President Ramaphosa celebrates Operation Phakisa: Biodiversity Economy at Vhembe District, Limpopo

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Saturday, 25 August 2018, address the Biodiversity Economy Innovation and People & Parks conferences in Thohoyandou, Venda in the Limpopo Province under the theme: “Innovating and Accelerating - with the people, for the people”. 
 
The conference aims to ensure that the biodiversity economy produces healthy returns on investment. The scope of innovation products in the biodiversity economy include bioprospecting and bio-trade products such as cosmetics and pharmaceutical; wildlife and ecotourism products. 
 
In 2015, government adopted a Biodiversity Economy Strategy (BES) which seeks to increase the biodiversity contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while conserving the country’s ecosystems. It focuses on enhancing growth in various sectors including wildlife and tourism.
 
The Strategy was designed to sustainably advance the wildlife and bioprospecting sectors of the economy and secure sustainable livelihoods specifically for rural communities as part of meeting the targets of the National Development Plan.
 
The Biodiversity Economy Innovation conference will bring together stakeholders from the wildlife industry, academia, traditional leadership and government. The stakeholders will deliberate on innovative ideas that promote sustainable utilisation and conservation of the country’s biological resources.
 
The People and Parks conference takes place biennially, providing a platform for stocktaking on progress being made in addressing land claims around protected areas, and in facilitating the contribution of protected areas to the improvement of rural livelihoods.
 
While in Thohoyandou, President Ramaphosa will go on a walk-about at community projects that form part of the Integrated Rural Development Model and which employ approximately 300 local people.
 
Projects include farming (crop and livestock), agro-processing facilities such as an abattoir for poultry and red meat; a milling plant, tourism and wood crafting facilities.
 
These projects are funded and support by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD).
 
Details of the events are as follows:
 
Part 1:            
 
Presidential Biodiversity Economy Innovation and People & Parks conferences
 
Date: Saturday, 25 August 2018
Time: 08h00 (Media to arrive at 7h00)
Venue: Kalahari Waterfront, Thohoyandou
 
Part 2:            
 
Biodiversity Economy Transformation projects visit and Community engagement
 
Date: Saturday, 25 August 2018
Time: 11h00 (Media to arrive at 10h30)
Venue: Theocentric Primary School, Matsila village
 
Members of the media intending to attend the events are required to send their details including ID / passport numbers Peter Mbelengwa - pmbelengwa@environment.gov.za / 082 611 8197 or Ernest Mulibana – EMulibana@environment.gov.za / 082 263 7372 or Terrence Manase on terrence@presidency.gov.za / 082 338 6707
 
NB: Members of the media are also requested to present their valid press cards at the point of entry to access the venue. 
 

Media enquiries: Albi Modise, Environmental Affairs Spokesperson on 083 490 2871, or Khusela Diko, Presidency Spokesperson on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria