In celebration of World Environment 5 June 2011, Food & Trees for Africa have distributed another 3 662 Trees for Homes in Mdantsane Eastern Cape thanks to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). In keeping with this year’s theme, “Forests, nature at your service”, these trees are part of the 45 000 the NLDTF has provided for under-served and disadvantaged communities across the country. This contribution reflects their ongoing commitment to social upliftment and poverty alleviation in South Africa.

The FTFA Trees for Homes programme, is the largest and most successful urban greening programme in the country. “The need for urban forestry, re-greening and beautification is so great and becomes more so every day in the face of global climate change,” explains Robyn Hills, one of the Eastern Cape's leading Community Foresters. She went on to explain that as long as a community member are willing to dig a hole and look after a tree, that they would receive a tree for free.

However, the programme is multi-faceted and is also aimed at developing skills and leaders within the community. To ensure the trees have the best chance of survival, FTFA trains Community Educators (CEs), who are (or become) champions for greening and global climate change. After receiving training, these CEs go from door-to-door throughout the entire community and explain the importance of trees as well as how to dig holes, and look after them. They provide a support base for community members and ensure the best health of the trees by doing regular check ups at one week, six months and one year, to correct any possible problems.

The NLDTF has been a vital sponsor of the East London-Mdantsane Green Belt inititative. Previously having planted 1 338 trees in Duncan Village (which represents the Southern Point of the  belt) they are now focusing their attention on the Northern end, in Mdantsane Units 2, 3 and 4. In this current distribution a little over 3 662 trees wiere planted in these township units, which will no doubt transform the entire area into an urban forest in years to come. “This programme not only deals with the growing threat of climate change, it also beautifies the township, instilling a sense of pride and hope among community members,” continues Robyn.

The trees will be distributed from historically disadvantaged schools in the area, where learners, educators and parents are strongly encouraged to participate in the programme. For the five day long distribution which started 6 June to 10 June, the two main schools that were used as distribution points will be Pambili Primary and LM Yako Primary.  The heads of these two schools have also shown commitment by being involved as the primary coordinators for the CE's as well as offering their facilities for the CE training programmes.

The trees that wiere distributed have been carefully selected for the area and are either fruit trees or indigenous trees that are tough, require less water and may have some medicinal or cultural relevance to the communities. Among the fruit trees are: banana, paw-paw, lemon, orange, peach, plum and apricot and the varieties of each have been chosen to suit the climatic conditions of the area. There are around 18 types of indigenous tree that have also been selected for this project. Some of the more interesting include: The White Stinkwood (Celtis africana) and Wild Current (Rhus chirendensis), two fast growing pioneer species that will attract wildlife and biodiversity back into the area; the Jacket Plum (Pappea capensis) which is a very pretty tree and  2011 tree of the year; the Sneezewood (Ptaeroxylon obliquum), which is generally popular among younger men as it is used extensively in Xhosa initiation ceremonies; and the Yellowwood (Podocarpus falcatus and latifolios), which is of course South Africa's National Tree.

It looks as though the NLDTF have made a big difference to the lives of the community members in Mdantsane. “I am so happy that the National Lottery has given us this opportunity. It is wonderful that we will be able to make a difference in our homes”, explains Nobasika Mbiyozo, one of the CEs. She continues: “The people in Mdantsane have received the [tree] distribution well and it is nice to know that the National Lottery gives back to the people of South Africa in such ways.” However people feel about the National Lottery, no one can deny that they have taken a big step in uplifting the poor community of Mdantsane and combating global climate change.