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'A transformed Weather Service making it accessible, efficient and self sustainable"

As from yesterday 15 July 2001, the South African Weather Bureau became officially known as the South African Weather Service, this came after the assenting of the South African Weather Service Act (No 8 of 2001) by President Thabo Mbeki on 22 June, bringing it into effect by means of a Proclamation in the Government Gazette.

The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Valli Moosa contends that the implementation of this Act is set to take weather services into a new era. "The Weather Service Act is a manifestation of this government's commitment to the improvement of service delivery to all communities in South Africa. It is a fundamental objective to transform not only the management structure of the Weather Service, but also the manner in which it prioritises which groups of our communities will be serviced."

Amongst the Acts several goals, is catering for the needs of communities such as subsistence farmers and fisheries; and extending access to the services provided by the Weather Service to vulnerable communities in rural areas. The Act further provides for two distinct services, namely the Public Good Services, which will be funded by government, and Commercial Services for which the user-pay principle will apply.

The agentisation of the Weather Service provides the unique opportunity to generate revenue to sustain its operations beyond what the public purse can fund. There is scope for implementing a sophisticated cost recovery operation in certain areas of activity e.g. the Aviation Industry and for market related business activities. It has already started a call number for commercial services such as the 24-hour 082 162 weather lines.

Mr. Donovan Nadison, newly appointed CEO of the SA Weather Service, said that the Act complements the renewed focus by government on economic growth. "Effective weather services are essential to a variety of weather sensitive industries such as agriculture, aviation, construction and maritime, weather related losses in these industries will have a negative economic impact which may result in job losses. Improvements in services to these sectors and reduction in weather related losses will improve their economic development."

The South African Weather Service is now a statutory body with powers to earn additional income for specialised services. It will act through a Board to be appointed by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, after receiving public nominations, which are open until 31 August 2001.

Contact: Onkgopotse JJ Tabane at 082 465 6166, tabane@iafrica.com, DEAT Site: www.environment.gov.za, SA Weather Service Link: www.weathersa.co.za

Issued by Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

16 July 2001