Plant today and harvest tomorrow: AfriForum’s Hessekwa branch plants fruit trees at three local schools
Three schools in the Hessequa Local Municipality will literally be able to reap the fruits of their learners’ labour within the next few years when the fruit trees that were planted here last week together with AfriForum’s Hessekwa branch start bearing apples, figs and apricots. This forms part of AfriForum’s annual Arbour Month Project, which is undertaken on a national basis during September.
On 7 September, the Hessekwa branch planted apricot, apple and fig trees at Vondeling NAK Primary School outside Witsand, De Waalville Primary School in Heidelberg and Small Dreams Special Needs Educational Daycare Centre in Riversdale. The trees were donated for this project by Khanyo Mwandla, senior forestry development officer stationed in the Knysna office.
“Through this project the children were taught to plan for their future in a practical way,” says Vivian Louwrens, chairperson of AfriForum’s Hessekwa branch. “Just as these trees will bear fruit for everyone in the future, our actions now can also affect us and our community’s future. In this way, we teach the children to plan for their future and make it their own.”
The branch gave preference to fruit trees because it will make a tangible difference in the school children’s lives for many years. The children helped to plant the trees and thus also took ownership of their environment.
Ben Dell, vice-chairperson of the Hessekwa branch, explained the importance of supporting the community to the children. “A rising tide lifts all boats and just as every schoolchild can benefit from these fruit trees, the communities of Heidelberg, Witsand and Riversdale can benefit from AfriForum’s community-driven initiatives,” explains Dell.
With a view to establishing a local neighbourhood and farm watch, AfriForum’s Hessekwa branch will host an open day in Heidelberg on 30 September. Speakers will talk about AfriForum as a civil rights organisation and the importance of community safety.
Contact Vivian Louwrens on 082 572 7472 or send an e-mail to hessekwa@afriforumtak.co.za for more information.
