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Trees are being planted at houses in Alexandra's extension seven, and
residents are being challenged to maintain their environment.
Looking after the environment: Elsa Tladi plants a tree
S
OME 600 trees are being planted in Alexandra's extension seven as part of a
greening project in the area.
The trees will be planted in residents' gardens; there are 1 400 houses in
extension seven. The greening initiative is a joint venture between the City,
the Department of Housing, the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC), Absa
bank, City Parks, Gauteng housing department, the Alexandra Development Forum
and extension seven residents.
"The [housing] department has sponsored R200 000 to the greening challenge
project; Absa bank has provided over 500 fruit trees and we are waiting for City
Parks to give indigenous trees," said Isaiah Mabua, the campaign and project
manager in the department of housing.
City Parks provided an aerial map of the area before the project got under
way to give direction to where the trees should be planted, according to Kgantse
Mofokeng, a stakeholder liaison at City Parks.
Residents and about 40 volunteers from various NGOs attended workshops
earlier this month where they learned how to plant trees and how to maintain the
environment. The NGOs include Shumang, Tswaranang, Thsogang, Suncross and Rhedi,
all found in and around Alex. The workshops were taught by Vic and Dave Garden
Plant.
"They taught us how to dig holes and the length and width needed for the
different sizes of trees. We first dig the hole, put in some bone-meal, the
plant, some soil and then the compost," said Elsa Tladi, one of the volunteers.
"Some of us have been planting our own trees at our homes way before the
start of the workshop."
Another aim of the initiative is to teach communities how to look after their
environment.
"The department started this greening challenge by supplying residents with
grass; they asked us to provide them with flowers or trees and we [decided to
provide] them with trees," Mabua said.
He explained that department of housing officials would pay regular visits to
the area, checking on the maintenance of people's gardens.
"The families who keep their gardens well-maintained will receive cash prizes
of up to R10 000 and gift prizes like stoves, fridges and television sets. We
will have as many as nine winners."
People in extension seven originally came from deep in Alexandra, where they
lived in shacks. They were now living in the low cost houses. The department of
housing was trying to educate them about caring for their environment and
keeping their houses in good condition.
"The majority of the homes are well-kept and some people go to the extent of
fencing their yards, which is very motivating," Mabua said.
Planting started on Monday, 27 August and will continue for the rest of the
week.
"The volunteers will be thanked by getting lunch every day until the project
is over. Absa has sponsored them with T-shirts and the department is giving them
overalls for working," Mabua said.
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