HomeCompany NewsConnecting communities, one tree at a time

Connecting communities, one tree at a time

South Africa generates an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of waste annually, according to United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP), placing significant pressure on municipalities to manage waste effectively. Approximately 3.67 million tonnes of this waste go uncollected and untreated by formal systems each year, leading to substantial illegal dumping, posing significant risks to the environment and public health.

This issue is especially evident in areas like the West Rand, where waste collection struggles are significant. 70% of the district’s collection and transfer equipment is older than ten years and frequently experiences breakdowns during collection, leading to inconsistent collection patterns and resulting in illegal dumping sites.

Few things unite a community quite like creating beautiful spaces for living, recreation, and gathering. This is why, in the recent weeks, local organisations and residents across the West Rand, Johannesburg, have come together to participate in essential clean-up initiatives and tree-planting drives. Participating organisations included AfriForum, Pikitup, Health Secure, EC Security, Vuma, South Africa’s leading fibre network operators (FNO), as well as members of the Honeydew Residents Association, the Weltevredenpark Residents Association, and the Florida South Residents Association.

Rickus Swanepoel from Laerskool Florida said, “It was amazing to see those small, precious hands getting involved in the plantation of the trees. One of the trees planted was the Karee Tree, which is evergreen, frost-resistant, and can grow up to 8 metres tall with a spread of 5 metres, providing excellent shade as it matures. Our learners will enjoy their lunch breaks under its shade on bright summer days.”

The trees were planted at various locations, including Laerskool Florida, Friends of Rescued Animals, Weltevreden Park, Donkey Have and HRA (Short Street).

According to Chalaine Bester, Area Sales Manager at Vuma, partnering with the communities they serve to beautify local spaces live is a rewarding experience for the FNO, as it also reinforces the importance of community engagement in promoting a healthy, vibrant environment.

“At Vuma, we believe that building connected communities goes beyond just fibre networks,” said Bester.

“This initiative is important to us because we want people to understand that we don’t just connect communities; we connect with our communities. By working together to create greener, healthier connected spaces, we’re reinforcing the value of collective responsibility by creating positive social impact while working closely with schools, local organisations and residents.”

In addition to the tree-planting drives, neighbourhood clean-ups were conducted on 19 October at Len Rutter Park, where volunteers removed litter and helped improve the state of the area. These efforts created a ripple effect of positivity, bringing neighbours closer while addressing urgent environmental concerns.

With cleaner streets, freshly planted trees and a renewed sense of community pride, the residents of Florida were reminded of what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.

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