The City of Ekurhuleni is joining forces with the rest of the country to plant as many trees to mitigate climate change. This comes after the presidential call to plant 10 million trees in the next five years nationwide.
On Friday, 23 September 2022, The city’s Environment Resources division donated 10 indigenous and fruit trees to Mogobeng Primary School in Katlehong to mark the city’s Arbor Day activities. Amongst the ten donated trees was the Pompom (Dias Contifolia) tree, dubbed the ‘national tree of the year 2022’.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Environment Resources and Waste Management Services Alderman Andre Du Plessis took the learners on the step-by-step process of planting trees.
Speaking at the event Ald. Du Plessis urged educators to encourage learners to care for the environment by avoiding littering, establishing food gardens, and planting trees. He further encouraged the young ones to nurture the trees as part of their schooling activities.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has donated 1 800 indigenous and fruit trees to be planted across the city as part of Arbor Month activations.