World Environment Week - 2 June 2010

The 2nd of June 2010 marked yet another day of greening activities in Olievenhoutbosch during the World Environment Week. Food and Trees for Africa and Audi again spent the whole day with the residents of that community planting more trees on top of the 2 700 that had been already planted in the area.

This event, (the World Environment week which leads to the 5th June, the official World Environment day) is highly celebrated annually all over the world. This year’s theme is Global Day for Positive Environment Action.

The event started on a high note with Solomon Mondlane calling upon the residents over the loud hailer to attend the “Audi – Trees for Homes Distribution event” which was to start at 09h30.

FTFA was represented by its Community Foresters; Mr. Sipho Mathe, Mr. Lucky Xaba, Ms. Mookho Chaka and by the FTFA-Trees for Homes Programme Manager, Ms.Joanne Rolt. We also had a representative from Tshwane Metro by the name of Samkheliswe Chunda and the media representative.

Mr. Mathe welcomed everyone who was present and he thanked the community for their commitment in the Trees for Homes programme. He did not forget to mention the sponsor, Audi for having committed themselves to that community of Olievenhoutbosch.

Mr. Mathe introduced the representative from Tshwane Metro, Mrs. Chunda to welcome the people of Olievenhoutbosch and the whole team from FTFA. “The Tshwane Metro appreciates the partnership between the community of Olievenhoutbosch, Audi and FTFA. It is with this reason that we are able to stand here and celebrate with the world, the World Environment day.” said Mrs. Chunda. She encouraged the community to look after their trees and to teach their children about the importance of trees. She then welcomed each and everyone who was present at the event.

We then had Ms. Mooko Chaka who told the community more about FTFA and its projects that had been successfully run for the last 20 years in South Africa. She went further to emphasize that without the sponsors like Audi, FTFA could not have survived.

“It is up to us the community to take care of our trees donated to us by Audi through FTFA.” said Ms. Mooko.

Mrs. Chunda made the vote of thanks, then Ms. Mooko Chaka did the “Tree Planting Demonstration”. After that, the community were handed their trees. 500 trees were handed on the day; 250 shade trees and 250 fruit trees. “Wow, this is very beautiful. Audi just chose us out of many communities. We are the lucky ones.” said Mr. Motaung who was happy to have his tree.

“I am happy that you came to this community again. Last time I did not have an opportunity to grab mine as I was at work. Thank you Audi for making me have my tree.” said Mrs. Mxosa.

All went well, and the CBEs assisted much in the distribution of trees and ensuring that everyone who collected a tree had an invitation form handed over back to them. This happened at extension 24, and then some other 100 trees that were left were handed to the residents of another extension in Olievenhoutbosch.