Caption: City of Tshwane’s vision 2055 is focussed on offering a high quality of life to city residents by adopting sustainable development practices. Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane addressed 49 Heads of the African Missions to much applause on 03 March 2015 at the Council Chambers in Centurion. He announced that Tshwane will host the inaugural African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum in association with African embassies at the environmental highlight of the year, Sustainability Week, taking place from 23 to 28 June 2015 at the CSIR Convention Centre in Tshwane.
The African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum, which will take place from 23 to 25 June 2015 during Sustainability Week, will explore various opportunities to address the sustainability imperative arising from the current and numerous challenges African cities face on a daily basis. Councillor Ramokgopa has extended an invitation to the Mayors of African Capital Cities to attend this forum during his address, to engage in the opportunity to champion urban sustainability in respective countries.
“Sustainable development and the green economy are key policy foundations for the City of Tshwane and a means to stimulate economic growth,” said Councillor Ramokgopa during his address to the Heads of African Missions. “The City of Tshwane’s Vision 2055 is to become a low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient city,” he added. Some of the city’s sustainability goals are energy security, green buildings, energy efficiency which includes investment in electric vehicles and solar water heaters in low-income households, food security and sustainable public transport services. Other exciting items are free Wi-Fi services throughout the city and waste separation at source. Ramokgopa highlighted the efforts of the city within collaborative national and international structures and emphasised that the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum is an important new strategic component of these endeavours.
Diplomats in attendance expressed their willingness to work with the City of Tshwane and to invite mayors of African cities to this thought-provoking and important forum. Mayors of African capital cities, city and municipal mangers, government officials and regulators, researchers, scientists, related non-government organisations and multi-nationals operating in Africa are invited to attend this crucial forum.
Sustainability Week takes place at the CSIR International Conference Centre from 23 to 28 June 2015. For more information on Sustainability Week and to participate in the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum, visit www.sustainabilityweek.co.za
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Councillor Ramokgopa highlighted that measurement of these projects and international networking and benchmarking are fundamental to managing the city’s impacts. The City of Tshwane is actively part in National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) deliberations and heads the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Climate Change Champions Committee for synchronised local government climate action. The city has been appointed as the 70th member of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. The Capital City also hosts the annual Sustainability Week where sustainable ideas and practice are a key focus.
