In a concerted effort to combat environmental degradation, local stakeholders joined forces to spearhead a tree-planting initiative at Magnolia Dell. Organized by the World Mission Society Church of God, the event saw approximately 100 participants including church members from Pretoria and Johannesburg, alongside families and neighbors, converge on June 23rd.
The undertaking forms part of a global campaign aimed at reducing carbon emissions and addressing desertification, activities that have been ongoing throughout June across various nations where these churches are situated.
Kgolofelo Mahuma, representing the church, emphasized the significance of their “Erase Plastic Footprints” campaign, which seeks to curtail plastic waste, a pivotal aspect of their broader environmental efforts.
During the three-hour endeavor, volunteers diligently planted a total of 13 trees, carefully matching tree roots with dug holes across the park. Concurrently, efforts were made to clean up litter from the vicinity, encompassing disposable plastics, food packaging, and other debris.
The local municipality contributed by providing indigenous tree species and essential tools such as garbage bags, underscoring the collaborative nature of the initiative.
A panel exhibition convened as part of the event shed light on the severity of desertification, attributing 87% of its causes to factors like environmental pollution stemming from population growth and rampant deforestation.
Shaun Wilkinson, Ward 59 councillor, lauded the initiative, remarking, “Every tree planted represents not just an action in the present, but an investment in our future. Trees play a crucial role in purifying our air, combating climate change, and providing habitats for diverse species.”
He continued, “Today’s efforts to establish this ‘Forest of Hope’ in Magnolia Dell symbolize our commitment to a greener, healthier planet and a legacy that will endure for generations.”
Highlighting global concerns, a 2018 World Desertification Map by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center reported ongoing desertification on 75% of Earth’s landmass, with projections indicating further deterioration by 2050.
Reflecting on their global outreach, the World Mission Society Church of God, founded in Korea in 1964, operates in over 7,500 locations across 175 countries. Their climate change initiatives in South Africa have spanned nearly 15 years, encompassing provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal.
Beyond reforestation efforts, the church has actively engaged in biodiversity preservation, including the removal of invasive plant species from nature reserves and campaigns to restore coastal ecosystems such as salt marshes and mangrove forests.
Leny Matlala, one of the volunteers involved in planting trees, expressed pride in contributing to activities that hold promise for the future. “Each tree planted here adds to the emergence of a forest, embodying hope for our planet,” Matlala remarked.
The initiative at Magnolia Dell stands not only as a local action but also as a beacon of hope and inspiration for similar endeavors across parks and open spaces in Tshwane City.
