August 25, 2006
By Thabang Mokoka
EXECUTIVE mayor Amos Masondo will launch the Greening Soweto Legacy Project with the planting of 6 000 trees in Soweto on Arbor Day.
The launch on Friday, 1 September, will involve business people and more than 12 000 learners from Soweto.
Trees will brighten up the Soweto landscape
Arbor Week is observed internationally at the beginning of Spring to promote awareness for the need to plant and maintain trees. The initiative was started in Nebraska in the US, in 1872.
In South Africa, the day has been adapted to encourage the planting of indigenous trees, especially in disadvantaged communities who often live in barren areas.
The Greening Soweto Legacy Project is dedicated to greening and beautifying the township ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
The tree planting ceremony aims to highlight the importance of National Arbor Week, enhance the aesthetics of Soweto and ensure that a green legacy remains post 2010.
Arbor Month will focus on developing civic pride and ownership of the city's open spaces, limiting illegal dumping, litter and vandalism and creating healthy environments to position Soweto as a preferred heritage tourism route in the build-up to 2010.
"We want to plant trees in the record-breaking time of 10 minutes. We invite community members to come," said the communications and marketing manager of City Parks, Jenny Moodley, adding that the project aims to change the landscape of Soweto.
The trees will be planted along Old Potchefstroom Road, Vincent Road, Mooki Road and Roodepoort Road.
To ensure the day runs smoothly, the Greening Soweto task team set up by Johannesburg City Parks has secured the assistance of the region, City Year (a youth mentorship programme), Johannesburg Water, Johannesburg Road agency, City Power, the Gauteng department of education, Johannesburg Metro Police Department, South African Police Service, Emergency Management Services and ward councillors to assist in planting the trees.
In his budget speech for the 2006/07 financial year on 24 May, executive mayor Amos Masondo said, "The greening of Soweto will receive R7,6-million, which will primarily be driven by the planting of street trees to enhance the quality of life and the environment; in 2006/07, 5 000 trees will be planted."
The trees were earlier this year donated to the managing director of City Parks, Luther Williamson, by Flora RSA in De Wildt, near Tshwane, after hearing about the greening initiative.
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