It’s as if the trees have all lined up to die. Shooting off into the township roads from the Albert Street intersection like a firework, the trees planted there by the Makana Parks and Recreation Department (MPRD) seem to have faded as fleetingly.
It’s as if the trees have all lined up to die. Shooting off into the township roads from the Albert Street intersection like a firework, the trees planted there by the Makana Parks and Recreation Department (MPRD) seem to have faded as fleetingly.
The steel cages erected to protect them stand now only as empty promises, reminding residents of the shortcomings in the continued struggle to improve their lives.
Every morning and afternoon Raglan Road is transformed into a bustling hub of commuters.People travel back and forth between work and school on foot and in vehicles. Children wait for taxis, and women carry home cumbersome packets from the informal markets near the police station.
There might have been such a market at the Albert Street intersection; shaded by lush trees and buzzing with the activity of vendors and street grocers, but there isn't. Instead there is a perfectly clean and empty public space, paved with bricks and lined on either side with the dead stumps of Cape Ash and African Plum trees.
Thulisa Sandi commutes regularly up and down Raglan Road, said she would like to see trees there. “Green is my favourite colour, and the trees would make the township look great.” Esona Bosani (10) would also like to see the trees flourish. “They give us clean air, and oxygen. I want to see the trees grow big.”
The trees were planted in 2011 as part of the Millennium Tree Planting Project (MTPP) and were donated by the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant, which is funded by the National Treasury. Kevin Bates, director of the MPRD, said that the trees had been planted to improve and beautify the public spaces in the townships.
After only two seasons of growth, these rapidly growing indigenous trees might have been four or five meters tall by now, but instead most of them have been snapped off, stunted or completely uprooted.
Bates said the unfortunate fate of the trees has been partly due to damage done by domestic livestock, which is commonly seen roaming the streets of Grahamstown unattended. “The cattle can easily reach into the cages and eat the leaves and shoots of the young trees,” Bates said. “This is a huge problem.” But livestock is not the only cause for concern.
The trees have fallen victim to vandalism. Bates said that the community is angry that they weren't consulted and are, therefore, damaging the young saplings. “They might feel that money is wasted on trees when they need houses and other infrastructure,” he speculated.
Grocotts Mail went to the streets of Joza and Extension 6 to find out what people thought of the trees, and why they have so rapidly met their demise. However, about 25 people questioned voiced their overwhelming support for the tree project, leaving the question begging why residents would vandalise the trees planted to improve their own neighbourhoods.
The answer was almost unanimous. The cause: public drunkenness. Residents said that people drinking at night with nothing better to do take their boredom out on the trees, pulling out or breaking off branches.
“It’s so terrible to see people destroying the trees,” resident Phumzile George said. “Drunk people walk here at night and they kick the trees, pick them and destroy them. There is a lack of understanding and people are destroying what our government has done for us.” But one resident, Unathi Tshazi, said they created a dangerous zone at night. “They are too dark and dangerous,” she said. “At night, people climb into the trees and they jump down and attack people. So as girls, I don't like them. They must be removed, it's a waste of time.”
Meanwhile, the MPRD plans to replant the trees within the next few weeks. Bates said that of about 400 trees donated to the municipality, many are still being kept at the Makana nursery. It remains to be seen whether the new plantation will survive and grow into adult trees or whether they will be vandalised.
The MTPP is offering five varieties of indigenous trees to township residents for R5. Applications and enquiries can be made at 046 603 6093.
