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PRESS RELEASE DATE: 1st April2008
EMBARGO: Immediate Release
LIVCOM AWARDS GIVE FRESH IMPETUS TO ENVIRONMENTAL
PROJECTS AROUND THE WORLD
Since the launch of Greening Soweto - a project aimed at
beautifying South Africa's largest township - in September
2006, over 50 000 indigenous trees have been planted along
its streets, leading to Johannesburg's "biggest greening
revolution" yet.
Greening Soweto, a legacy project of the 2010 Fifa World
Cup, aims to plant more than 300 000 trees in Soweto, to the
southwest of Johannesburg.
As just reward for their efforts, Greening Soweto was a
winner at the 2007 Liveable Communities (LivCom) Awards,
receiving a gold award in the natural built project
category.
A spokesman said the Award had given fresh impetus to the
project. At least 20 000 street trees will be planted this
year under Greening Soweto, with 50 000 being distributed to
homes. To help reduce costs and fast track the planting,
City Parks is developing a tree nursery, to grow its own
trees and to supply surplus stock to communities for other
greening projects and planting in their gardens.
To be based in Nancefield, Soweto, the nursery will
produce up to 100 000 tree seedlings a year. At five years,
the seedlings will be large enough to plant on pavements and
in parks. Younger trees will be given to householders to
plant in their gardens, particularly where pavements are too
narrow for trees.
"There will be a greater sense of urgency this year,"
Jenny Moodley, a spokesman for the project said.
Much focus will also be put on awareness programmes - an
estimated 15 000 learners from around Johannesburg will be
taught about the importance of a clean and green
environment.
To achieve some of these goals, it will establish more
partnerships with companies, individuals and organisations
that want to green Soweto. It will also maintain its
existing relationships with external stakeholders.
"Clearly they have seen the benefits," Moodley said.
Branding opportunities linked to the World Cup and an
opportunity to secure carbon credits to offset company's
carbon emissions are some of the incentives to participate
in Greening Soweto. "We will increase [these] incentives,"
she added.
The city's water, electricity and roads agencies have
also come on board to ensure maximum benefit for the
project, which won endorsement from the national Department
of Water Affairs and Forestry as well as the World
Conservation Union (IUCN).
Various partners have been working with the City to
implement Greening Soweto, including Airports Company of
South Africa, Talk Radio 702, Rand Water and former South
African Formula One ace, Jody Scheckter.
The governments of Norway and Denmark have also
contributed more than R2-million toward the programme.
Moodley said that the government, greening organisations,
companies and Sowetans had responded positively to the
project, with many pledging to take care of the trees way
after the final whistle of the World Cup has been blown.
"It is not only about 2010," she said, emphasising that
the project will benefit Sowetans after the tournament.
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