This is known around the world as Arbor Day where people plant trees, especially rare and indigenous trees, to ensure that they will be around for generations to come. The MEC for the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development, Mase Manopole, together with the Mayor of Dikgatlong Local Municipality, Dorothy Mbizeni, and the Good Green Deeds team, launched the province’s Arbor Month campaign earlier this month under the theme “Forests and Biodiversity”, by planting indigenous trees at the Barkley West Resort. OFM News’ Elsabé Richard spoke to Manopole about which trees were planted and the importance of doing so.

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The trees that were planted in this area are the Wild Olive and the succulent, Spekboom trees, known to not need much water which will ensure its survival. This makes it perfect since the Northern Cape has been identified as a drought-stricken province.

Manopole also explained that these trees are beneficial in improving the quality of the air and in support of the fight against climate change.

She further added that the Spekboom tree plays an important role in reducing the province's carbon footprint. This, as South Africa, has been identified as being among the top 20 largest producers of carbon emissions in the world.

“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.”

Manopole says that the department will be planting Spekboom trees throughout the province and also embark on a cleaning spree where communities will be encouraged to clean their environment and also the parks that they have.

OFM News