By Abigail Visagie  

In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, the Free State, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Small Business Development and Environmental Affairs, and the Free State Legislature have launched the One Million Trees Initiative, a project to promote eco-awareness and restore a resilient environment that will contribute to a greener future for the province.

In commemoration of Arbour Day, various stakeholders gathered at South Park Cemetery, Motheo TVET College, Phahameng Cemetery, and Bainsvlei Combined School to launch the planting of one million trees, an initiative that will improve air quality, support biodiversity, and contribute to a healthier environment.

All three departments, pledged to plant 1000 trees.

One hundred trees were planted at Motheo TVET College, 350 at Phahameng Cemetery, 200 at Bainsvlei Combined School, and another 300 at South Park Cemetery.

The trees were a combination of Orange and indigenous trees commonly known as the Lebelebele.

“Planting of these trees is also educational. Wherever we plant, community members are being taught about the specific trees and what watering system should be used to guarantee sustainability and growth for the trees,” said the chairperson of the Economic Cluster within the Free State Legislature Zama Sigwebela.

The MEC of Agriculture Elsabe Rockmann, announced that Bainsvlei Combined School will now have an agricultural sector and presented an Eco-School Certificate.

The One Million Initiative will spread over a period of five years across the whole province.