March 29, 2022by Sasha Ella

Greening the township of KwaNobhule

Imagine. Believe. Achieve.

Just imagine…turning a barren, under-resourced township into a green haven. This is what a community leader, with a vision, has done in collaboration with Mantis.

Not everyone has the privilege of living in tree-lined suburbs with gardens and rolling lawns. The reality for many South Africans living in township areas is that services are limited. Often there is no running water, electricity is intermittent, roads remain untarred and everything is brown and dusty. The Mantis Collection and its Foundation, CCFA, decided to change this for the community of KwaNobhule in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The Greening the Community project – a collaboration between Mantis Foundation CCFA, Indalo Nursery and Nyosi Wildlife Reserve – would not have happened however, without visionary Blacky Witbooi, a local resident. The project aims to bring nature back into KwaNobhule by assisting and encouraging the 121 800+ residents to green the space in which they live and their community.

Blacky, founder of Indalo Nursery and the Indalo Environmental and Cultural Education* in KwaNobhule, has the African soil and the plants and trees that grown in it, in his DNA. In addition to his love of nature, he benefitted from his grandfather’s ancestral teachings, including traditional African stories, as well as the nutritional and medicinal value of plants and the importance of caring for the environment. He remembers how, as a family they lived off the land, which he says gave them everything they needed. ‘But sadly’, he says, ‘now most of the indigenous trees have gone.’

Working at the Nyosi Wildlife Reserve – home to various CCFA projects – located next to KwaNobhule, Blacky couldn’t help but compare the green and luscious estate with the dry, dusty, under-resourced, brown and barren neighbouring township. Determined to change this and help the community thrive in a more environmentally friendly environment, he shared his vision to green the community with CCFA. Together a business plan was created that would transform his dream into reality, with the ultimate goal to:

Cultivate green landscapes to improve the environment and people’s lives
Educate the youth on the importance of indigenous plants, as well as their traditional medicinal benefits, which form part of the community’s natural heritage.
Provide a green sanctuary where people can meet and reconnect with the earth and plants
Start a retail nursery within the township and create employment

The project was rolled out in phases, each with an educational element to ensure sustainability. The Adopt-a-Tree campaign was the first in a series of initiatives to support the project with 600 trees ‘up for adoption’ which were being planted at schools, churches and safe spaces within the township. The range of trees includes fruit trees – which will ultimately help feed the community – as well as Spekboom that helps remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Over 600 trees were planted by students and community members and already the environment feels brighter and breathing easier.

Simultaneously, 20 students were enrolled on a Siyazenzela’s Life and Employability Skills course, run by Wilderness Foundation Africa, aimed specifically at learning about horticulture. Two of the graduates completed a 6-month internship at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, which immersed them in the heart of the Greening the Community initiative. The focus is on indigenous horticulture, plant management, traditional medicine, wildlife, ecotourism, general conservation and awareness. The other 18 graduates are receiving ongoing mentorship through Resilience Workshops. One of the interns has accepted permanent employment at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve.

Indalo’s long term goal remains to open a nursery in KwaNobhule. This will create employment opportunities, while teaching the community about indigenous trees and plants and the importance of caring for the environment.

Blacky was determined to make this project work. ‘People don’t have the knowledge about indigenous plants and trees or understand their true value. I want to change that. It’s so rewarding to see a tree you’ve planted grow and flower. It gives me a smile on my face and an even bigger one in my heart. The land gives us so much. It’s our responsibility to look after it for future generations.’

The Greening the Community blueprint has been adopted by CCFA as a solution to finding creative, collaborative solutions to inspire and assist local communities drive environmental change at grass roots level. It’s a long-term empowerment and environmental sustainability initiative, designed to encourage young people, in particular, to play a pivotal part in ensuring a better future for all. And to become passionate conservation advocates.

KwaNohuble is the pilot project but the aim is for the CCFA to replicate it in and with, other communities.

‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.’

Listen to Blacky’s story and visit the community of KwaNohuble. https://youtu.be/xV2u4dhAblI

Get involved

Be part of the solution with this ongoing initiative… Donate today. For every R300 donation we are able to plant another tree. Not only will you be changing the lives of the KwaNobuhle community but you will also help the earth breathe a little easier, by offsetting carbon dioxide.

*Indalo Nursery: Indalo Environmental and Cultural Education is a registered Non-Profit Company founded by three members from the KwaNobuhle township, who work at the Hopewell Conservation Estate. Indalo has a multifunctional indigenous and medicinal nursery that aims to support the isiXhosa culture for future generations. The Indalo team is passionate about educating youth on the importance of indigenous plants, as well as their traditional medicinal benefits, which form part of the community’s natural heritage.