Programme director
Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality, Honourable Councillor Mamedupi Teffo
Executive Mayor of Polokwane Local Municipality Honourable Councillor John Mpe
Councillors
Chairperson of the National Forestry Advisory Council, Ms Nosisa Nzuza
Executive Director of The Forestry Charter Council, Ms Khosi Mavimbela
President of the Institute of Environment and Recreation Management, Mr Jacques Cedras
Representatives of Total Energies
Distinguished guests
Learners
Ladies and gentlemen
I am very delighted to see myself here today visiting Limpopo Province. This is my fourth time in four years in the Province and my visits were all rewarding.
Today I am here on a different mission. A mission to ensure that we work together on issues of environmental conservation and development which involves greening, tree planting and protection of our green heritage i.e., forest resources. Before I proceed with my speech, I would like to remind you about Section 24(b) of our constitution which provide that “everyone has a right to have the environment protected and healthy, for benefits of present and future generations.
Tree planting which is one of the key reasons we are gathered here today comes a long way and originated in 1872 when a day was set aside for tree planting in Nebraska by everyone and about a million trees were planted on the day. In 1970 in our own country South Africa the Green Heritage Campaign was initiated and in 1983, South Africa celebrated its very first Arbor Day which captured the imagination of those who recognised the need to raise awareness on the value of trees in our lives and the society at large.
As a result, the collective enthusiasm inspired the South African National Government in 1999 to extend the celebration of Arbor Day to National Arbor Week which was celebrated from the 1st to the 7th of September, and today we celebrate the National Arbor Month annually because of the popularity of the Campaign.
The introduction of the Million Trees Programme in 2007 commenced an initiative that brought different stakeholders in the greening space to collaborate and plant at least one million trees annually. This collaboration has ensured that over the years the target has been exceeded on an annual basis. As a confirmation and recognition of the work that the greening partners have done in the past where different stakeholders in the greening space were brought to collaborate and plant trees, the President has announced an initiative of planting 10 million trees in the next five years.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today we are gathered here to celebrate the Arbor Month Campaign under the theme ‘Forests and Health”. This demonstrates that there is definitely a symbiotic relationship between humans and forests: Humans rely on forests and forests rely on humans for sustainability. There is also evidence that shows a strong scientific link between forests and human health. World Wildlife Funds (WWF) released a report that shows benefits tied to forests and their contribution to public health solutions and this finding argue that the conservation, protection, and restoration of forests are undeniably critical to safeguarding and promoting human health.
It has also been demonstrated that health care facilities that are green and have trees planted around them could enhance the healing process of patients at such a facility. For this reason, the Department will be incorporating the greening of health care facilities working together with the Department of Health.
We have the following pillars to drive this programme:
The schools greening initiative - aimed at greening of schools using both fruit and ornamental shade trees. Schools must be fenced in and have reliable source of water to ensure survival. Stakeholders to work with include departments of Education, Health, NGOs etc.
The Arbor Month Campaign - provides a platform to heighten tree-planting activity and to share messages about the value and importance of trees and forests in the lives of South Africans
The Arbor City Awards Competition: Aimed at recognizing and providing incentives to those Municipalities that go an extra mile to green their areas of jurisdiction. Currently, we have municipalities that are actively participating who should be approached to better their efforts. It is understood that some are under-resourced with no dedicated personnel and function. In this regard we would like to also commit the winners of the competition to our ideals that we focus a lot on the cleaning and greening of previously disadvantaged areas such as Townships, rural and peri-urban residential areas.
Greening of Low-Income cost housing commonly referred as “RDP” Homes. Trees and other vegetation are normally removed during construction leaving the area barren. There is a need to plant in those areas particularly on newly developed areas that are already occupied. This initiative has contributed immensely to greening in the country. It is implemented through the Expanded Public Works Programme which provides incentives for communities who are recruited to undertake tree planting activities. With the high unemployment rate among the youth in townships, employing the EPWP programme and the youth employment service will speed up delivery, but will also address issues of unemployment and provide a livelihood to the youth in these respective communities.
Rehabilitation of degraded areas using the spekboom has also increased the impact of greening efforts drastically. Most of the plants are planted as seedlings, so the area planted can be utilized to its full potential. In this way more plants can be planted.
I am also proud of the innovativeness shown by Polokwane. They converted an open space, Skotipola park which used to be an illegal dumping area. The area was cleared of existing rubble and other waste material and developed into a recreational park. The upgrade included fencing using clear view fence, planting of lawn, paving of walkways, installation of children’s play equipment and outdoor gym. The current conditions of the park encourage healthy living due to available gym facilities and children’s play equipment. This emphasizes our theme of “ forests and health”. As some of you are aware, Polokwane has been identified amongst the 14 Municipalities for the Cleaning and Greening Programme. I am proud to announce that to date we have already planted more than 8 000 trees through this initiative and we are hoping to achieve the target of 14 500 trees.
Programme Director, allow me to acknowledge that as government Department alone, we would not have made it without the support of the private sector, Non-Government Organisations, the corporate sector and Community Based Organisations.
Lastly, but of most importance I would like to acknowledge that the Department has travelled a long journey with Total Energies regarding the Greening Programme, Arbor Month Campaign, and the Arbor City Awards Competition, I would like to express my outmost gratitude for your willingness to do more going forward.
Thank You
2023 NATIONAL ARBOR CITY AWARDS WINNERS
Category: Youth Participation in Greening
1st prize winner – R250 000: Trophy and Certificate
Ndwedwe Local Municipality
(iLembe District – KwaZulu Natal)
Category: Small Rural Local Municipalitty
1st prize winner – R300 000: Trophy and Certificate
Inxuba Yethemba Municipality
(Chris Hani District-Eastern Cape)
Category: Local Municipality or Category B Municipalities
3rd prize winner – R150 000: Trophy and Certificate
Kouga Local Municipality
(Sarah Baartman District – Eastern Cape)
2nd prize winner – R250 000: Trophy and Certificate
Stellenbosch Local Municipality
1st prize winner – R300 000: Trophy and Certificate
Polokwane Local Municipality
(Capricorn District – Limpopo province)
2023 National Arbor City Awards Championship Awards
These are individuals that are being honoured by DFFE for demonstrating outstanding championship in respect of their municipalities during the adjudication process of the 2023 National Arbor City Awards.
Mr Walter Matumba - Certificate
Polokwane Local Municipality
Ms Nomvelo Siwela - Certificate
Kouga Local Municipality
Mr Marco Engelbrecht - Certificate
Kouga Local Municipality
Mr Monwabisi Siqwayi - Certificate
Inxuba Yethemba Municipality
Ms Nobuhle Sishi - Certificate
Ndwedwe Local Municipality
National Greening Awards
These are organisations that have remarkably contributed to the function of urban forestry and greening in their respective communities. The also given recognition for contributing to the Ten Million Trees Programme.
Dorp Van Drome: Village of Dreams NGO - Certificate
Eastern Cape
TreeKeepers NGO - Certificate
Western Cape
WINNERS FOR SCHOOL NATIONAL ARBOR AWARDS
Winner: Segopotje Secondary School: R50 000
(Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality)
1st Runner Up: Mammoka Secondary School: R30 000
(Blouberg Local Municipality)
2nd Runner Up: Monyong Secondary School – R20 000
(Polokwane Local Municipality)
For media enqueries
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
