Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
As the country commemorates Heritage Day, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts is today leading a government campaign to plant One Million Trees. The objective of the campaign is to bring all South Africans together to plant trees to mitigate against climate change.
The campaign forms part of the Presidential Ten Million Trees Flagship Programme which aims to mobilise South Africans from all walks of life, three spheres of government, private sector, interfaith formations, business, diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, NGOs and the youth among others to plant trees. The Deputy Minister is leading the Pretoria leg of the main tree planting events.
The Gauteng leg of the event is taking place at Freedom Park Heritage Site in Salvokop where the Deputy Minister will be joined by various Ambassadors and High Commissioners. Acting President Paul Mashatile is leading the other tree planting event in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape ahead of the Heritage Day commemorating event.
“Acting President Mashatile will be joined by key government leaders including the Minister of [Sport], Arts and Culture, Honourable Gayton McKenzie and various provincial government leaders. In addition, tree-planting activities will take place at Heritage Day events across all nine provinces, led by Premiers and/or MECs responsible for the Environment portfolio,” said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
The One Million Trees Campaign, launched by Deputy Minister Swarts, is a boost to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Ten Million Trees Programme, which aims to plant 10 million trees over five years through the department’s National Greening Programme.
“The initiative not only contributes to climate resilience but also raises awareness about the importance of tree planting, while encouraging individuals and organisations to pledge and actively take part in greening their environment.” said the department. Heritage Day recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of our nation with South Africans celebrating the day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of the country.
