The social media sphere of the world is constantly abuzz with a new challenge for people to take part in. More often than not, these challenges have no real benefits and are just spread as a popularity contest or as an excuse to do something stupid.
Sadly, the more relevant and constructive challenges get forgotten in a swarm of lunacy. If there was ever a challenge that shouldn’t be swept under the rug, it would be the #SpekboomChallenge.
Spekbooms have become known as South Africa’s wonder plants because of their many benefits, especially in fighting climate change and air pollution.
To put it in perspective: the Amazon Rainforest is known as the lungs of the Earth for its incredible role in removing carbon dioxide from the air, but hectare for hectare, thickets of Spekboom plants have been found to be 10 times more effective than the vegetation of the Amazon Rainforest.
Not only that, but the proudly South African succulents are among the most water-wise species of plants because they can survive on only 250 to 300mm of water per year. Spekboom plants live for up to 200 years and can adapt to all weather conditions, from drought to freezing cold, all while binding soil and preventing erosion.
These plants absorb carbon from the air and turn it into plant matter, which is extremely beneficial to fighting global warming.
Because of all of their environmental benefits, a challenge was issued to all South Africans, motivating each person to plant 10 of these plants in 2020.
We should all take part in this challenge, and we can’t use lack of time or space as an excuse not to. Spekboom plants are extremely versatile and can be grown in pots, planted and grown as bonsais, hedges, ground cover, or a large bush. They are also easily propagated and surprisingly low-maintenance.
The movement is spreading throughout South Africa, and Roodepoort is promising to do their part. So far, the Lions Club of Wilro Park has pledged to donate 100 Spekboom plants to the Princess informal settlement, and Absolut Security and councillor Sonja Meyer are hoping to get involved as well.
A few residents from Wards 83 and 97 have also accepted the challenge and have taken to beautifying Roodepoort while planting the Spekbooms. Helene de Villiers is a resident of Little Falls. She, and a few of her friends, noticed that the quality of the grass and land outside a Wilro Park complex, Wilrama, was quickly deteriorating. Pedestrians and waste pickers were also walking in the busy streets, which was not only dangerous, but also caused congestion if cars needed to avoid them. In 2019, the group of Roodepoort residents constructed a pathway outside of the complex so that pedestrians could walk comfortably and safely.
On 26 and 27 January they returned to the complex to plant various plants around the path, including 66 Spekbooms and 100 other succulents.
Helene said the reason these plants were chosen, more specifically the Spekbooms, is for their environmental benefits. Dry weather and soil erosion meant that the grass on that patch of land wasn’t growing anymore. These plants require very little water and help prevent soil erosion, so they are the perfect way to add a little green to the area. The Spekbooms have been planted on the outer edge of the path so they will eventually form a luscious green hedge.
Helene is currently propagating another 52 Spekbooms to be planted in the area once the roots have been established. The path and newly planted succulents can be seen on the corner of Naboom Street and CR Swart Road.
CR Swart Road is extremely busy, so once the Spekbooms have grown, they will play a part in minimising the effects the carbon emissions from all of the passing cars have on the environment.
Are you also taking on the #SpekboomChallenge? Let us know by emailing amys@caxton.co.za.
