The project was launched by the City in association with Johannesburg City Parks, in preparation for the hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Mayor Masondo reinforced that the city has, ‘a moral responsibility, to capitalize on the momentum of this landmark event, to ensure that greening disparities are addressed’.
Soweto possesses huge historical and social significance in South Africa and has also in recent years become a major attraction for both local and foreign tourists and visitors.
Dr James Murombedzi Regional Director of IUCN Southern Africa noted that the Greening Soweto Initiative is in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity, which calls for the rehabilitation and restoration of degraded ecosystems. It is a collection of activities to restore wetlands and riverine corridors, restore the water and air purifying services associated with ecosystems in urban areas, and to also provide nature-based spiritual and recreational amenities.
It is gratifying to note that the Greening Soweto initiative is an important part of the broader City strategy to promote sustainable development in an environment-friendly way.
Planting trees not only assists in beautifying and softening the landscape-but creates public places that are a source of pride and joy to residents and provides children with safe and enjoyable places to play close to their homes.
Councillor Prema Naidoo, the Chairperson of Environment in the City of Johannesburg paid tribute to the partnership and reiterated that the planting of 2010 street trees ‘will restore the integrity of the environment, and return the dignity of the suburb, to the people of Mapetla.’
The IUCN is delighted to be a member of the Greening Soweto Partnership. On behalf of the Union, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to The Danish and Norwegian governments for the financial support, as well as to Government of South Africa and Johannesburg City Parks for their support and confidence in this initiative.
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For further Information contact:
Dumisani Shoyise
World Conservation Union (IUCN)
Tel: (012) 342-8304
Email: dumisani.shoyise@iucn.org
Jenny Moodley
Spokesperson:Johannesburg City Parks
Tel: (011) 712-6615 or 082 8030 748
Email: jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com