Conservancy, brings trees to Rosebank
ROSEBANK - A touch of green is noticeable as you drive along Oxford Road as a result of a 'green-friendly' community initiative.
Over the past months this initiative named iHlathi brought together the newly-formed Melrose Birdhaven Conservancy, Gautrain and the Rosebank Management District.
iHlathi means the forest in isiZulu, and the initiative was established last year for the suburbs of Birdhaven, Melrose, Melrose Estate and Melrose North, and aims to help develop a ‘green corridor’ between Rosebank and Melrose Arch.
Markus Scheuermaier of the conservancy said, “iHlathi is delighted to contribute to the City of Johannesburg’s objective of a green, livable and sustainable city.” He added that with all the development happening in the Rosebank area, it was important that the green infrastructure should be maintained for everyone’s enjoyment.
The suburbs of Melrose-Birdhaven are historical residential areas that form a diverse natural heritage area, with parks such as RH Henderson, and James and Ethel Gray, and the Sandspruit.
Nwabisa Mkhize of the Rosebank Management District said they were proud to be associated with this project, and grateful to Barbara Jensen of Gautrain for donating trees. Mkhize also thanked ward councillors Tim Truluck and Jack Cooper for their support
“We believe that planting trees on Oxford Road will make Rosebank more attractive to both residents and visitors,” said Mkhize.
Oxford Road is not the only area that has benefited from this initiative with 300 trees being planted in RH Henderson Park, and James and Ethel Gray Park.
Details: ihlathi.johannesburg@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/ihlathi, www.twitter/ihlathi.
