Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms. Makhotso Sotyu, will launch the “1000 Stories, 100 000 Trees” initiative as part of the 2023 Women’s Day commemoration in Hoopstad, Free State, on 8 August 2023.
The “1000 Stories, 100 000 Trees” is a collaborative grassroots project initiated by NPO, She Evolves, and targeted at empowering women across South Africa’s rural landscape. Community change makers gather with other women to share their personal stories of triumph in hopes to inspire more change makers; and inspire social cohesion and environmental development through storytelling, planting of trees and food gardens.
The launch is part of the Women’s Day 2023 commemoration and complements this year’s theme: “Accelerating Socio-Economic Opportunities for the Empowerment of Women”. The promotion of women’s empowerment is central to efforts to combat poverty and stimulate sustainable developments. One of the project’s key goals is to establish a community food garden which will create a micro informal market for women in the area.
Minister Sotyu will be accompanied by the Mayor of Tswelopele Local Municipality, Kenalemang Phukuntsi. Both will share their own inspiring stories before leading a tree-planting ceremony. The site chosen for the tree-planting is an old taxi rank which now has been earmarked as a community park by the local municipality.
Members of the media are invited to attend the event as per the details below:
Date: 8 August 2023
Time: 9h00
Venue: 2 Prince George Street, Hoopstad, Tswelopele Local Municipality, Free State
To RSVP, please contact: Dimakatso Tsutsubi on 066 420 0088 / dtsutsubi@dffe.gov.za or Simphiwe Mnikina on 082 955 4122 / smnikina@dffe.gov.za
Media enquiries:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
