Doing away with dusty streets of Soweto
September 2011,
The effects of tree cutting have had a negative impact on our environment - with air pollution and soil erosion rife. For this reason, September is an important part of our annual calendar- not only do we celebrate our heritage, we also dedicate the entire September to Arbour month.
Johannesburg City Parks, in association with Primedia Outdoor, Sowetan and the Soweto Development Committee have committed to the greening of South African, especially township, schools.
City Parks donated three trees to Fons Luminus Secondary School and invited their media partners and the school learners and teachers to join them in the planting of these trees.
Addressing the learners at the Diepkloof, Soweto school, Mosa Maruping, Environmental Education Specialist from City Parks said, “We are committed to the greening of township schools. The time has come for us to do away with the phrase: from the dusty streets of Soweto. There is nothing stopping this area and school from being leafy and green like the ones found in the suburbs.”
After taking a tour of the school and seeing the dire need for more trees and sports facilities at the school, City Parks donated 100 more trees, which will be donated tomorrow. Fons Lumins’ Environmental Co-ordinator, Busisiwe Ledwaba, welcomed 100 trees with enthusiasm and together with the student, pledged to nurture and cherish these trees.
Fons Luminus Secondary School is embarking on a major face-lift, aiming to make the school a state of the art learning institute in Soweto. They have also recently started a food garden to support learners in need and to educate them about growing their own vegetables – after all, fruits and vegetables don’t grow from supermarkets.
While on the subject of the environment, the school would appreciate more sponsorship in the form of sporting equipment which will encourage the children to appreciate the outdoors more.
For more details contact Bheki Shongwe from the Soweto Development Committee on 083 709 5575 or email him on GISRC@mweb.co.za
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Mosa Rametse from City Parks, teachers and students from Fons Luminus Secondary
School. See more images in our Social
Gallery.
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