allAfrica.com: South Africa: Dumping Site Now a Haven for Children (Page 1 of 1)

A derelict piece of land in Ga-Rankuwa, Zone 7, is no longer a dumping site full of rubbish, but it has become a haven for children filled with grass and indigenous trees.

The Tshwane Metropolitan Municipal Horticulture Club had a vision to acquire the land and develop it into a beautiful Recreational Park for all zone 7 residents to enjoy.

When they began developing the park, situated north of Tshwane, in 2004, the club immediately planted grass and indigenous trees. During the same phase, they also constructed concrete pathways and replaced the first half of the bollards with a steel post and rail fence.

They then installed brightly painted blue, red and yellow playground equipment - slides, climbing frames, swings, rainbow arches, a sailor's climber and 14 benches.

Now the park is the focal point of the township's future generations and their parents.

After school and over the weekend, the township children flock to the park in order to make new friends and have hours of fun.

In celebration of Arbor Week this year, a group of learners from Modisele Primary School in Ga-Rankuwa and the City's Horticulture club planted indigenous trees. This was also their effort in the fight against global warming.

They planted eight indigenous Combretum Erythrophyllums (Bush Willows) and seven more African Wild Olive trees as part of the greening of their township park.

Park manager, Piet Dicks, said a total of R510 000 was used to develop the park since 2004.

"As horticulturists, we view it as crucial to encourage the future leaders to participate in tree planting and greening programmes for beautification and improvement of their immediate environment.

Gontse Masoka, 12, told BuaNews the park near her home has brought joy to her and other children.

"When we are involved in the planting of trees, we will grow up knowing the importance of preserving and protecting the environment.

"We will refrain from cutting trees, because they provide us with shades and the oxygen that we breathe," said the grade six learner.

Gomolemo Pitswane, 10, said the greening and planting of trees at their beautiful park will also improve the urban environment of their township.

"This park is a focal point to us over the weekend and we will look after the trees that have been planted because we want this park to be beautiful and provide shade for us," said Gomolemo who is in grade five.

Ten-year-old Kgomotso Mphiwe, who is also in grade five said she will keep on protecting and planting trees in the township.

"I have recently learnt that trees do not only provide us with shade, but they are also used as medicine to cure diseases and they can protect the soil from erosion and shelter houses from strong wind."

Ward 32 Councillor Cornelius Thipe Mokoena likened the trees to the lungs of the earth, responsible for purifying the air.

"Trees supply us with the oxygen that we breathe and they also provide shade for us. They also provide food for both wild and domestic animals," he said, adding that residents should look after the park and refrain from littering.

Last year, the 24th anniversary of the national Arbor Week was celebrated in Ga-Rankuwa extension 21.

The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, together with the City of Tshwane, planted 2300 trees in Ga-Rankuwa extension 21.

"I am pleased to announce that 90 percent of the trees are still surviving and the community there is happy and enjoying the green environment," said Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks while launching this year's Arbor Week in Kwazulu-Natal on 28 August.

She said planting trees is more than just providing shade, prevention of soil erosion and beautifying the environment; but it contributes in fighting global climate change and in particular global warming.

"This phenomenon is an environmental threat that all of us are facing in the 21st century.

"Planting trees is one of the most important mitigating factors against climate change because trees are our 'green lungs' that breathe in the emissions or carbon dioxide and release oxygen thereby slowing down this environmental threat," she said

Last year, President Thabo Mbeki launched the Million Trees Programme, which is aimed at planting at least a million trees annually with 70 percent being fruits and 30 percent ornamental shade trees.

During the launch, Mr Mbeki expressed his concern that the rural areas and townships do not have sufficient trees.

The annual national Arbor Week is an initiative of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, to celebrate the South Africa's trees as well as to raise awareness of the danger of veld and forest fires.

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