MIDDELBURG – Mpumalanga MEC for Culture, Sport, and Recreation Leah Mabuza and Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Executive Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela marked Mandela Day by planting trees at Sizabaswele Care for the Aged in Mhluzi Reabota on Friday, 17 July.
The tree-planting initiative formed part of the municipality's Mandela Day programme, which also included the donation of groceries, Golden Games equipment and art paintings to elderly residents at Thandanani Old Age Centre in Mhluzi Extension 2. Speaking during the event, Mabuza said the initiative supports President Cyril Ramaphosa's call for a national tree-planting campaign.
“We are running this programme together with a tree-planting initiative. As President Ramaphosa said, this year we must all plant trees. Planting trees helps to address climate change. That is why, at every centre and public facility, we should plant at least one tree.”
She acknowledged that it was not the ideal planting season but said communities should still contribute to the national campaign.
“Although it is not the planting season, we must still do our part toward the millions of trees that must be planted across South Africa. The government's mandate is to plant continuously – whether at a school, a centre, a church or any public facility. That is why we have planted this tree today.”
Mabuza told Highveld Chronicle the care centres were selected to ensure Steve Tshwete formed part of the provincial government's Mandela Day commemorations.
The tree-planting and donations formed part of a week-long Mandela Month programme by Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.
Municipal activities began on Wednesday, 15 July, when employees from the Parks, Electrical and Civil departments dedicated their 67 minutes to upgrading John Magagula Street in Middelburg and Church Street in Mhluzi.
On Thursday, Masilela joined the Electrical Engineering Department during maintenance work on streetlights and high-mast lights in Malope Village, while the Roads and Stormwater Department completed road markings at KwaZamokuhle Thusong Service Centre and on Kogel Street in Middelburg.
The municipality also carried out the cleaning of illegal dumping sites, clearing stormwater drains, maintenance of parks and streams, road repairs, and painting park facilities throughout the week.
Masilela said the activities formed part of the municipality's "Siphush'iServiceDelivery" campaign and encouraged communities to work with the municipality to improve their neighbourhoods.
“The municipality will continue rolling out service delivery initiatives across all wards during Mandela Month. Mandela Day is about more than one day. It is about putting service first and making sure no community is left behind.”
