Tree planting for Arbor Week goes a long way
A total of 18 Mbombela businesses took the opportunity to plant a tree for Arbor Week at Mbhandule Secondary School on September 14. The aim was to make an impact on the school's future and have learners benefit from it.
The schoolchildren were taught the importance of the environment, tourism in South Africa and recycling. They helped the companies to plant their trees.
The goal of Arbor Week is for companies to acknowledge the effects they have on the environment and that it is their responsibility to care and prepare for its future in the country.
The tree-planting event at Mbhandule Secondary was organised by Estelle Roe, the representative board member of Stop Poaching Endangered African Rhino, Robert Makhubele, the headmaster of the school, and Carol Nake.
The latter had suggested this school as she had grown up in this community. Each business had to donate R750 that was used to acquire the necessary equipment and resources to plant a tree.
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The Department of Environment taught learners the importance of recycling and sponsored it with recycling bins. Louis Sibuyi of the honorary rangers explained the importance of tourism for the country and how South Africa depends on it. Cllr Luther Mhaule of Ward 35 in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality thanked the companies that had participated and helped the school.
The trees planted were sponsored by the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Mbombela. The trees planted included sweet thorn, spekboom and fruit trees.
“We are leaving greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere on a regular basis, so it is our responsibility to give back to the environment.
“We are spending time today with this school to educate them on trees and their protection so the human race can survive. We must stop littering so we can protect our environment and have somewhere to live one day,” said Roe.
