BuaNews (Tshwane)
Proffesor Ndawonde
5 September 2008
Johannesburg — Soweto residents celebrated Arbor Week in special style and honour on Thursday when former President Nelson Mandela ceremonially planted the 90 990th tree in Thokoza Park.
In yet another event to celebrate the country's most popular citizen's 90th birthday this year, Madiba was assisted by his wife Graca Machel as he lifted a spade and filled the hole of the sapling Celtis Africana,
The planting of the sapling formed part of the Greening Soweto Legacy Project - a project of Johannesburg City Parks which addresses greening disparities in developing areas.
Madiba told hundreds of Soweto residents that it was very important to preserve and protect the environment as it was part of their lives.
"The planting of this tree is very important for all of us because without nature we would not have survived for such a long time.
"This is a worthy and very important project and I would encourage other cities across the country to follow the steps of this city because this is the time to restore and protect our nature," Madiba said.
A Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Environment in the City of Johannesburg, Prema Naidoo, said the greening programmes in place did not only assist in restoring the integrity of the open space, but also assisted ting in restoring the dignity of the area.
The MMC also thanked Madiba for paving the way for a healthy, vibrant and green Soweto.
City Parks says an additional 30 000 trees will be planted during 2008, and another 80 000 during the 18 months thereafter to meet the 2010 target of 200 000 trees lining the area's streets.
City's Managing Director, Luther Williamson said Arbor Month, which is observed annually in September, was one of City Parks' key vehicles to garner support from business and residents, to take collective responsibility of the city's green lungs.
"This is part of celebrating our nature and also celebrate Madiba's legacy. We invited Madiba to show the whole world that he is still an environmental activist and an ambassador for environmental issues," said Mr Williamson.
Residents were entertained with music from Danny K and Loyiso Bala who urged the community to make the nature conservation an intrinsic part of their lives.
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