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Trees and a Community Programme Grow side by side

February 14, 2012

The KZN Integrated Greening Programme was launched through a unique partnership between the KZN Provincial Government and the Wildlands Conservation Trust on the 1st of April 2011. This partnership was catalysed through the Sukuma Sakhe initiative, which aims to bring the communities of KZN together to “stand up and build” in partnership with the KZN Government, local businesses and civil society.

The Programme is focused on creating local employment opportunities for the poor and unemployed, with emphasis on activities which will clean and green our communities whilst restoring the rivers, grasslands and forests which sustain us.

Since the 1st April this Programme has created 352 full-time jobs and 2 189 part-time jobs, across the uMgungundlovu, uMkhanyakude, Sisonke, uThungulu and Zululand District Municipalities and eThekweni Metropolitan Municipality. These jobs represent an amazing 81 671person days. In the process 467 414 trees have been grown, 277 891trees planted and 519 723 kg’s of recycling collected – cleaning and greening our communities. The majority (78%) of the community members involved in the programme are women (1990). This represents a significant investment in the stability of our communities, as these women are the backbone of our society, nurturing stable homes and the future of our children.

“This Programme is gathering momentum rapidly. By the 31st March 2012, a further 40 000 person days will have been achieved, an additional 60 000 trees grown, 150 000 trees planted and 600 000 kg’s of recycling collected. This is an amazing achievement, demonstrating the collective commitment of all the partners involved in this world class program, to transforming our province through the sustainable upliftment of our communities,” commented Dr Andrew Venter, CEO of the Wildlands Conservation Trust.