Greening of Olivenhoutbosch (Interim Report)

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We will update that later!!!

2. INTRODUCTION

Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) is the first and only South African social enterprise addressing greening, climate change action, food security, sustainable natural resource use and management, with a strong focus on environmental and global warming education and awareness.

FTFA’s mission is to contribute to a healthy and sustainable quality of life for all through environmental awareness and greening programmes. Through sponsors like Audi South Africa, FTFA is able to accomplish its mission and fulfill its objectives through the planting of trees and the transfer of skills and knowledge to the community of Olivenhoutbosch through training workshops and ongoing support.

The objectives are:

· To contribute to greening, sustainable natural resource management and food security

· To create an awareness of the benefits of environmental upliftment activities amongst all communities of southern Africa

· To work in partnership with government, the private sector and civil societyTo contribute to the design, implementation and management of sustainable greening projects

· To alleviate poverty, develop skills and contribute food security for the numerous communities that apply for assistance

FTFA’s objectives are being realized because of the generosity of sponsors like Audi South Africa who so generously funded 6500 trees to the community of Olivenhoutbosch through FTFAs Trees for Homes programme.

Trees for Homes is a highly successful and innovative public greening initiative that contributes nationally in a visible way to more sustainable development and enhanced environments. Trees for Homes started in 2000 and aims to address climate change whilst improving quality of life and contributing to the development of sustainable settlements by giving low-income communities trees to plant at their homes, as well as providing training, some employment and environmental awareness. Environmental issues are inherently linked with quality of life.

Environmentally sound human settlements, where air quality is good, housing is energy and water efficient, and planting provides green ‘lungs’ or even food security, may be seen as healthy, sustainable settlements that support quality living environments.

The Trees for Home programme contributes directly to improved access to environmentally sustainable housing for the historically disadvantaged majority. The programme’s activities provide non-credit assistance (primarily trees, information and training support) to communities for the purpose of improving their capacity to plant and maintain trees in their neighbourhoods.

It also enhances the participation of low-income communities in local level decision-making and in improving environmental management capacity by forging new partnerships between provincial and municipal representatives, and communities.

Since its inception the Trees for Homes programme has organised the planting of over 450 000 trees and training of over 5 400 community based educators at settlements across South Africa, thus creating well spaced urban forest that addresses climate change, adds value in shade and food production as well as a multitude of environmental best practices.

Aims and objectives of the Trees for Homes Programme

Trees for Homes aims to improve quality of life and contribute to the development of sustainable settlements by providing low-income communities with indigenous and fruit trees to plant at their homes, training, some employment and environmental awareness which will:

· improve air quality and contribute to climate change through carbon sequestration;
· provide food in the form of fruit;
· improve the thermal efficiency of the unit;
· provide a potential source of food (in the case of fruit trees);
· improve the economic (resale) value of the unit;
· provide shade;
· assist with drainage;
· decrease noise pollution;
· help to settle dust;
· contribute to soil management and reduce run off;
· develop green suburbs and contribute to civic pride;
· provide a habitat for wildlife and improved biodiversity;
· contribute to economic development and creation of jobs at a local level by coordinating with local emerging nursery businesses;
· provide skills and training for Community Based Educators (CBEs);
· provide some job opportunities for CBEs;
· increase environmental awareness through the CBEs locally and the publicity campaign nationally;
· improve the aesthetics of these suburbs;
· develop sustainable human settlements.
The impacts are measured by tracking the number of communities where the programme is being implemented, and documenting impacts the programme has on these.

The objectives are:

· To contribute to the government's urban renewal, greening, climate change, LandCare and urban forestry programmes.
· To deliver at least one tree per low cost housing unit.
· To provide instructions on the planting and care of the trees.
· To promote the value of urban greening and greater environmental awareness.
· To provide further information on gardening for new and existing homeowners.
· To contribute towards the development of emerging nursery businesses.
· To contribute to food security in the case of fruit trees being distributed.
· To facilitate better relations between communities and their local authorities.

3. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

In terms of numbers, the Greening Olivenhoutbosch aimed to deliver 6000 trees to low cost housing units in Olivenhoutbosch. These trees will result in 2.255 tons of carbon dioxide being sequestrated. (Number of trees divide by 2.66 = tons of carbon dioxide sequestrated).

The average low cost house is sited on 250m². One hectare is equal to 10 000m². There are therefore 40 houses per hectare with one tree per household.6000 households multiplied by 250m² = 1500000 m². It can therefore be said that through this project 150 hectares of trees have been planted. The delivery of trees and increased environmental awareness for beneficiaries is the primary output of the project.

4. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

4.1. MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS

On the 10 February, a meeting was held at Audi South Africa to discuss the roll-out of the 6000 trees in Olivenhoutbosch. Prior to the meeting invitations and agendas (Appendix 1) were sent to all relevant parties.

At the meeting it was decided that the training workshop would take place on 9th March atOlivenhoutbosch Community Hall. The start time for the workshop is 9h00 – but volunteers must be invited for 08h30 to ensure that they are there on time. It was confirmed that FTFA would pay for the catering for the workshop and that PERSON RESPONSIBLE would supply FTFA with contact details for the caterer.

It was decided that Local Councilor Stephina Morudi would supply FTFA with names of CBE’s to be trained with contact details before 2th March.

It was decided that the distribution of the 500 trees would take place on 16th March at Steve Tshwete.

The events checklist was discussed in detail (Appendix 2).

After the meeting Sipho Mathe and Sam Chunda Tshwane Metro officer went to the location where the trees would be planted and took photographs of some of the houses before the project started.

INCLUDE INFORMATION ON ALL MEETINGS THAT TOOK PLACE DURING THE ROLL OUT OF THE PROJECT

4.2. TRAINING OF COMMUNITY BASED EDUCATORS

The workshop was well planned though it started in a low note. We had a delay of about 45 minutes because of the unavailability of a hall. The people in charge wanted an upfront payment, of which Mr. Sipho Mathe was not aware of. He had initially organized everything with the Counselor Stephana Morudu; and he was sure that everything was in order. The issue of a hall became a challenge and delayed the start of the workshop until the Tshwane Municipality representative, Mrs. Sam Chunda intervened. It was finally agreed that, the Tshwane Municipality will pay for the hall.

The attendance was very good. We had a total number of 54 participants.We started with the registrations of the participants, and then Mr. Sipho Mathe welcomed all those who were present including the Tshwane Municipality representative, Mrs. Sam Chuda.

Mr. Sipho Mathe introduced the sponsor, being Audi to the CBEs. He thanked the sponsor for their support towards the “Trees for Homes Programme”. He also briefed the CBEs on the FTFA’s background.

Mrs. Chuda was requested to introduce herself, to the delight of the participants. She explained her role and their involvement in greening and combating climate change. He also emphasized on how happy there are to be working hand in hand with Food & Trees for Africa as a Municipality. “Food & Trees is the most wonderful organization to work with.” She said. She also thanked Audi for their support in the Trees for Homes Programme. “Without Audi, such a programme in Olivenhoutbosch wouldn’t be possible.” She said.

Mr. Edwin Makushu co-facilitated the workshop with Mr. Mathe and Mr. Solomon Mondlane. Mr. Makushu first had to get the expectations of the CBEs. Some expected to be permanently employed; some to learn more about the trees and some had no idea of what they wanted to achieve from the workshop. He also went on to explain the roles of the CBEs and what would be expected of FTFA.

Mr. Solomon Mondlane went on to explain the CBEs’ contract form. This is where some pulled out from the workshop. Those who remained signed the contracts with the help of Mr. Mondlane before breaking up for lunch.

Mr. Makushu divided the group into three, and gave them different tasks to work on which they were later on required to do presentations as per group. Some of the topics covered were; water management, care and maintenance; and urban benefits.

After a wonderful presentation by the CBEs, Mr. Mathe went through the same topics with the CBEs. We then took a break for lunch. After lunch Mr. Mathe with the help of Mr. Edwin and Mr. Solomon conducted a tree planting demonstration. After that the participants were given evaluation forms.

Overall; the participants were very happy about the workshop. “I got a lot which I leant from the workshop.” said one CBE.

The participants were much aware about the sponsor and the support they were giving to FTFA in greening Olivehoutbosch.

Date of Workshop: 9th March 2010
Venue: Olivenhoutbosch Community Hall
Facilitators: Sipho Mathe, Edwin Makhushu and Solomon Modlane
Number of Volunteers: 54
The following feedback includes questions that were put forward to the CBE’s in the form of a questionnaire on completion of the workshop and the CBEs’ responses to these:

Participants’ expectations were4;

· To learn more about trees.
· To make money.
· To get a job.
· To learn about planting trees.

Did participants get what they expected?

· They got 50% of what they expected such as how to plant the trees. They were disappointed that they couldn’t get the job and money which they expected.

What they liked about the workshop

· The tree-planting demonstration
· They liked the group presentation
· They liked the way the workshop was conducted0; in a simple way

What they didn’t like about the workshop

· The CBEs had nothing negative to say. This clearly shows that they fully enjoyed the workshop.

What they learnt that was important to them

· To them, everything was important and knowing that the environment is very important and need to be protected.

Easy to understand

· The workshop was conducted in a way that was very easy to understand. The facilitators used almost all the languages used in this country to make it easy for everyone to participate in the workshop.

Other comments

· Overall, the workshop was a success and the participants were very happy.

CONCLUSION

Overall; the participants were very happy about the workshop. “I got a lot which I leant from the workshop.” said one CBE.

The participants were much aware about the sponsor and the support they were giving to FTFA in greening Olivehoutbosch.

The following volunteers were trained as Community Based Educators:

3.3. EVENTS & DISTRIBUTIONS

nurseries where possible or the nearest nursery with available and appropriate trees. For this project 250 of fruit treees and 250 of indigenous trees.FTFA orders trees from emerging were procured from Rainbow fruit trees and indigenous from Sunkloof. The trees are delivered with branded tree tags attached (Appendix 7).

The year 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and comomemorate this, Audi South Africa together with Food & Trees for Africa lauch the planting of 6000 trees to the community of Olivenhoutbosch which is few kilometers away of their offices. The event took place on the 16th March during the water week in Steve Tshwete Secondary school in ext 21 in Olivenhoutbosch the only secondary school in the area. We were supposed to hold the event in an open grounds near the ABSA bank in ext 36, during the preparation of the event we fail to secure a tent and we feared that the weather may disturb the event then we moved to a school nearby. The celebration was graced by the attendence of the board of Audi South Africa, the General Manager: Audi SA: Sale & Marketing Mr. Ryan Searle,The Founder of FTFA Ms Jeunesse Park and The MMC of Environment Ms Tessa Ernest on behalf the Tswane Mayor.
The programme of the started immediately after the arrival of the guest Audi SA which was opened by the acting pricipal of the school Ms Pasha and followed by to school choir who sang the national anthem and other song which kept the audience on their feet. The first speaker Ms Jeunesse Park the fouder of FTFA took the stage followed buy a cultural group with a dance song were students join in singing.The Guest speaker Mr. Ryan Searle spoke on their involment into this project and asked the community to look after these trees. He went further “Environmental issues are all our cocerns and responsibilities” and after him the MMC Ms Tessa Ernest who arrive late took the the stage and spoke about the work they have done in the past together with FTFA.

After all speeches Lucky Xaba a community Forester lead the delegates to planting ceremony in the community were the hole were already dug.

The community members remain in the school to receive the trees to go and plant in their homes, we have 250 fruit trees and 250 Indigenous trees.

On the 27th March we distributed another 500 Indigenous trees in ext 36 Olivenhoutbosch in celebration of Earth Hour. The community come on time and even those who didn`t have the invitation were also there to ask for trees. The truck which delived the trees was used to control the crowed.

You must refer to the following appendices:

· VIP Invitation (Appendix 8)
· Programme (Appendix 9)
· Community Invitation (Appendix 10)
· Media Release (Appendix 11)
· Media Coverage (Appendix 12)
· Newsleaf (Appendix 13)
· Website (Appendix 14)

The community is very appreciative of the generous donation received – YOU MUST GET A

THANK YOU LETTER FROM THE COMMUNITY. (Appendix 15)

3.5. TREES EVALUATIONS

When trees are planted through the Trees for Homes programme three tree evaluations are scheduled in order to ensure the survival of the trees. The first assessment takes place one week after the distribution of the trees, the second three months after the distribution and the third six months after the distribution. CBEs used forms in order to track the survival rate (Appendix 16).

YOU MUST WRITE A NARRATIVE REPORT FOR EACH EVALUATION.

Moshate

Like all other areas, Moshate is also rural. Trees in this area were distributed very quickly within short period of time. And this has also showed love of trees by the community. “i was here before any one else so that I can be the one first to receive the tree and I managed” said one of the community member who real showed that he real loves trees.

Masha

Large number of community attended the distribution and some of them didn’t receive trees because were not having invitation card. Next time when you come you must bring plenty of trees so that they can be enough for every one of us said the angry old man Mr. sibiya who was not invited.

3.The table above is a summary of the trees distributed versus the surviving in respect to each and every area.

These areas are one of the remote area found under Burgersfort just some few kilometer from little town called steelpoort. This area follows under Great Tubatse municipality. Ha-mashe being remote areas as it is. Is also located close to mining company and some few processing plants. These are source of carbon dioxide emissions. When the sun is about to set the area is covered with smoke layer which reduces visibility in the area. Apart from this all these areas are located in flat area with sparsely shrubs as result of this wind blows to the extended that it also remove the roofs of houses and also create some dust around some settlement. Water also proved to be the problem to the area and lastly goats feed themselves on the leaves of the trees however community adapted some strategic majors of dealing with these problems. Mrs naume thebe added by saying “local problems needs local solution”.

Picture showing the bricks placed around the tree to prevent intrusion of goats
During random evaluation we came across one of the house owner who didn’t plant her trees when FTFA officer Emmanuel sinthumule asked her, she said “I didn’t plant the tree because I don’t have bricks or drum to put around the tree and am afraid to plant it because goats will destroy it since I don’t have fence then am waiting to buy one bag of cement so I can have bricks to put around the tree. She added by saying I love this tree and I don’t want to lose it. I keep on watering it sometimes I move it from the house and put outside so that the tree can have sunlight.” Said Mrs. Mavis chiloene who didn’t plant the tree.

Driekop is one of the rural in Burgersfort which have water problem, as we were taught by a CBE’s weAll 100% said yes they know that THE RAITH FOUNDATION they are the one who gave them trees and their happy about this valuable donation.

Different answers came out when asking the benefits of the trees75% of the community indicated that trees can save as windbreaks and 6% indicated that shade is also one of the benefits and the remaining 19% says at the later stage tree brings food in the form of fruits which can supplement food since most of people are poor in this area.

4. CONCLUSION

Project is still doing very well, with much of the effort by the community to ensure the survival of the trees. Mr. Sinthumule who is the coordinator of this project “am inspired by the effort that the community is doing. He added by saying this people they didn’t sit down and say nothing we can do but they try to introduced system that safe guard the survival of the trees” are using water that we have used for bath with sunlight soap. 71% said that we water trees during weekends when we are not working whereas the other 29% said we don’t water at all we rally on rain water. 2 litter bottles is also helping a lot in terms of water conservation, I like the strategy of the bottle” said one of the community members.

82% indicated that to have your trees being good it goes beyond just planting the tree but also need to ensure that trees is secured and have water at least twice a week whereas the other 18% indicated that the trees are bad because of scarcity of water and goats once feed on the trees but now they are developing shoots that shows that it will survive.

About 93% of the community indicated that they have full information regarding this trees because we were told several time .whereas 7% says they didn’t have fully information but when CBE’s who represent Moshate, came around for tree visit they explained everything to the extent where we understood everything

78% extent the gratitude to the lady whom the trust and believe that she knows her job perfectly and make it her fist priority to see that everyone who has the tree understood everything said Jane Leruleng who also added by saying if it was not for Mrs Nauome Thebe I was not going to have the this trees surviving (touching her tree). 22% said we have understood clearly during the day of the distribution and we also referred to trees tags that explain it very well.

63% indicated that everbodody does not have time but you create time for looking after your tree at the other hand other 37% saying since we don’t work time is always there to look after the tree.

47% said you can’t clear distinguish whether weather plays are role because trees are not yet adotpeted to the soil but after it has adapted to the soil we can able to say if weather is playing a critical role in the condition of the treesthe other 53% said yes the tree condition can be inluced by the weather and other external forces.