Spekboom drive blends nature and spiritual purpose

In celebration of Mandela Day, the Sathya Sai Global Council partnered with the BAPS Hindu Temple in North Riding to plant 500 spekboom plants, a powerful indigenous species renowned for its ability to absorb carbon and improve air quality.

Held on July 18, the planting drive brought together volunteers from both organisations, including elders, youth, and families. The atmosphere was cheerful and united, as everyone worked together with a shared goal to give back to the planet.

Spekboom is often praised as one of South Africa’s ‘miracle plants’ because of its ability to remove harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is also water-wise and well-suited to Johannesburg’s climate, making it an ideal choice for the temple gardens.

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According to Urmil Purohit, head of landscaping at the BAPS Temple, the greening project reflects a deeper purpose. “The temple is not only a place for spiritual growth,” he said, “but also a space for healing the Earth. This project is part of our vision to blend faith and environmental care.”

He thanked the Sathya Sai Global Council for their support and spirit of service, calling the collaboration a success. “It’s heart-warming to see two faith-based communities coming together for the good of our environment,” he added.

Purohit also revealed that the temple has further plans to expand its green spaces by planting more indigenous trees and plants in the coming months.

The event was a reminder that spiritual values and environmental action can go hand in hand. As the spekboom plants take root, they symbolise hope, healing, and the power of unity values that reflect both Mandela’s legacy and the mission of those who participated in this meaningful day.

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