KNP CELEBRATES THE ARBOR WEEK WITH LEARNERS The Kruger National Park Management, handed-over 50 indigenous plants to the educators and learners of Matimba High School yesterday (3 September 2014) at the village called Nkavele outside Punda Maria Gate as part of the 2014 Arbor Week celebrations. “We saw it fit to celebrate the event with you this year after an assessment of your greening needs and decided to align these with our mandate as a biodiversity conservation organisation. There is a huge opportunity for these children, mostly from disadvantaged background, to learn about the protection of environment and do something about it”, explained the KNP’s General Manager: Communications and Marketing, Mr William Mabasa. The school which starts from Grade 8 to 12 is in need of adequate necessities such as proper classes, sports fields and garden. Mabasa encouraged the learners to regularly check on the trees’ progress and told them that not only will the trees give way to pride but the learners would have planted something that makes people want to stop and rest when passing by. “The idea is to spread the conservation message among these future conservationists but to also ensure they play a meaningful role in the environmental sector. Starting a garden, whether flowers or vegetables, can give learners a quality environmental record and more, they can boost their diet with the healthiest home grown foods”, continued Mabasa. Skukuza nursery, which has a wide range of selection in indigenous trees, donated the tree species to the school suitable for the weather conditions at the engaged regions. The celebrations in the KNP will continue throughout the Week, with planting of more trees at various schools in different communities bordering the Park. On annual basis, the KNP as well as other national parks participates in these tree planting celebrations. The Park engages with community forums and other relevant committees to build capacity and assist local communities to come up with ideas, develop and implement sustainable greening projects in their communities. … Ends Captions: Photo 1 & 2: Malamulele East Circuit Manager - Department of Education, Dr William Chabalala dry-runs the wheelbarrow with tools which KNP Management handed over to Matimba High School as part of the Arbor Week celebrations. Looking on is (left to right): KNP’s General Manager: Nxanatseni Region - Mr Reuben Ngwenya, KNP’ Social Ecologist Nxanatseni North – Mr Witness Mamatho, Matimba School Manager - Mr Jeremiah Sithole, School Governing Body (SGB) Chairperson – Mr Risimati Nghonyama, KNP’s General Manager : People & Conservation – Ms Helen Mmethi, Pastor Shirinda of the Malamulele Pastors Fraternal and the Matimba High School learners. Photo 3: Clockwise - Matimba High School Learners together with Mr Reuben Ngwenya, Mr Risimati Nghonyama and Hosi Sambo of the Ntlhveni Tribal Authority plant one of the donated trees at the school as part of the celebrations. Issued by: Communications and Marketing Department - Kruger National Park, Contact: Tel: 013 735 4262, cell: 082 807 1441 or email: [email protected] Enquiries: William Mabasa, GM: Communications and Marketing Department, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or email: [email protected]
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 10:44:00 +0000
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