Agriculture MEC, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi plants a tree to mark the launch of Arbour Week at Phomolong in the Waterberg district last week. (Photo: John Phadu)

The Phomolong community, which is mainly dominated by the low cost housing units, was given trees so that each household should plant one in their yard. Magadzi told the gathering that the water affairs and forestry department led a campaign last year to plant a million trees.

This initiative was led by President Thabo Mbeki. A total of 681 749 trees have been planted nationally and around 33 107 of these trees were planted in this province. The campaign also includes the greening of the entire country, which is aimed at changing the landscape.

Magadzi added that the water affairs and forestry department has already set aside 20 000 trees that were bought from emer- ging nurseries, in order to give them to people who are interested in planting trees. These people will, however, be required to register their names for monitoring purposes.

“Our tree-planting programme is in favour of the indigenous trees that also serve as a source of fruit and other benefits such as trees used for medicinal purposes,” said Magadzi. This year’s Arbour Week tree is the harpephyllum caffrum, commonly known as the wild plum or mothekele in Sesotho. - John Phadu