The Mpumalanga MEC for Education, Bonakele Majuba, led the commemoration of the Mpumalanga Provincial Arbor Day at Mpuluzi High School in Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality
He was accompanied by the MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARBLEA), Busi Shiba and the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Fish
Majuba said this was part of the Programme initiated by the DARBLEA to plant tree, flowers and vegetables to schools and households within the Province. It is also an endeavour to encourage communities to plant more trees and to protect their surroundings.
The two MECs and the Deputy Minister handed over vegetable plants and planted trees at the Mpuluzi High School and neighbouring households as a practical gesture of sustainable environmental management.
MEC Majuba was very much excited about this and he extended his appreciation to all the roleplayes:
“We join the people of the world during the September Month also known as Heritage Month in celebration of Arbor Week, to remind one another, our learners in particular of the importance of nature conservation. As we celebrate this day, we need to do well to focus on planting indigenous trees which include some of the oldest, largest and culturally significant trees that form part of our heritage,” he said.
He added that this is an opportunity to plant trees to beautify schools as a practical and symbolic gesture of sustainable environmental management. The celebration of Arbor week presents us with an opportunity to be involved in “greening” our schools. It is therefore important for the school communities to join hands with us in this endeavour.
“As a Department, we embarked on the Rhandza Xikolo Xa Wena Campaign to conscientise and encourage communities to take ownership of their respective schools, to keep them clean and to protect them. This campaign culminates to the awarding of the Cleanest School in the Province ” he said