Thousands of trees for Soweto

2008-01-30 10:38

George Matlala

Soweto - When Executive Mayor Amos Masondo led the planting of 6 000 trees to launch Greening Soweto in September 2006, an ambitious project to beautify the massive township ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, he began what has become Johannesburg's "biggest greening revolution".

Since then, 51 821 indigenous trees have been planted along Soweto's streets and in its gardens, says the City of Johannesburg on its official site.

Through Greening Soweto, a legacy project of the World Cup, the city aims to plant more than 300 000 trees in the country's biggest township.

"We are satisfied with the progress of the project," says Jenny Moodley, the spokesperson at Johannesburg City Parks, the agency charged with the mammoth task of implementing it.

With R7.6m set aside for Greening Soweto, it is the city's biggest greening initiative. "It is by far the biggest greening initiative in terms of implementation. The landscape of Soweto is changing for the better."

Johannesburg Water, City Power and Johannesburg Roads Agency are on board to ensure that there is sufficient water and power, and that roads are in good condition.

A sense of urgency

The World Conservation Union and the national Department of Water Affairs and Forestry have also endorsed the programme.

At least 20 000 street trees will be planted this year under Greening Soweto; 50 000 will be distributed in homes. To help reduce costs and fast track the planting, City Parks is developing a tree nursery, to grow its own trees and to supply surplus stock to communities for other greening projects and planting in their gardens.

The nursery will produce up to 100 000 tree seedlings a year. At five years, the seedlings will be large enough to plant on pavements and in parks.

Younger trees will be given to householders to plant in their gardens, particularly where pavements are too narrow for trees.

"There will be a greater sense of urgency this year," Moodley said.

Much focus is also going to be put on awareness programmes. An estimated 15 000 learners from around Johannesburg will be taught about the importance of a clean and green environment.

'It is not only about 2010'

Safety at parks is also high on City Parks's agenda. Police presence will be increased, and those breaking the law or misusing parks will be brought to book.

"We are going to be tougher on the rules of the parks; we need to make sure that parks are ready by 2010," said Moodley.

"We are very confident that 2008 will be a better year for City Parks."

Various organisations, companies, individuals and governments have been working with the City to implement Greening Soweto.

They include Airports Company of South Africa, Talk Radio 702, South Africa's Formula 1 racing legend Jody Scheckter, Rand Water and the governments of Norway and Denmark, which have forked out more than two million rand for the programme.

Moodley says the government, greening organisations, companies and Sowetans have responded positively to it. Many have pledged to take care of the trees way after the final whistle of the World Cup has been blown.

"It is not only about 2010," she says, emphasising that the project will benefit Sowetans after the tournament. - BuaNews

- News24