Rustenburg Municipality celebrated the donation of 50 indigenous trees to Boikagong School with learners and educators at a tree planting ceremony at the school.
Attended by the Executive Mayor of Rustenburg, Councillor Mpho Khunou, the tree-planting ceremony represented the carbon offsetting of the RRT launch event held on 21 July at the Civic Centre in Rustenburg. Research went into assessing the environmental impact of the launch, and thereafter a local school was selected to benefit from the trees bought by the Rustenburg Municipality to offset the carbon generated.
Councillor Mpho Khunou, speaking at the event said, “All of the country’s new public transport systems are designed to ensure that they contribute towards achieving South Africa’s aim to reduce carbon emissions growth by 34% by the year 2020. Every city, including ours, has an important part to play in this. Throughout the implementation of this public transport project, we will not only be boosting the economic growth of our city, but ensuring that careful consideration goes into offsetting the project through greening initiatives like this one that directly benefit the Rustenburg community.”
Acting Municipal Manager, Victor Makona added, “This event is the start of our commitment to provide the people of Rustenburg with a safe, reliable and environmental sustainable public transport system that will go a long way in reducing air pollution in the area.”
During the ceremony, learners performed a traditional dance and song that entertained guests while Principal, Mr Moses Motsilenyane thanked the Mayor and the Rustenburg Municipality for their support.
About the RRT project
The RRT will provide Rustenburg with a comprehensive, integrated public transport system with BRT trunk corridors; direct public transport routes and feeder routes to serve the fastest growing region in South Africa. There will also be attention paid to walkways and bicycle paths to promote safe movement of people throughout the municipal district.
This project is a key focus area for the next five years and is a catalyst for bigger 2025 Rustenburg City Development Strategy. Construction is due to commence during 2012, with the first services delivered in 2015 for more than half a million residents and is expected to cater for some 200,000 passengers per day, including the predominant mining workforce, scholars, students and a thriving inner city.
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