The pupils of Bert’s Bricks Primary School danced, sang and actively participated in a tree-planting ceremony to mark Arbor Month on 12 September 2019.
Tiger Brands and Food & Trees for Africa are on a mission to address the issues of food security and accessible nutrition through this initiative. They partnered with the community of Potchefstroom to host the event at the primary school last Thursday.
Danny Kgampe, an educator and programme director, opened the event and Miles Molewa, the departmental head of languages, welcomed all the stakeholders and guests. She briefly shared its purpose and the significance of Arbor Month.
Ismail Wadee, a representative from Tiger Brands, shared his knowledge of the environment and the importance of looking after it to ensure its sustainability. “The tree planting ceremony forms part of Tiger Brand’s participation in Arbor month and aligns with our objective to address issues of food security and accessible nutrition, whilst at the same time acknowledging the tremendous environmental benefit that urban greening has for society,” says Ismail.
The learners from grade R and 4 entertained the audience with musical and cultural items.
At the end of the formalities, an LSen (Learners with Special Educational Needs) educator, Louise van Niekerk, thanked all the stakeholders and guests for attending the event. She also thanked Tiger Brands and Food & Trees for Africa for the initiative.
Jeminah Seqela-Mkhize from Food & Trees for Africa then did interactive activities with the learners. She also shared a few important tips and knowledge about trees.
The Gr. 5A and B pupils then assembled where the trees would be planted. Jeminah taught them the right way to plant trees. With her guidance, Tiger Brands’ staff planted the first tree to demonstrate how to do it. The learners then went ahead and planted the others.
According to Danny, approximately 17 trees had been planted on the school’s premises so far. Food & Trees for Africa said there would be 25 trees in all, (five fruit and 20 shade). They included plum, wild olive and evergreen trees.
In collaboration with Food & Trees for Africa, Tiger Brands plans to plant more trees in Ikageng, around the Tiger Brands King Foods factory and in other parts of Potchefstroom.
According to a press release by Tiger Brands Limited, since 2017 Tiger Brands and Food & Trees for Africa have been working together planting trees and sustainable food gardens across the country, and this effort will lead to approximately 5000 trees being planted in total.
