By ‘Maleruo Leponesa
Makana Local Municipality, in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Rhodes University, and relevant stakeholders, held an Arbour Day Celebration at Folley’s Ground, Hlalani, on Monday.
The event aimed to educate community members about the importance of trees in enhancing environmental sustainability, improving air quality, and promoting ecological balance.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), National Arbour Week is a valuable opportunity to call on all South Africans to plant indigenous trees as a practical and symbolic gesture of sustainable environmental management. Furthermore, it affords the government, private sector, non-governmental and community-based organisations, and the public the chance to be involved in “greening” their communities.
Greening refers to an integrated approach to the planting, care, and management of all vegetation in urban and rural areas, securing multiple benefits for communities. In the South African context, greening primarily occurs in towns, townships, and informal settlements — places that were historically disadvantaged in terms of planning for parks and tree planting in streets and open spaces.
It is therefore essential for the public to collaborate with partners in local government and community-based organisations to create greener, healthier environments.
At the Arbour Day event, community members were present alongside primary school learners from Samuel Ntsiko and Fikizolo. Learners actively participated in engagement sessions, contributing their knowledge on the importance of planting trees.
Olwame Bokwa from Samuel Ntsiko responded that trees are a source of oxygen, which is essential for humans and animals to breathe.
Sinalo Majau, a Grade 11 student from T.E.M. Mrwetyana, said the event was very educational and that from that day forward, she would make sure to plant trees at her home.
“I learned that we need plants to survive just as much as plants need us for survival. I also learned that paper used for books and printing is made from trees; therefore, trees play a significant role in my education,” Majau said.
Finally, Ntombesiszwe Notyele, Director of Public Safety and Community Services at Makana Local Municipality, added that it is essential to preserve plants and trees, as some are highly beneficial for medicinal purposes — and therefore, they should be protected and kept alive.
