By REGINALD KANYANE
Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality in partnership with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries visited two centres and school in Lehurutshe to celebrate Arbor Month.
The municipal mayor, Lerato Selebogo said even though Arbor Day was first celebrated over 100 years ago, it is still important to create awareness as trees play a pivotal role in preserving livelihoods against the deforestation of the environment.
She said the aim of the day was to raise awareness of trees and to help to provide an educative service to all areas of the community.
“People need to look at the destruction and long term damage that deforestation has on the environment to realize the importance of this day. We can no longer take trees for granted as they preserve our livelihoods in various ways.
“So, we visited the Areka Old Age Centre and Hospice along with the Dikhudu Primary School where we planted few trees. We sometimes experience soil erosion in our areas that might be hazardous to our livelihoods, so it is our duty as parents to educate our children the importance of this initiative,” she said.
Youth Environmental Coordinator at the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Thapelo Mongala shared the same sentiments. Mongala said as the custodians of the environment, it is important to look after it.
“This entails greening and planting of trees. The initiative does not only preserve the condition of the environment, but give oxygen to the livelihoods. It has been our culture that when one cut a tree, is expected to plant another tree of the same kind to avoid deforestation.
“However, it seems we have lost a plot on that in modern days because people can go on a deforestation spree without thinking twice. We need to restore the custom of planting of trees to avoid disastrous situations,” Mongala added.
Areka Old Age Home and Hospice director, Mazulu Motona welcomed the initiative. Motona who is also a chairperson of the South African Older Person’s Forum (SAOPF) at Ngaka Modiri Molema District said: “We really appreciate the visit of various stakeholders at our centre. We have received unwavering support from various stakeholders including the donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from a private company in Gauteng.
“It has been five years since the existence of the centre. However, we have not received any assistance from the North West Social Development thus far. It is also disheartening to hear the news that the department is planning to shut down the centre for non-compliance. So, we urge any assistance from anyone as we give refuge to older persons who are vulnerable.”
Matona also sent his regards to the North West MEC for Agriculture, Desbo Mohono and the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipal mayor, Justice Makolomakwa for their selflessness contributions. He said he is also grateful that they have not registered any COVID-19 case at the centre.
The centre has 18 employees and is a safe haven to 36 older persons who come from various backgrounds.
Dikhudu Primary School teacher, Thomas Lehutso welcomed the planting of trees at their school. Lehutso said that children will also learn from tender age that planting of trees is of value.
The Guardian 