News Letter December 2019

1. Branding the Forum

We have developed a logo as well as the following marketing collateral:

• A web site: www.nahoonestuary.co.za
• A face book page: Nahoon Estuary East London RSA
• A letterhead
• A brochure

2. Registering as a Non- Profit Organization  (NPO )

We have applied for registration as an NPO with the Department of Social Development. As soon as it is approved we can open a bank account and register with SARS for Section 18A approval so that we can offer benefits to potential donors Next year we can identify projects, write business plans and look for funders to fund such business plans both in South Africa and internationally

3. Alien Invasive Species

There are various invasive alien species on the banks of the Estuary, most noticeable the Agave Sisalana, on the west bank ( A Category 2 Invasive) and Pereskia Aculeata on the east bank ( A category 1 Invasive )

We are in advanced talks with Working on Fire/Working on Water who are most interested in lending assistance to remove them

4. The Nahoon Estuary Management Plan

After waiting from 19 December 2016 , when the Plan was promulgated in the Provincial Gazette, the Council have approved the Plan at a meeting held in October 2019. This means that the actions contained in the Plan can now be included in the Integrated Development Plan and Budget for the 2020/2021 financial year to commence implementing those actions

5. The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Coastal Committee

A Coastal Committee in terms of the provisions of the Integrated Environmental Management Act was established recently.

This Committee will assist to integrate all environmental actions along the whole coast of the City

It consists of BCMM Departments, all relevant Government Departments as well as the private sector We have been invited to attend this Committee and are now members

6. Maldives Pump Station

The Forum reported a spillage from the pump station at the Maldives Group Housing Development on the N2 in Beacon Bay to the Buffalo City Municipality and the Department of Water and Sanitation as the pump is not working and has not worked for the past 2 to 3 years,  We submitted a letter from our attorney to the Municipality which resulted in two meetings and a commitment from the Municipality to repair the dysfunctional pump station at this development and to maintain it in future in order to prevent any more spillages which eventually ends up in the Estuary

7. Visit by National Department of Environment

An inspector from the National Department of Environment in Cape Town, Bongiwe Makangume,  came to East London to investigate reports of the pollution of the Estuary. We visited all  sites where spillages normally occur and provided her with insight as far as we could. We hope that something positive will come from this inspection.

8. Visit by Prof Neil Armitage of the University of Cape Town

Prof Armitage is an expert in Sustainable Drainage Systems in South Africa. We took him for a site inspection of the Estuary and Environs and  arranged meetings with all relevant stakeholders

He identified the following as the most important issues:

• Sewerage Discharge
• Storm-water discharge
• River discharge