World elite descends on Delta Park to plant 100 trees for Madiba

DELTA PARK – International dignitaries including Sir Richard Branson and Graca Machel came together to plant 100 trees to honour Nelson Mandela.

July 18, 2018

Reuven Blignault 2 minutes read

In honour of the legacy of Nelson Mandela, local and international delegates planted 100 trees in Delta Park to symbolise 100 years of respect for the late president of South Africa.

The small forest represents 100 organisations from across the globe as part of the Sparks of Hope initiative.

Dignitaries who spoke at and attended the event included Sir Richard Branson, Graça Machel, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi and former Ireland president Mary Robinson.

The guest list included local celebrities such as Clint Brink and Refilwe Modiselle.

The idea behind the park was spearheaded by the Sparks of Hope initiative, comprised of world representatives and Rhodes scholars, who are taking part in similar projects around the world, alongside The Elders.

Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi speaks to members of the media at The Elders and the Sparks of Hope #WalkTogether tree planting initiative in Delta Park.

The Elders is an international non-governmental organisation of public figures noted as elder statesmen, peace activists, and human rights advocates, who were brought together by Mandela in 2007.

The Elders have been running a global campaign, #WalkTogether, aimed at continuing Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom.

Branson said, “The idea behind the formation of The Elders is that the most respected men and women in this world can go on to become ‘Elders’ when they have put the world of politics and egos behind them, so that they may focus on what the earth needs.

“Madiba and Graca appointed these incredible 12 men and women, from Kofi Annan to President Jimmy Carter and more, to try and better the world… Today The Elders are celebrating these 100 organisations who have made such a wonderful difference in this world, and so that people who come to visit this beautiful park can remember this.”

Graca Machel addresses the crowd at The Elders and the Sparks of Hope #WalkTogether tree planting initiative in Delta Park.

Schoolchildren of Moletsane High School in Soweto attended the event and were handed commemorative plants so that they could ‘plant the seeds of hope’ in their own communities.

Robinson spoke about the importance of the event. “When Madiba left prison in 1990, he knew that the only way to build a free and just society is to act with, what he termed, ‘kindness and generous accommodation’, and this is what Sparks of Hope represents,” she said.

“I hope that young people will look at this park as it becomes green with growth and remember that there are inspirational organisations around the world showing that Madiba’s light burns brightly still.”