The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Maggie Sotyu will launch National Arbor Month campaign on 01 September 2021 in Richards Bay, uMhlathuze Local Municipality.

This year’s National Arbor Month will be coordinated under the theme: “Forest Restoration: A path to recovery and well-being”. The theme is adopted from the United Nations Collaborative Partnership on Forests and is congruent to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for the planting of ten million trees, for the next five years in South Africa.

The Deputy Minister is expected to officiate the tree planting activities in the uMhlathuze area ahead of the National Arbor City Awards ceremony, where cities and towns that have embraced greening initiatives in their programmes will be recognised and rewarded. The awards are sponsored by Total SA, and promote the greening of cities and towns in South Africa.

The Deputy Minister will be joined by the Mayor of King Cetshwayo District Municipality: Cllr Lindokuhle Phungula and Mayor of City of uMhlathuze Municipality: Cllr Mduduzi Mhlongo.

Source: Government of South Africa