relaxing
and also diving. The KlipRiver Wetland offer these services to the community. The
Edutainment centre will take an area where the community used to use it for such
recreational activities.

2.4 CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICE

Spiritual and religious values

The KlipRiver Wetland is used by the people of Zuurbekom as a place to cleanse as

a religious and traditional practices of some local members of the community. It is
considered a sacred place. With the edutainment centre developed, this sacred
place will be destroyed and those members wont be one with the place.
Aesthetic values

The development of the edutainment center, solar panels and the dam can alter the
aesthetic value of the area of Zuurbekom. Zuurbekom is not urban and has a
‘rural/small town element’ to it. This Edutainment centre can make the area’s
aesthetic to urban that the local community cannot identify with it.

2.6 SAFETY

The feeling of safety can be lost, due to the high crime rate resulting from an influx of
people migrating to the area of Zuurbekom due to the Edutainment centre seeking
work opportunities.

2.5 FISHERIES SERVICE

The existing fish and aquatic species in the wetland can go extinct due to the water
pollution by tourists and construction workers.

CONCLUSION

It can thus be concluded that Ecosystems services are crucial in maintaining the
environment.

QUESTION 4: BIOMES AND BIODIVERSITY

2001