Blind SA welcomed the start of spring by taking part in an inspiring Spekboom planting and training session at the Colourful Splendour Nursery in Honeydew.

The initiative, launched in partnership with Innovative Entrepreneurs and Wheelchair Basketball South Africa, combines environmental sustainability with economic empowerment by training persons with disabilities to grow and market Spekboom plants.

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Often called the miracle plant, Spekboom is celebrated for its remarkable ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release clean oxygen, making it a powerful ally in the fight against climate change.

The project equips blind, visually impaired and mobility-impaired individuals with the knowledge and skills to cultivate and sell Spekboom to industries that are significant carbon emitters, such as the motor and industrial sectors.

The initiative has a dual purpose. Environmentally, it promotes large-scale planting of Spekboom to purify the air, lower carbon emissions and encourage greener communities.

Economically, it empowers persons with disabilities through entrepreneurship and income generation, ensuring they play a leading role in creating sustainable solutions rather than being left on the sidelines.

“This initiative is a testament to the power of inclusion. By uniting individuals from different disability groups under one goal, we’re not only protecting the planet but also opening pathways to financial independence and social participation,” said Lerato Jiyane, a Blind SA representative.

Blind SA and its partners are calling on corporates, high-emission industries and environmentally conscious organisations to support the project by purchasing Spekboom plants grown by persons with disabilities.

Each purchase contributes to a cleaner environment and helps build a more inclusive sustainable economy.

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