15 Dec 2015

Tree planting is critical to the lives of the masses and as such cannot be ignored.

Highlighting the importance of trees during a tree planting exercise at Goo-Kodisa on Sunday (December 13), coordinator of the village planting project, Ms Marie Sola said trees are a part of people’s lives.

She spoke of the health and socio-economic benefits of trees. 

She said people needed trees for oxygen that they breathe, emphasising that they chose to plant Mowana because it is foreign to the southern part of the country and its medicinal value cannot be overemphasised.

Ms Sola said Mowana can be used for healing purposes as it cures dry cough, adding that it also strengthens kidneys.

Its fruit can be used to produce yoghurt and the powder from the fruit can heal hiccups, more especially in children, she said emphasising that its barks produces thread that can be used for weaving baskets and making of fishing strings.

She said Mowana leaves can be used to heal stomach pains. They can also boost the digestive system and can be used as fodder during the dry season. 

As for the Jacaranda tree, Ms Sola said they chose the tree based on the fact that it produces purple roses, which are loved by bees and therefore a big opportunity for the villagers to practice bee keeping.

She added that bee honey prevents cancer, cures dry cough and have a potential to minimise or cure dermatitis, which is a skin diseases.

She said its tree leaves are rich in nutrients which are used in fodder for small stock, more especially during the dry season as the plant is drought resistant.

She said phase 1 of the project covered planting trees around the kgotla, which saw a total of 19 trees being planted, after which activities were rolled out to other parts of the village on a monthly basis until September next year.

Trees which were planted at the event include 13 Jacaranda, four Morula trees, one Mowana and one Christmas tree.

She said the trees would give the village a facelift and provide shade for the community. Ends