Mall of the South supports National Greening Programme by donating trees
The mall is helping to restore nature by planting fruit and indigenous trees, promoting sustainability and a healthier environment for generations to come.
Mall of the South has partnered with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to support the One Million Trees campaign, a flagship initiative under the National Greening Programme.
This year, the campaign runs under the theme “My Tree, My Oxygen. Plant Yours Today.”
In celebration of Heritage Month and its theme “Our Children, Our Heritage,” Mall of the South has donated 33 trees to the programme.
These trees were carefully selected to combat food insecurity through fruit production, while also preserving indigenous species that provide oxygen and protect biodiversity.
The initiative underscores the importance of creating a healthier environment for generations to come.
The DFFE oversees forestry in South Africa and has committed to planting at least two million trees annually over the next five years as part of the Presidential Ten Million Trees Flagship Project.
The One Million Trees campaign is central to this vision, encouraging individuals, communities, businesses, NGOs, and other organisations across the country to contribute towards planting ten million trees by 2026.
Hester Smith, centre manager at Mall of the South, highlighted the mall’s commitment to sustainability, saying:
“Our children are our future. By planting trees now, we are protecting their tomorrow. Fruit trees provide food and help fight hunger, while indigenous trees protect wildlife and produce oxygen. Together, they are a valuable gift for our communities.”
Mall of the South’s contribution forms part of its broader partnership with the DFFE and aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national greening goal.
Through this collaboration, the mall demonstrates its dedication to environmental restoration, sustainability, and community upliftment.
The mall is also encouraging residents in the South of Johannesburg to actively participate in building a future where children inherit not only a proud heritage, but also a thriving and sustainable planet.
Now in its fourth year, the One Million Trees campaign has grown into a unifying movement that brings together South Africans from all walks of life, including government, businesses, civil society, traditional leaders and youth, to pledge and plant trees for a greener, healthier future.
