04 SEPTEMBER 2020
Today, the MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Mase Manopole, launched the Provincial Arbour Month campaign by planting indigenous trees at the Barkley West Resort in the Dikgatlong local municipality.
National Arbor Month is celebrated annually in September, with the aim of keeping the environment green, by planting trees and educating the communities on the importance trees play in the cycle of life.
This year’s theme is “Forests and Biodiversity,†which signifies the importance of protecting and conserving the country’s biodiversity, as the backbone of our economy and livelihoods.
MEC Manopole together with the Honourable Mayor of Dikgatlong, Mme Dorothy Mbizeni and the Good Green Deeds team planted the Spekboom and Wild Olive trees at the resort.
The Spekboom trees play an important role in reducing carbon footprint. With South Africa being among the top 20 largest producers of carbon emissions in the world, reducing our carbon footprint is more important than ever. As an Indigenous plant to the Northern Cape, the Spekboom is considered to be a wonder plant in managing the effect of carbon, given its remarkable ability to draw large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere.
The trees give great benefit in improving the quality of the air we breathe and support in the fight against climate change.
Given the drought conditions experienced in the Northern Cape Province, the succulent Spekboom plant is water wise, ideal for low-maintenance gardens, suitable for all seasons and weather condition, very easy to grow and it medicinal plant which can also be used for dehydration and exhaustion.
September is also heritage month and as we celebrate Arbor Month, the department will focus on the country’s champion trees which include some of the oldest, largest and culturally significant trees.
During the launch, MEC Manopole indicated that trees provide a wide range of products and services, not only timber and firewood. They include food, fodder, (feeding for animals), renewable raw materials and energy, medicinal and aromatic plants, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, protecting of land and water resources, maintaining biodiversity, provide shade and beautify our areas.
She further mentioned that trees provide economic and social benefits like employment, the processing and trade of products, hosting and protection of sites and landscapes of high cultural, spiritual, or recreational value.
She was concerned that that trees are also threatened by fire, deforestation for agricultural and urban expansion, airborne pollution, storms, droughts, invasive species, pests, diseases, and insects.
MEC Manopole handed over additional trees to the locally based nature conservation NGO, LLB Africa. The organisation together with the Dikgatlong local municipality will be embarking in the greening and beautification of the resort.
The Northern Cape is a home to indigenous trees, Grey Camel Thorn (Protected species), Shepard’s Tree/ Witgat (Protected species), Quiver tree/Kokerboom (protected species) and the Bastard Quiver tree/ Basterkokerboom (Endangered species)
MEC Manopole has called on the communities to plant at least one indigenous tree this month, in order to promote greening, increase habitats for tree-dwelling species, and contribute to cleaner air.
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Zandisile Luphahla
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083 391 5388
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT