First Lady mobilises nation behind tree planting. . . takes campaign to Beitbridge

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THERE is a need for school-going children to be continuously encouraged to take good care of the environment through various means, including planting trees regularly, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has said.

She said if parents and guardians taught their children about the importance of protecting the environment and replenishing forests, the future generation would have a better place to live.

Dr Mnangagwa said it was important to embrace the young generation in tree planting and tree conservation as they are the future custodians of the environment.

The remarks were made in a speech read on her behalf by Matabeleland South Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mrs Lathiso Dhlamini-Maseko, during the national tree-planting day awareness campaign for 2022-2023 held at Lutumba Primary School in Beitbridge.

Dr Mnangagwa, who is patron of the environment, said it was important for her to go around the country, creating awareness on the need to conserve and protect forestry resources, as well as mobilising communities to extensively plant trees during the entire tree planting season.

She said deforestation can cause certain tree species to permanently disappear, thus, affecting biodiversity in the environment.

“My office is doing everything necessary to build and maintain the culture of tree planting and forest conservation by everyone across all age groups,” said Dr Mnangagwa.

“Let us also embrace our young generation in tree planting and tree conservation as they are the future custodians of our environment. We need to target grooming our school-going children into taking responsibility for the environment through tree planting.

“In catching them young, we are raising them to be responsible citizens, who will take up responsibility and action towards protection of the environment.”

Farmers were also encouraged to actively participate in tree-planting programmes to sustain their businesses.

Dr Mnangagwa commended the Forestry Commission and other development agents for continuing to complement efforts on tree planting and management.

Tree-planting activities resonate with Vision 2030, which seeks to move the country towards becoming a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030, said the First Lady.

“This vision seeks to take Zimbabwe forward as we strive for prosperous lives through empowerment as we approach the year 2030,” she said.

“This is being supported by the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) economic blueprint, which began in January 2021 and will be implemented until December 2025.

“Vision 2030 and the NDS 1 have been put in place to deliver a broad-based transformation, new wealth creation and expanding horizons of economic opportunities for all Zimbabweans and mainly focusing on leaving none behind.”

Dr Mnangagwa added that tree planting and conservation open up opportunities for creating wealth through several forest-based enterprises, which include the production of improved fruits and honey for the export market, production of nut-based cosmetics and provision of renewable energy for the tobacco industry.

She commended one of Beitbridge’s highly integrated farms — Zhovhe Farm, owned by Toppick Investments (whose owners are Zimbabweans) — for venturing into massive citrus production.

The First Lady said she was informed that Toppick Investments had planted 170 000 citrus trees against a target of 277 000 on their farm in Beitbridge.

“This is commendable and I would want to encourage more farmers to venture into such projects.

“As people who have their country at heart, it is important to protect our environment where our capital lies.

“Our natural resources are found in our environments. The trees and forests are important as we derive our livelihoods from them,” said Dr Mnangagwa.

She said there are many benefits that come from forests, including construction materials, furniture, paper, books, firewood for heating and cooking in rural areas, fruits and medicines.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister Ruth Maboyi, who is also the legislator for Beitbridge West, commended the First Lady for her commitment to protecting the environment.
She said tree planting was important as it minimises the effects of climate change such as droughts.

“Our area is rich in trees, some of which come with several non-timber products such as amacimbi (mopane worms), marula fruits, baobab fruits, and honey, and are used to make various products that can improve livelihoods at the household level,” she said.

A learner at Lutumba Primary School, Brenda Simango, said the programmes being rolled out by Dr Mnangagwa were critical for children since most of them learn good or bad habits at a tender age.

She said they had learnt a lot from the First Lady’s exemplary projects that leave no one and no place behind.

Another learner, Denzel Dziva, said: “Without trees, there would be no environment or related practical learning of such issues in school, hence, it is critical for everyone to focus on protecting the environment.”

Chief Stauze of Beitbridge West said traditional leaders were happy that issues of environmental conservation were getting the attention they deserve, especially from the country’s first citizens.

His counterpart from Beitbridge East, Chief Matibe, said: “We will do our part as traditional leaders in calling our subjects to order where issues of sustainable environmental management are concerned.”

Beitbridge East legislator Cde Albert Nguluvhe said it is impressive that the First Lady is taking environmental conversation seriously.

He said the First Lady’s efforts will go a long way in motivating communities to actively save the environment.

In a speech read on his behalf by Forestry Commission board member, Professor Munashe Shoko, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said the tree planting initiative would contribute to peaceful and harmonious communities and their beautification.