City of Johannesburg Mayor unveils ambitious plan to plant 200 000 trees in Johannesburg

Highlighting Johannesburg’s position as one of Africa’s leading green cities, City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero announced an ambitious plan to plant 200 000 trees, particularly in townships, schools, and community clinics.

Morero made this announcement at the 2nd African Forum on Urban Forests, held at The Forum The Campus on March 18, which will be running until March 21.

He emphasised the city’s commitment to tackling climate change through extensive urban greening initiatives. “We want to change the complexion of our townships over the next three years,” he said. “We have made a commitment to plant 200 000 trees, but this is not just about trees; it’s about transforming our urban spaces and creating a healthier environment for our residents.”

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He also shared the urgency of restoring polluted streams, notably rivers that have been affected by informal settlements that have encroached on their banks. “To rehabilitate these crucial water sources, the city has initiated a project involving community-driven water warriors, tasked with cleaning and preserving Johannesburg’s streams. It’s very important that we restore them.”

Morero’s efforts are rooted in a broader collaboration with local businesses, who are joining forces with the city to fund environmental projects. “The view of the city to call upon the private sector to partner with us is beginning to yield results,” he said, expressing gratitude for the support that will help bolster the city’s cleaning programmes.

Morero didn’t shy away from addressing regional challenges, sharing how Johannesburg plans to extend its support to neighbouring cities, like Matola in Mozambique, which faces severe flooding issues. “We are trying to help them find solutions, which are natural solutions to the problems that they have in Matola.”

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Morero emphasised the need for ongoing dialogue and action beyond the conference. “We must create a living organisation. And if it means the city must commit, to taking up the secretariat, we’ll do so. I’m raising this thing because such organisations [urban forests] must have life. It shouldn’t be just from time to time, we just meet on a conference.

“This platform must be a living platform to influence how we do things in Africa,” he concluded, inspiring attendees to take actionable steps toward a greener urban future.

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Urban Forestry officer and co-ordinator of the FAO Green Cities Initiative Simone Borelli said: “This should not be viewed as an ending point, but as a starting point. I think about sharing the benefit, making sure that people have access to nature because nature makes them healthier and happier, and it reduces climate change.”

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