City plants hope to commemorate Indian independence
14 September 2021
The City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, and the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, joined the Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Jaideep Sarkar, and Consul General Ashok Babu for a special Arbor Month tree planting in Arundel Park in Lavender Hill to commemorate India’s 75 years of independence. The 75 plants were a donation from the Indian government.
India became an independent state in 1947 and this year will mark the beginning of the 75th anniversary of reaching freedom.
‘We congratulate India on this milestone and for initiating this event. When the Indian Consulate approached us on this greening initiative, it was the ideal opportunity to not only strengthen ties, but also to further green one of our communities. Growing saplings and trees are symbols of new beginnings, and the new branches and stems which stretch out from it are a living reminder of the beauty of life. Even in challenging environments these trees and plants can be resilient and thrive, just like we have done in life. The people of Cape Town and South Africa know the meaning of resilience, having overcome many difficulties to find triumph and new beginnings,’ said Mayor Plato.
This planting is very appropriately timed as September is Arbor Month.
The Recreation and Parks Department scouted for a location where 75 trees could be planted and recommended Arundel Park in Lavender Hill.
‘The community of Lavender Hill endures many challenges that range from gangsterism, gender-based violence and substance abuse. However, a dedicated group of community members have mobilised to take back their community. This area has established a community garden at the park which is well maintained and tended to by local residents. They are a very deserving community for an investment of such a large number of trees and this will transform the park. We believe the strong community partnership will not only bring the community together but increase the love for safe, accessible green spaces,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
This is the second major environmental project in collaboration with the Indian Consulate. In 2019, they donated 150 colourful, flowering trees to establish a garden at Ardene Gardens in honour of Mahatma Gandhi.
‘The City has planted 7 000 trees in the last three years, but our task is far from over. We will need to plant thousands more for the City to have a tree canopy cover of 10%, and to qualify as an urban forest. It’s thanks to the generosity of partners like the Indian Consulate that this target seems achievable. The City will continue to do localised tree planting through Arbor month led by our ward councillors. It is anticipated that at the end of this month we will have planted 545 trees,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
The City recently won first prize in the Metropolitan Municipality Category of the National Arbor City Awards, held in KwaZulu-Natal, by the National Dept of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment that has been running this award programme together with the Institute of Environment and Recreation Management (IERM) and TOTAL South Africa, for the past 19 years.
Caption 1: From left is Consul General of India in Cape Town Ashok Babu, His Excellency High Commissioner of India in Cape Town Jaideep Sarkar, Executive Mayor Dan Plato and Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
