Midrand residents get closer to nature during tree planting event

NOORDWYK – The community and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo planted 1 000 trees along Lever Road.

February 20, 2020

Andrei van Wykandreivw@caxton.co.za 2 minutes read

Noordwyk Secondary School learners Cindiwe Mosiane and Nkanyezi Zondi with Noordwyk Secondary School teacher Suzan Tstatsi. Photos: Andrei van Wyk

The local community joined forces with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to plant 1 000 trees in Noordwyk and Country View on 15 February.

Dimakatjo Matjeding, Simon Baloyi and Nontsikelelo Mbolekwa. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Region A manager Joseph Ndou said that the project saw the local community along with the entity’s workers plant 1 000 trees in one hour. City Parks prepared the area by digging holes for the trees that were to be planted along Lever Road. The entity supplied two different kinds of indigenous trees, celtis africana and combretum erythyllum, also known as the white stinkwood and river bushwillow respectively. They also supplied the stakes, spades and strings for the tree planting.

Kaylashan and Kavishan Naidoo plant a tree. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

City park worker Daniel Moloisi. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

Yadiv and Mikha Nankoo. Photo: Andrei van Wyk

Ndou added, “We want the community to be involved in the tree planting to create a sense of ownership among them so they can look after the trees going forward by being there since the creation… We want them to take pride in the green canopy that will come from this day.”

The Noordwyk and Country view community work alongside City Parks. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

“We want the Midrand community to see the trees and take pride in their suburb. We want them to feel that nature has been brought closer to them.”

Ward 112 councillor Lerato Mphefo plants a tree at the community event. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

Mphego Mphego at the tree planting. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

Ward 112 councillor Lerato Mphefo said that she was happy to see the local community go through and assist with the tree planting. She added, “There are many people here who are meeting me for the first time. So I think events like this is great when it comes to strengthening community relations and connections.”

Noordwyk Secondary School environmental committee member Zikhona Mpamba. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

The planting also saw the involvement from the Environmental Committee from Noordwyk Secondary School, a group of learners concerned about the state of the environment and who joined in the day to plant trees. Principal of the school Alex Tau said, “Our committee does a lot of work to look after our school. But they do not think that should be restricted to our school boundaries and we wished to take it out to our local community… We want them to contribute to the community knowing that in the long run, they will be responsible citizens.

Kopano and Ntando Mgulwa with their planted tree. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

Ward 112 councillor Lerato Mphefo and Blue Hills United community member Calvin Nkosi. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

“We have noticed that many people don’t care for the environment, so as a school we want to take it upon ourselves to teach others about the importance of looking after the environment.”