September 2020
By Olebogeng Molale
The Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development, in conjunction with the Dikgatlong Local Municipality, celebrated National Arbour month by planting indigenous trees at Barkley West Resort.
National Arbor Month is celebrated annually during September. The purpose is to keep the environment green by planting trees and educating the communities on caring for them.
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.
Mase ManopoleMEC for Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development, Mase Manopole, Dorothy Mbizeni, Mayor for Dikgatlong Local Municipality and The Good Green Deeds team planted Spekboom and Wild Olive trees at the resort.
Manopole mentioned that South Africa is among the top 20 largest producers of carbon emissions in the world, Spekboom plays a vital role in reducing carbon.
“As an indigenous plant in the Northern Cape, the Spekboom is considered 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 air and support in the fight against climate change,” said Manopole.
She further mentioned that trees provide economic and social benefits.
Mbizeni took the opportunity to encourage communities to start planting food gardens in their yard. “Let me take this time to encourage our people that we need to start having food gardens because that will assist in reducing poverty. In the olden days, we used to have food gardens; therefore, we must go back to that,” said Mbizeni. The Mayor stressed that youth involvement in agriculture is vital. “They must be agents of change by learning more about farming and looking after the environment,” added the Mayor.
MEC Manopole closed the event by handing over additional trees to the local based nature conservation NGO, LLB Africa. Together with the Dikgatlong local municipality, the organisation will join forces on the resort’s greening and beautification.
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