The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) embarked on a Million Tree Planting Programme as part of of a broader national greening initiative aimed at planting one million trees over the next five years.
The programme continued with great success yesterday (21/10) in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, where community members, government officials, and private sector partners planted trees in Virginia and Ventersburg.
DARD MEC Elzabe Rockman outlined the purpose of the programme by emphasizing the importance of partnerships and collaboration. “Our partnership with private sector is meaningful to us as we can’t do it on our own as government. There are so many benefits that comes with trees and we want to plant in a safe places with people who can take care of the trees,” she said.
Rockman and the Matjhabeng MMC for Community Service and Law Enforcement, Cllr. Tlake, joined volunteers in planting trees at Meloding Cemetery, Virginia Cemetery, Selang Day Care Centre, and Phahameng Day Care in Ventersburg.
The programme, officially launched on Heritage Day in Bloemfontein, aims to promote environmental sustainability, enhance green spaces, and strengthen community involvement in protecting the environment.
Compiled by Gypseenia Lion
