The train, which left Cape Town on Friday, is stopping in De Aar today, and will stop in Kimberley tomorrow. Its journey ends in Durban where South Africa will be hosting the 17th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP17) at the end of November.
Said the spokesperson for the department of environmental affairs, Thabo Ditseho: “The train's activities serve as a build-up to the conference and will create awareness of the climate change phenomenon. The Northern Cape has been predicted to be at the forefront of such climatic changes."
During both the De Aar and Kimberley stopovers, street marches as well as a series of exhibitions are planned to highlight the climate change issue.
Ditseho said the train was a collaboration between the National Department of Environmental Affairs, Transnet and NGO Indalo Yethu.
“During the stopovers, the activities are being coordinated by the environmental departments of the province.
“In the Northern Cape the department of environment and nature conservation has been joined by the departments of education, agriculture and land reform, rural development, transport, safety and liaison as well as the Pixley ka Seme district municipality and Sol Plaatje local municipality. Read the full report here.
Source: Zandisile Luphahla, The New Age.
