EDTEA educates learners about the importance of planting trees

The Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) from the Zululand District visited Nkwambazi Primary School on Wednesday last week.
The main aim of the visit was to celebrate nature and educate the learners about the importance of wetlands, as well as plant trees around the school because they produce oxygen.
EDTEA said that wetlands are considered valuable because they clean water, recharge water supplies, reduce flood risks, and provide fish and wildlife with a good habitat. In addition, wetlands provide recreational opportunities, aesthetic benefits, sites for research and education, as well as commercial fishery benefits. The department then asked the learners some questions and rewarded them with tokens of appreciation for correct answers, which motivated the children to be proactive and concentrate during the teaching / learning session.
Department officials mentioned the importance of planting trees, explaining that some trees have tap roots and others fibrous roots. They further explained the difference between the two root systems: a tap root system has a single main root that grows down, while a fibrous root system forms a dense network of roots that is closer to the soil surface.
The school was represented by Zakhele Xulu, who is the school principal (situated in Ward 1 under the leadership of Induna Simelane in Nkwambazi Village, Louwsburg).
Xulu thanked the representatives for their visit and for encouraging the learners to be environmentally conscious with regards to climate change, soil erosion, and the importance of planting to save soil.
The educators, learners, SGB members, EDTEA representatives, principal and members of staff all planted trees around the school premises. It was a successful initiative that created responsibility for the learners to water the trees, nurture and protect them.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.