MTN will usher in the COP17 climate change conference by planting a total of 2 000 trees in the Nazareth RDP settlement in Pinetown, west of Durban.
The launch will culminate in the planting of 667 trees, which will be distributed by MTN in partnership with Food and Trees For Africa (FTFA). A further 667 will be planted at Kwasanti, Ingqalabutho Community Centre, on November 29. The remaining 666 trees will be planted at the Nazareth Island Open Space the next day.
Government departments involved in the project include those of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development (DAERD), Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) as well as the eThekwini Municipality.
The DAERD will hand over seed packs and trees, while the DAFF will donate 30 indigenous trees to be distributed among five schools in the Nazareth area.
When the settlement was created, trees were cut down, leaving the area bare and susceptible to damage caused by rain and wind. Through the tree planting exercise, MTN is hoping to create climate change awareness within the local communities, and address climate change. The trees will also settle dust, create an ecosystem for wildlife, improve biodiversity, improve the value of the houses and improve energy efficiency by providing shade in summer.
“For MTN, planting trees is one of our key CSR initiatives for 2011. As part of our annual employee community drive, 21 Days of Y’ello Care, MTN has already planted over 60 000 trees across its global footprint, including South Africa. We intend to plant a total of 150 000 trees by the end of June 2012. We are thus pleased to have the opportunity to plant more trees in our communities to mark the significance of COP17, which starts on our doorsteps on the same day.” says Madzonga.
During this years’ 21 Days of Y’ello Care, MTN staff planted 67 000 trees across 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. A thousand of these were planted at Cosmo City in Johannesburg. 21 Days of Y’ello Care is a voluntary programme aimed at encouraging MTN staff to volunteer their services to projects that uplift communities.
”This is a very appreciative and grateful community to invest in. They look after their assets,” says Stanley Buthelezi, the area Councillor.
MTN and FTFA will continue to plant a further 5 500 trees across South Africa after the COP17 conference.
FTFA has distributed over 4 million trees and created thousands of organic food gardens for the poor in their 21 years of existence.
