Tree marathon captures hearts in Klapmuts

A renewed energy and excitement filled the air in Klapmuts when crowds of people, including the honourable Mayor Conrad Sidego and over 140 volunteers from five corporate entities, gathered to take part in one of many Tree-a-thon’s (mass planting events) set to take place this year, as part of the “Million Trees” project.

The crowd were addressed by the Mayor Conrad Sidego, Counsellor Sophie Louw and Pietman Retief, who are all passionate about “cleaning and greening” the areas that fall within the municipality they manage.

Environment can be used to reduce poverty and create jobs

The honourable Mayor Conrad Sidego explained how the “Million Trees” project came about, saying “this was a vision of mine and part of a bigger plan to create dignified living while reducing our carbon footprint. The “Million Trees” project is also a perfect example of how the environment can be used to reduce poverty and create jobs – and this is also what inspired our sustainable partnerships with Wildlands Conservation Trust and Leaf a Legacy,” said Sidego.

The Stellenbosch Municipality initiated the “Million Trees” project in 2013, aimed at greening the communities that fall within the Municipal boundaries and restoring the ecosystems which underwrite the health and livelihood of these communities.

Wildlands and its partners have well established mechanisms for supporting and enabling the propagation, planting and care of indigenous trees by disadvantaged and marginalised community members, while Leaf-a-Legacy is developing a community project aimed at job creation, greening the environment and creating a culture of cooperation amongst the communities of Stellenbosch.

Louise Duys of Wildlands also addressed the crowd representing one of the key partners in the ‘Million Trees’ project saying, “The difference you are making here today goes beyond just the trees. Five different corporate companies have come together for one common cause and will ultimately contribute towards assisting a community on their journey towards dignified livelihoods,” said Duys.

Over 1000 trees were planted in Klapmuts in only a few hours and indigenous trees were also distributed to community members in attendance who expressed an interest in greening their homesteads, and doing their part to make their environment cleaner and greener.

Over 1000 trees planted in a few hours

A group of children from Teletubbies Educare in Klapmuts performed for the guests and volunteers at the mass tree planting, and could not have been more fitting in profiling the future of tomorrow in them and for them.

The corporate companies that volunteered their time and energy towards the day, and contributed funding to make the event possible include PSG, Spier, Remgro, Distell and Mediclinic. Each of the corporate entities was given an opportunity to comment on the tree marathon:

Karen Rimmer Chief Operating Officer of Distribution for PSG said, “We feel that we have similar objectives to Wildlands. We want to create and preserve wealth, which we do through financial advice, while Wildlands create and preserve the environment. We therefore found this activity very pertinent to us and enjoyed it thoroughly!”

Mariza Lubbe in charge of Remgro’s Corporate Social Investment said, “Franklin Rooseveld said ‘forests are the lungs of a land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to its people’ may this be true for the Klapmuts community having received this wonderful gift of trees.”

Businesses and communities connecting to make a difference

Joep Schoof, Spier Leisure’s General Manager, said “The trees of Wildland’s Tree-preneurs live in a nursery on our property, so this project is very close to home. Trees are for life and will supply generations with shelter and comfort.”

Corlia van Zyl of Distell said, “We are proud to be here today, not just investing money but physically doing something and planting trees. It is great to see businesses and communities connecting like this to make a difference and help the environment.”

Tertia Kruger, Communications Officer of Mediclinic said, “Today we are not just planting trees we are making sure we become an integral part of this community and assist with job creation and greening simultaneously.”

Special mention must be made of Agrimark, who contributed discounted equipment and managed to secure 50 Lasher spades (to the value of over R7000) to the project.

The municipality also alluded to future plans involving fruit trees and veggie gardens which the local communities can look forward to.

 

If you would like to contribute to the “Million Trees” project, as an individual or on behalf of a corporate entity please visit www.milliontrees.co.za or email million.trees@stellenbosch.gov.za.