To mark his 90th birthday, Nelson Mandela celebrated the planting of a white stinkwood in Thokoza Park. The tree is another step on the Greening Soweto path.

Graca Machel helps Nelson Mandela plant a white stinkwood to mark Arbor Day at Thokoza Park
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

ARBOR Month kicked off in high style when Madiba paid a visit to Thokoza Park in Soweto yesterday to celebrate the planting of the 90th tree in the park in his name.

  The beautiful white stinkwood already stands over three meters tall; it is the 90 990th tree planted in the township by Johannesburg City Parks. Throngs of locals and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects to Nelson Mandela, who is fondly referred to by everyone as "tata" (father).

Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel, arrived at the park in the midday heat, Mandela his usual high-spirited self and Machel fondly looking out for her man.

Despite his age Madiba did not miss a beat, but kept his speech short and to the point.  "I am proud to be part of this 90 990th tree planting," he said in his familiar husky voice.  And then, to everyone's delight asked, "Where is this tree?"

He added: "It is time for us to restore to nature that which we had taken from it."

A young boy could not contain his joy and waved wildly to draw Madiba's attention. "I am so happy," he kept saying as he touched his heart.

Parks Tau, the member of the mayoral committee for finance and economic development, stood in for Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, saying the City planned to bring parks similar to Thokoza Park to other marginalised areas as time went by.

City Parks is now just under half-way to meeting its target of planting 200 000 trees in Soweto within the next few years. This month alone it will plant a total of 62 000 trees, extending the greening effort to other areas in need of trees.

Prema Naidoo, the member of the mayoral committee for environment, spoke about the importance of green spaces. "Greening programmes not only assist in returning the integrity of the open space, but [they] also assist in restoring dignity to the area."

Johannesburg will plant a tree to honour Nelson Mandela every year around July, his birthday month. The first 89 trees marking his years were planted in Thokoza Park in 2007.

"Having the opportunity to say thank you to Madiba for paving the way for a healthy, vibrant and green Soweto is a great honour for City Parks - and we thank the Nelson Mandela Foundation for making this possible during Arbor Month," added Naidoo.

And Madiba added his thanks too, simply saying, "Kea le boga."

As always, residents can get involved in greening their city by celebrating Arbor Month with the planting of an indigenous tree. They can also make a donation towards the greening campaign by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or faxing 086 550 9290.

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