POLOKWANE – Apart from being the recipient of the prestigious National Arbor City Award for 2023, the city will soon take advantage of the deployment of 2 000 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers on a 12 month contract, funded by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The workers will among others, be involved in the planting of trees and cleaning of streets and parks, and will go a long way towards enhancing service delivery at local level.
This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Makhotso Sotyu during the 2023 National Arbor Month launch that was hosted at Fusion Boutique Hotel on Friday.
During the event, the award which recognises municipalities that have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the Ten Million Trees Programme and embraced greening initiatives within their programmes, were handed to Mayor John Mpe by the deputy minister.
Friday was also Arbor Day and the event aims to raise awareness and educate South Africans on the importance of preserving, safeguarding and planting trees for both environmental and human-related benefits.
Under the theme ‘Forests and Health’ as adopted by the United Nations Collaborative Partnerships on Forests, this year’s Arbor Month celebrations emphasises the crucial roles played by forestry and tree planting in creating sustainable and healthy communities.
Trees provide numerous health benefits, including nutritious foods, medicinal resources, fresh air, clean water and recreational spaces.
Earlier in the day, Sotyu visited significant locations such as the Seshego Healthcare Clinic in and around the city and officiated at tree planting ceremonies.
She was particularly impressed by the efforts that the municipality has taken towards preserving and improving the environment and extended her congratulations to the mayor and the residents of the city, as well as the municipal workers.
