The City of Johannesburg's Region G joined hands with community and environmental stakeholders at PohoPedi Primary School in Poortjie on Friday, 11 September 2026, for a tree-planting, and environmental awareness programme. The programme, held to mark Heritage Month and Arbor Day, brought together stakeholders including the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), Siyakha Sonke, Gold Fields, CRUM Region G and the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD).

Learners stepped outside the classroom and engaged directly with nature. They planted trees at the school and explored their creative sides through painting activities inspired by trees and the natural environment.

The initiative formed part of the Growing a Greener Future programme through the She Evolves platform, which seeks to encourage young people and communities to become active environmental stewards while preserving indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage.

For the organisers, the tree-planting activity provided an opportunity to introduce younger generations to the cultural significance of trees and the knowledge that communities have carried from one generation to another.

Different trees have traditionally been valued for their medicinal properties, healing purposes, food sources and other uses. This indigenous knowledge remains an important part of cultural heritage, while the relationship between nature, health and wellness continues to receive attention through scientific research.

The programme builds on the success of the 2025 School Tree-Planting Competition, broadening its reach through the She Evolves platform to combine environmental education with storytelling, indigenous knowledge, learner participation and community engagement.

Written by Dr Farhin Delawala
14/09/2026
 

Recommended for you:
Fleurhof learners join City in growing a greener Johannesburg
Meet Joburg's team behind Operation Go Green
City Parks and Zoo calls on Joburg to grow a greener future
 

To stay informed about the latest developments in the City, connect with us on:
X: @CityofJoburgZA
Facebook: City of Joburg
Instagram: @CityofJoburg
TikTok: @CityofJoburg
Threads: @cityofjoburg
LinkedIn: City of Johannesburg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CityOfJoburgZA/videos​