Chante Venter, who has been living in the Transkei since February this year, wants to help the children and save a forest.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: WATCH & SHARE: Support woman’s Transkei mission to give children toys and clothes

Chante’s journey of giving entailed raising R10 000 to buy items from SPCA charity shops along the way, to fill her car to the brim with clothes, toys, games and sports equipment for the Transkei children.

Since then, Chante has thrown herself in her work with the children, and now they are looking to help the environment too.

It has been an incredible journey. From the day I started this project, it has meant so much to me, to see how people can come together to create something beautiful, and that’s why, when I heard about the reforestation project, I had to get involved.

Every year, invasive species, livestock, and unsustainable use threaten the unique forests of the Wild Coast.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: WATCH: Chante’s wonderful journey of giving needs your support

This initiative calls attention to these issues and invites festival goers to make a difference.

A festival called the Mdumbi Green Festival from May 18 to 20, will raise awareness around the ongoing efforts by Transcape to rehabilitate the entire Mdumbi Point Forest, create opportunities to educate people around the importance of forests and will eventually even bring a lasting economic boost to the area by starting small nurseries in the community to help with rehabilitation efforts.

Chante mentioned that the festival will introduce an indigenous garden on the festival site, one that can be used for educational purposes and as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by Transcape to rehabilitate the entire Mdumbi Coastal Forest.

Wayne Barton, representative of one of the festival’s chief sponsors Tata Waste, said he sees the planting of these 600 trees, shrubs and indigenous flowering plants (from 30 different indigenous species) as an enormous challenge, but in that challenge, they see opportunity to engage with everyday South Africans about caring for their environment.

Many South Africans are unaware of the impact humans have on our forests, and how much of our land needs reforestation – said Wayne.

Apart from its reforestation efforts, this event will feature live entertainment from some of South Africa’s top acts including Richard Stirton – the winner of The Voice SA and top-rated electronic duo the Kiffness.

Local sustainable businesses, food markets, cultural demonstrations and a host of regional and local artists, will keep the whole family entertained throughout the weekend.

Attendees of the festival can experience a wide range of educational and interactive activities for the whole family during the three-day event.

There is plenty to do and see focused on sustainability and green living, from the mass greening initiative to readily available information on recycling and waste reduction, with waste sorting training and services provided for and by the locals to ensure that the festival itself leaves as little a carbon footprint as possible.

By actively clearing invasive species and planting a diversity of indigenous trees and plants in this once densely forested area, we aim to effectively control alien vegetation in the area, conserve the biodiversity of this unique environment and increase its surface area for future generations and the many creatures that depend on it for their survival.

The rehabilitation project will also contribute to employment opportunities for members of the disadvantaged local community and offer concerned individuals the opportunity to give something back to the Earth in a real and meaningful way.

The efforts during the festival are set within a greater plan and when the festival is over, the Transcape team, together with Sebenza Wholesale Farms South Coast, a leading partner in the reforestation efforts, will keep working towards a long term goal of a healthy forest and protection of the natural heritage in the Transkei. Eric Doucha, owner of Sebenza Farms, said that they were excited to be part of such a meaningful initiative.

The message from Chante was resounding:

If you come to the Mdumbi Green Fair, you’ll not just have a great experience, but you could go a long way to saving this Transkei coastal forest.

About Transcape NPO: Established in 2004, Transcape aims to help the communities of the Nyandeni sub-district to tackle their significant health, social, educational and economic needs. All proceeds generated from the Festival are used for Transcape’s development initiatives in the area.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter andInstagram

For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033