Celebrating Arbor Month and encouraging planting of indigenous trees

by Alfred Mokwele

AArbor Month is commemorated in September every year and it is all about planting the right tree in the right season at the right place.

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), Makhotso Sotyu, launched the National Arbor Month campaign on 1 September 2022 in Mbombela, Mpumalanga under the theme: “Forest, sustainable production and consumption”, focusing on the sustainable development and management of forests in the country. It outlines the interventions that will yield growth and investments through the Forestry Sector Master Plan.

The 2022 Central Karoo district event was held at the Youth Hub in the Mandlenkosi area, Beaufort West on 7 September 2022 The event was a collaborative annual project led by the Central Karoo Arbor Forum, targeting the entire Central Karoo region. Stakeholders involved include the WCDoA, DFFE, WCDoLG, WCDoE, WCDoH, DALRRD, SanParks, SAPS, Transnet, CWP, district and local municipality and all primary schools in the region.

The focus points of the 2022 event were to educate children from neighbouring schools and the community on the importance of trees, beautifying the parks, as well as creating awareness on deforestation. This was achieved by having a poster competition on the importance of trees for all schools in the Central Karoo region. Since this event was a collaborative event, various stakeholders donated gifts for all winner and runners-up.

The following important facts about trees were highlighted:

Trees help address the socioeconomic and environmental needs of South Africa.

Forests are essential for planetary health and human wellbeing.

Forests are vital for sustaining food production.

The forest sector generates jobs for at least 33 million people.

Billions of people use forest products.

Sustainable use of forests will help us move to an economy based on renewable, reusable and recyclable material. More actions are required to stop deforestation, degradation of forests, and expanding the use of forest products that contribute to carbon neutrality. Lastly, sustainable wood is an essential material for greening cities.

The pompon tree is one of the bestknown and well-loved indigenous trees, tough enough to be used as a street tree and small enough to fit into most gardens. When in flower during Christmas, it looks like a giant ball of candyfloss, as the tree transforms into a cloud of soft pink balls. Its natural home is the eastern part of South Africa where it grows on the margins of forests, wooded hill slopes and in stony kloofs.

The target audience of the Arbor Day event included school learners, educators and the community of Beaufort West –Mandlenkosi and Rustdene residents.

Eleven primary schools in the region were invited to participate in the poster competition using the 2022 Arbor month theme. Six primary schools attented the event, namely Beaufort West, JD Crawford, HM Dlikidla, AH Barnard, Prince

Read more!

Scan the QR code or visit https://treesa.org/daiscotinifolia/ to read more about the pompon tree.

A total of 543 drought-resistance shade trees were distributed to Central Karoo communities, including five primary schools each receiving five shade trees. The winning schools include Teske Gedenk, that walked away with the first prize, including the free educational programme at Grantham hosted by SanParks on 2 December 2022. Second and third places went to AH Barnard and HM Dlikidla primary schools respectively.

Areas of improvement

More stakeholder engagement is critical to mobilise the community, disseminate information, as well as strengthening partnerships, awareness on tree planting and the risk of deforestation are key. AP

Acronyms

WCDOA – Western Cape Department of Agriculture

DFFE – Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment

WCDoLG – Western Cape Department of Local Government

WCDoE – Western Cape Department of Education

WCDoH – Western Cape Department of Health

DALRRD – Department of Agriculture

Land Reform and Rural Development

SanParks – South African National Parks

SAPS – South African Police Service

CWP – Community Worker Programme

For more information, contact Alfred Mokwele: alfred.mokwele@westerncape.gov.za