“Are these trees sponsored by Audi SA again?” Asked an old lady in her mid 60s who seemed excited seeing a number of shade and fruit trees delivered from a truck by the Community Centre Park. “Yes gogo. These trees are a gift from Audi SA to the people of this community.” Whispered Mr. Solomon Mondlane, a Community Forester who has been the Project Coordinator for the Audi – Trees for Homes Programme since its launch on 16 March 2010. He is a full time employee for Food & Trees for Africa, FTFA.
Food & Trees for Africa develops, manages and promotes greening, carbon offset, sustainable natural resource management and food security programmes that contribute to poverty alleviation, improved environments, capacity building and skills development. The organisation was founded more than 20 years ago by our own Iron Lady, Jeunesse Park.
FTFA partnered with Audi on 16 March 2010 and the aim was to plant at more than 6800 trees in Olievenhoutbosch in a fight against climate change and to maintain a balance between white surbubs and black townships.
Olievenhoutbosch is one of the ne townships in the Tshwane Municipality. The are many low cost houses built in this area. Most people are unemployed. Some of them are street vendors, carpenters, shoe makers, builders and a number of taxi drivers. It is a fact that many plants were uprooted when the houses, schools, clinics, roads and churches were constructed in this site. The area could be easily defined as a small “desert” in Gauteng.
It is situations like this that pushed Audi SA to invest in the “Greening of Olievenhoutbosch Project”. Audi SA is one of South Africa’s concerned companies. It is also a way to offset its carborn emmission.
“Today is the 10th of the 10th 2010.” Said Mr. Solomon Mondlane in his opening remarks. “The time is exactly 10 minutes past 10. Good morning - green people of Olievenhoutbosch.” He said to the amusement of hundreds of residents from around Olievenhoutbosch. Solomon Mondlane is known for his jokes when addressing the people. He is an entertainer and he makes sure that the message conveyed sinks in the heads of the people.
“We, the Environmental Soldiers are in this community again to continue our struggle in the greening of Olievenhoutbosch. Audi SA and FTFA are on the mission to change this township from a desert to a green township. Let’s shout ‘Ayoba Audi!’” Shouted Solomon. “Ayoba Audi SA!” Responded the happy residents who were waiting patiently under a scorching sun for their promised trees.
Solomon Mondlane then led the community to a ‘greening song’ before introducing his collegues; “Audi goes green!; Audi goes green!; Audi goes green!” What a green event this is. Everyone seem to know the sponsor. “Beautiful green people of Olievenhout, today we are so happy to have the Trees for Homes Programme Manager in our midst, Joanne Rolt. She is the lady behind every success of this programme. She made it possible today here in Olievenhoutbosch.” Said Solomon Mondlane facing to his Manager to an applause of the people.
“We also have Community Foresters in our midst; Sipho Mathe, Edwin Makushu, Emmanuel Sinthumule, Lucky Xaba and Mookho Chakha. These are Environmental soldiers. There are found all over the country pursuing the greening mission. We are glad that they are joining us here in Olievenhoutbosch for this Audi SA – Trees for Homes – 10/10/10 – Tree Distribution Event.” Continued Solomon Mondlane who was a centre of attraction. “... and I also form part of this team.” He added.
“The ladies you see on FTFA t.shirts...” Mondlane said pointing at the group of ten ladies who were interacting and assisting (usheringring) communities members, “... are our Community Based Educators.” Continued Mondlane.
Community Based Educators (CBEs) are community members who benefited from the Audi SA – FTFA community skill development programme. Apart from distributing trees, a number of volunteers are empowered with the environment related empowerment skills. When Audi SA identified Olievenhoutbosch as its home, the first thing that had to be done was to identify interested unemployed community members by the help of local councillors and other community leaders. In this case, fifty community members were identified; a date for a workshop was set and training of the CBEs took place.These Community Based Educators are a bridge between Audi SA/FTFA and the Community of Olivenhoutbosch. Their responsibilities range from visiting houses (Door to Door) distributing event invitation pamphlets and other informative materials such as ‘how to dig a hole’ pamphlets; ushering community members during tree distribution events; and tree evaluations throughout the year.
The CBEs have responsibilities to motivate community members to plant, love and look after their trees; it is their responsibilty to visit houses to check if the trees are planted correctly following all the eight steps of how to plant a tree; to see to it whether their trees are mulched; watered properly and to give more latest news about the environment around Olievenhoutbosch and in South Africa and the world as a whole.
“We also have our guest in our midst, Samkelisiwe Chunda from the Tshwane Municipality.” Continued Solomon with the day’s programme. “The Tshwane Municipality has been with us since the beginning of this project, and we are so thankful to their commitments and love for the community of Olievenhoutbosch.” Said Mr. Mondlane.
“Now, introducing our first speaker for today, please welcome Edwin Makushu!” Shouted Mondlane. Edwin Makushu is a Community Forester who has been with FTFA for the past 3 years. As he approached, the people jubilantly shouted, “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!”
“Green morning Olievenhoutbosch!” Said Edwin to a loud response from the residents. “Green morning Edwin!” responded the people. “Today Audi SA and FTFA is doing it gain; Viva Audi SA viva!” shouted Edwin. “Viva!” responded the community. “Viva FTFA viva.”, “Viva!”, “Viva the community of Olievenhoutbosch viva!”, the community responded very loud, “Viva!”
Edwin briefly explained FTFA programmes to the residents of Olievenhoutbosch. “We have atleast 5 programmes running in our organisation being; Trees for Homes; the programme that brings us here today. Under this programme we only target homes. Then we have Trees for All programme. This programme targets schools and churches. We also have EduPlant programme. With this programme we promote food gardens in schools, and we also run school garden competitions. We also have Food Garden for Africa programme. In motivating our communities towards improved nutrition, FTFA introduced this programme. It is also a way to promote awareness of healthy living, environmental issues, climate change and sustainable resource use e.g. water, trees and waste. And the last one is Bamboo for All. This is a new project at FTFA.”
Edwin briefed the community about the History of FTFA and it’s work thus far. The next speaker was the City of Tshwane representative, Mrs. Samkelisiwe Chunda. She experessed her excitement about the 10/10/10 event and her appreciation to the residents of Olievenhoutbosch, FTFA and the sponsors Audi. “Without companies like Audi SA, such initiatives cannot happen.” She said.
After Mrs. Chunda’s speech, Solomon Mondlane demonstrated to the community on how a tree is planted. After that, the residents were allowed to take their trees as they were promised. It was joy to all the members of the community who wre carrying their trees home. Old and young members of the community joyfully picked the trees of their choice.
Nono Mkhize quoted Mahatma Gandhi when she said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
"It's a job that's never started that takes the longest to finish. As long as we have started greening our township, we will definitely see the results at the end." Said Lucky Ncongwane.
“We need to change the mindset of our people. If we continue doing project like this, we will definitely get our people on board. We want to see them making their own food gardens.” Said Ntate Mofokeng.
“Some of us are becoming more environmentally aware and caring for our township.” Said Themba Maluleka
“Climate change is a reality. And such education on environment is necessary.Thank you FTFA and Audi for opening our eyes.” Said Alex Mabunda.
The event of the 10/10/10 was one of the many events that were organised.
The following events were succesfully celebrated by Audi SA and FTFA in Olievenhoutbosch in the year 2010.
16-Mar-10 Event Audi - International Year of Biodiversity
27-Mar-10 Distribution Audi - Earth Hour
17-Apr-10 Distribution Audi - Global Days of Service
18-Apr-10 Distribution Audi - Global Days of Service
22-Apr-10 Event Audi - Earth Day
29-Apr-10 Event Audi - Earth Day
22-May-10 Distribution Audi - International Day of Biodiveristy
28-May-10 Event Audi - International Day of Biodiveristy
02-Jun-10 Distribution Audi - National Environment Week
05-Jun-10 Distribution Audi - World Environment Day
14-Jun-10 Planting Audi
17-Jun-10 Distribution Audi - World Day to Combat Desertification
01-Sep-10 Event Audi - Arbor Day Celebrations
04-Sep-10 Event Audi - Arbor Month Celebrations
06-Sep-10 Event Audi - Arbor Month Celebrations
16-Sep-10 Distribution Audi - International Day for Preservation of the Ozone Layer
10-Oct-10 Distribution Audi - International Day of Climate Change Action
10-Nov-10 Distribution Audi
