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Another R150 000 has been added to the coffers to green Soweto, the second donation made by the Rand Water Foundation.
THE Greening Soweto project, which aims to plant 200 000 trees in the southern quadrant of Johannesburg, has received a boost of R150 000 from the Rand Water Foundation.
It is part of the plan by the City of Johannesburg to green Soweto before the 2010 FIFA World Cup and to continue with maintenance beyond the World Cup. Planting trees is also a means of offsetting carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change.
The foundation has already contributed R300 000 towards the purchase of trees planted along Potchefstroom Road in Soweto, helping to transform the leading arterial in the area from a dust bowel into a green oasis.
Another tree takes root in Soweto as Angie Phaliso, the manager of the Rand Water Foudation, and City Parks MD Luther Williamson turn the soil
"Rand Water Foundation chose this initiative as one of its flagship projects because we believe this will make a difference in the lives of Sowetans. It will give the community a different ambience and promote interest for tourism," explains the foundation's manager, Angie Phaliso.
"A clean environment means better health. The townships usually have this dark cloud caused by the smoke from the coal stoves and braziers. With trees in the area, unclean air will be a thing of the past."
Having trees will also mean an influx of birds and other creatures which will not only make Soweto more appealing to the eye but increase the level of biodiversity, she says.
Dry and dusty
Soweto is one of the country's most historically and socially significant places. In recent years it has become a major drawcard for both local and foreign tourists. During the apartheid years, the ecology of the area was seriously neglected and it acquired a reputation of a dry and dusty place.
Gravel roads and the lack of flora caused high levels of environmental problems, with resultant negative effects on the health of its residents. It also affected ecosystems on its periphery.
More than 78 400 street trees have already been planted in Soweto and adjacent suburbs. City Parks has put in place a closely monitored unit to regularly water, stake and maintain these trees.
The Greening Soweto project receives a boost. City Parks' MD Luther Williamson and Rand Water board member Professor Frederick Otieno at the formal presentation
"There is no doubt in my mind that the beautification of the suburb, including the development of new, high quality multipurpose [parks], complemented by the planting of established street trees, is directly contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of the southern suburbs," says Luther Williamson, the managing director of City Parks.
He says that various partners have been working with the City to implement Greening Soweto, including the World Conservation Union, the Airports Company of South Africa, the Rand Water Foundation and Nedbank.
City Parks needs to plant another 125 000 trees to achieve its 2010 green goals and potential partners are urged to call 011 712 6600 or email: trees@jhbcityparks to find out on how they can be part of the initiative.
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