NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 555
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2011 [IQP No 3 -2011] SECOND
SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 555 for written reply: National Assembly, Ms D Carter (COPE) to
ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
(1) Whether the department has fully implemented its greening programme,
including the Million Trees Programme; if not, why not; if so, (a) what
success has been achieved, (b) which communities have benefited from
this programme and (c) how have these programmes contributed to
improving the livelihoods of the communities that were reached;
(2) What steps will have to be taken by her department to extend the
programme nationwide? NW605E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, the department is successfully implementing its greening
programme and has in the past three years been able to reach and exceed
its million trees target. It must however be noted that the million
trees target is a national target that must be met collectively by
municipalities, private institutions, non-governmental institutions and
other civil society organisations. The department plays a
coordinating and leadership role.
Below are tree planting figures from 2007 to date
|Year |Number achieved |
|2007/8 |1700000 |
|2008/9 |1300000 |
|2009/10 |1277805 |
(a). Since its inception the programme has succeeded in planting over 4
million trees. The majority of these trees were planted in poor areas of
the country. About 40% of the trees are fruit trees. The planting
campaigns were facilitated by DAFF regional offices. Fruit trees that
were planted in the initial phase are already stating to bear fruit.
Important partnerships were forged in the process. These include
partnerships with TOTAL SA, the SABC, Food and Trees for Africa,
Lovelife, Proudly South Arica, ESKOM, departments of health,
environment (nutrition programmes), municipalities and other civil
organizations.
(b) In the past three years the programme created four legacies
recreational parks namely Batlharos in the Gasegonyana municipal area,
Sarafina in the Tlokwe municipal area, Phahameng location in the
Mangaung municipal area and Orange Farm in the Johannesburg Metropolitan
area. Communities in these areas are able to enjoy the recreational value
provided by the parks and some of these are revenue earners in the
areas because they are being hired out to functions and other activities.
During the build up process and the preparations for the 2010 World
Cup trees were planted at various public viewing and settlement areas.
Some of the public viewing areas are listed below:
⢠Makhado show grounds
⢠Marquassi stadium
⢠Galeshewe stadium
⢠Phakisa racecourse
⢠Matatiele North End stadium
⢠Moretele Park
⢠Gugulethu Indoor sports complex
(c) Trees in general are important for the well-being of, in particular,
rural people. Fruit and leaves provide nutrients and are used every
day in households. They also provide vitamins and sometimes proteins
that are not always found in other crops. Diets in these areas are
dominated by cereal crops that are mainly rich in starch. Therefore
fruits are needed to keep a balanced and healthy nutrition.
Fruit trees are multi purpose, they help clean the air, reduce heat,
provide nutrition, and support good mental health and well-being. For
these benefits to happen, fruit trees must be planted strategically,
guided by careful planning and leadership. At the same time, the ongoing
survival of these trees is dependent on support from local government
structures, engaged residents and ability to curb attack by pests and
diseases.
(2) In order to intensify the programme, the department conducts the
Arbor Week campaign and the Arbor City Award competition in September
month every year. Arbor week concentrates on heralding the general
value of trees in our country and the Arbor City awards is used as an
incentive to encourage the municipalities to keep their landscapes
tidy and green. The Minister and other political office bearers are
invited to the events. The planting of trees with political office
bearers and members of parliament gives recognition to the greening
programme and serve as a good awareness raising platform and encourage
communities to green their areas
The Department through the Forestry Branch initiated a partnership
involving the SABC in the greening of public viewing areas and
associated residential settlements in these areas. Through this
initiative trees were planted in all nine provinces. The tree planting
events were made to coincide with the selected 2010 Soccer World Cup
Tournament mile stones such as 180, 100, 80, 60, 50, 30 and 9 days
count down to the event. The initiative has ensured greening of public
viewing areas while ensuring that surrounding residential settlements
receive fruit and ornamental shade trees. In addition there was an
added benefit of creating awareness through coverage by the SABC on
the news and other programmes.
The Department also hosted a greening initiative where 32 big trees
were planted to symbolize the countries that participated in the 2010
World Cup Soccer Tournament in South Africa. This day was also be used
to celebrate World Environment Day and trees were planted in
Hammanskraal as part of the greening initiatives by the City of
Tshwane and the Million Trees Programme.
The plan is to intensify the efforts to work more with non-
governmental organizations and community based organizations to extend
these services to areas where municipalities and government
departments fall short of means to implement on the ground. In this
way the department will achieve more in greening the country