Spekboom is South Africa’s favourite endemic shrub. The Vitamin-C rich succulent is excellent at sequestering carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. This may be one of the reasons the spekboom challenge has gone viral across the country. Now, the City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department and the Newlands Nursery have committed to plant 5,000 spekboom bushes.
‘Planting trees is a vital part of the efforts by the City’s Recreation and Parks Department for Cape Town to be recognised as an Urban Forest. Our participation in the Spekboom Challenge will not only motivate communities to participate but will also be a catalyst in our drive to Urban Forest recognition.
‘The Spekboom shoots will be planted at area-based events across the city on World Earth Day on 22 April 2020. We hope this will encourage residents to also get involved in tree planting and maintenance,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Read: 5 wonderful ways to use spekboom
Apart from being a strong grower and a water-wise plant, Spekboom can live up to 200 years and has the ability to adapt to environmental changes. It can be planted to beautify a garden or open space, or act as windbreaks when planted in a lane.
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department encourages everyone to join the challenge. Share a photo of your newly planted spekboom on social media with the tag #Spekboomchallenge.
The City’s Newlands nursery will be open to the public on Wednesday, 26 February 2020, from 10:00 until 12:00:
· visitors will have the opportunity to join a tour of the facility where the trees and plants that beautify Cape Town are grown
· demonstrations will be given on how to grow your own spekboom
· personnel will share information about the species best suited to Cape Town’s climate; and
· creating awareness about ways that people intentionally and unintentionally damage invaluable trees will form part of the programme.
‘I encourage residents to participate in the Spekboom Challenge. It’s an opportunity for learners, schools, community groups and educational groups to be part of a great initiative. By planting a Spekboom you investment in a clean environment, and participate in conserving and protecting nature in an urban context. Let us all do our part and plant a Spekboom,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
Also read: 11-year-old plants 750 spekboom
Image: Instagram
