The deputy minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment, Makhotso Sotyu, spearheaded the official launch of the national Arbor Month 2022 under the theme “Forests and sustainable production and consumption” at the Sappi Ngodwana nursery on Thursday September 1.
Sotyu was joined by the deputy minister of sport, arts and culture, Nocawe Mafu, the deputy minister of human settlements, Pamela Tshwete, and the deputy minister of tourism, Fish Mahlalela.
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According to her, the department wants to transform the forestry industry. It has a forestry master plan currently in its second phase, which will be put into action with a goal of planting five million trees by 2024.
Sotyu said the industry should transform and encourage more women to work in the predominately male-dominated field of forestry.
“We are most grateful for Sappi for playing a crucial role in this forestry sector – they are a true transformation. The cabinet has approved a forestry master plan in December.
“We are strongly encouraging transformation. What we mean with transformation is not replacing colour with another colour, but installing the right people who truly understand the industry. We are in the process of selecting a director that will deal only with issues of transformation.
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“By 2024, we hope to have completely transformed the industry. In addition to giving us oxygen, trees also remove toxic carbon dioxide from the air, lowering the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Communities should be made aware of how crucial it is to always conserve the forests and preserve their trees.
“About 3 000 trees will be planted in and around the City of Mbombela. Each of the four districts in Mpumalanga will be encouraged to plant about 1 000 trees to bring the district total back to 7 000,” she said.
The tree planting continued at other places in the Lowveld, such as Sabie and Hazyview.
Later that night, the programme was concluded by the National Arbor City Awards hosted at Mbombela’s The Capital Hotel.
