17 Oct 2022

Planting trees is one of the most cost effective ways of combating climate change, says First Lady Neo Masisi.

Speaking after a tree planting activity at the Toteng kgotla on Saturday, Ms Masisi said trees absorbed harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide, removed and stored carbon and released oxygen back into the atmosphere.

She therefore urged Toteng residents to plant trees as they had many other benefits including bearing fruits, providing shade and beautifying nature.

About the event’s theme: Ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration, Ms Masisi said it was appropriate as trees restored the ecosystem and prevented wind and soil erosion.

The first lady praised Khoemacau Copper Mine for promoting tree planting in the area.

The mine, in partnership with Absa Bank, has pledged to plant 2 000 trees this year in Toteng and the surrounding areas as well as the mine site.

She commended the mine‘s management for fulfilling their promise to contribute towards uplifting residents’ living standards. 

According to Ms Masisi, planting trees was part of the fulfilment of that  promise. 

The mine’s chief executive officer, Mr Johan Ferreira said planting trees was important as it helped maintain the ecological balance. 

He also said it was symbolic of starting a new life. 

Mr Ferreira expressed the mine’s desire to establish a forest park to benefit the broader community.

Outlining the objectives of the event, the mine’s environment and community relations manager, Mr Johnny Marudu pointed out that culturally Batswana depended on trees for different purposes such as food, medicine, fencing, furniture and firewood. 

Appealing to the community to stop cutting down trees, he warned that continuation of the practice would create an unstable atmosphere.

He emphasised the need for the community to take care of the environment for it to benefit future generations adding that for its part, the mine promoted sustainable conservation.

“We do comply with the right procedures to utilise the environment in a sustainable manner. We are charged with the responsibility to rehabilitate land hence promoting tree planting,” he added.

Buffalo Thorn, Mokgalo in the vernacular, was chosen tree of the year.BOPA