Green Route, Africa's foremost Destination Management Company, creating extraordinary experiences into six countries.
Tel: +27 (0)21 447 4021 Fax: +27 (0)21 447 4031
P O Box 12999, Mowbray, 7705 Head Office:
170 Lower Main Road,
Observatory, Cape Town,
South Africa www.greenroute.co.za
South Africa’s National Arbour Week runs annually from 1st to 7th September. The purpose is to encourage individuals, schools and businesses to participate in community greening events and raise awareness of the importance of trees in our society.
In recognition of our environmental responsibilities and in celebration of Arbour Week, Green Route arranged for its employees to plant trees in the township of Khayelitsha. On Saturday 6th September 2008, a group of Green Routers, their partners and family members helped to plant five indigenous trees in the grounds of the Freeman Bavuma Memorial Church.
On arrival at the church, located in the Khayelitsha suburb of Makhaza, the group of 20 was warmly welcomed by the Reverend Ndimbongo and his congregation. Everyone in the neighbourhood had turned out to watch the Tree Planting Ceremony.
The youth choir, dressed in colourful, traditional clothing, danced for the group while singing beautiful songs of thanks. Then it was the turn of the children of the congregation, who presented a piece about the cultural importance of trees and everyone joined in with more singing and dancing. Kerry Raffray, Managing Director of Green Route, then presented the Reverend Ndimbongo with a small donation for the youth choir.
After the opening festivities, we collectively set about the task at hand. The five trees selected for planting were the Wild Olive, Sand Olive, Coastal Silver Oak, Camphor Bush and White Pear. These trees were carefully chosen to match the conditions of the township – all are hardy trees that fare well in windy, coastal and sandy soil conditions. Green Route also arranged for the repair of the leaking tap on the church premises and presented a hosepipe and sprinkler system to the Reverend to ensure that the congregation has the correct means to water the trees.
The hot sun beat down as the digging began but with so many helpers, the work went quickly. Once the soil was composted, the trees planted and the mulch and tree bark laid, the celebrations commenced again, with the Green Route group being led into the church for a festive end to a wonderful day. We left feeling touched by the strong sense of community and love and happiness shared with us by the congregation.
Arbour Day was first celebrated in South Africa in 1983. The Government later decided to extend the celebration from a day to a week in recognition of the collective enthusiasm for this cause and so in 1999, National Arbour Week was born.
Planting trees is a practical necessity to ensure the sustainable management of our environment in the future. Apart from improving the health and beauty of the local environment, trees also play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of our communities, providing us with building materials, food and medicine and for some – a means of livelihood.
