launch of its âGo Greenâ Campaign
25 October 2007
The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) planted the first
20 "democracy trees" this morning at the Makgatho Primary School in
Atteridgeville, Tshwane to mark the launch of its Social Responsibility
Programme, the "IEC Go Green" campaign. The school is the first of about 10 000
schools that have been used as voting stations since 2004 where the IEC
envisages planting democracy trees. The Department of Education, Department of
Water Affairs and Forestry and "Food and Trees for Africa" participated in
today's planting ceremony.
The dignitaries who planted trees included the Mayor of the City of Tshwane,
Dr Gwen Ramokgopa; the IEC Chairperson, Dr Brigalia Bam; the IEC Deputy
Chairperson, Ms Thoko Mpumlwana; the IEC Chief Electoral Officer, Adv Pansy
Tlakula; the acting Director-General of the Department of Water Affairs and
Forestry, Dr Shibu Rampedi; the Director for Further Education and Training in
the Department of Education, Dr Nhlanhla Nduna-Watson; and representatives of
the Department of Education, Makgatho Primary School and "Food and Trees for
Africa".
This planting ceremony of indigenous fruit and ornamental trees is the start
of the first phase of the campaign whereby a minimum of 20 such "democracy
trees" will be planted at one provincially identified school in each of the
nine provinces. The long-term scope of the project is to plant a minimum of 20
democracy trees at all IEC voting stations. Currently this equates to 380 000
trees that will be planted at the 19 000 voting stations across the country
over a period of about five years.
The IEC is committed to this "democracy tree" planting project, because it
sees it as a way to negate some of the impact that normal business processes
have on the environment, e.g. without paper we will not be able to vote.
Planting "democracy trees" at schools used as voting stations is also seen
as a way in which the IEC can strengthen its ongoing relationship with the
schools and the voting community. This is an opportunity to highlight the
selfless role played by the voting station staff that is drawn from
schools.
The IEC recognises that other institutions are making great strides in
greening initiatives and therefore wishes to partner with committed
stakeholders in order to realise the goals of this campaign.
A key focus area of the IEC "democracy tree" planting project is to ensure
effective aftercare i.e. maintenance of the trees must be put in place. All
schools which are identified for tree planting will have to undergo
environmental awareness training and commit themselves to actively inculcate
the awareness that like democracy, a tree needs to be nurtured and sustained
because it gives us quality of life.
Today's event is sponsored by donations from the Commissioners, staff and
contractors of the IEC. However, the IEC is in the process of securing
sponsorship for the programme from the corporate sector, strategic partners and
donors who are committed to greening and embraces our joint responsibility to
care for our environment.
Enquiries:
Lydia Young
Cell: 082 650 8652
Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
25 October 2007
