OVER 35 000 SEEDLINGS DONATED BY STANDARD BANK, MONTIGNY AND EZIGRO TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS

A donation of over 35 000 wattle tree seedlings was yesterday received by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs at Bhunya, in the Manzini Region. This donation was made through a unique partnership between Standard Bank Eswatini, Montigny and Ezigro Seedlings in support for Government’s drive to plant 1.2 million trees in 2023. The donated seedlings will be planted in communities across Eswatini to support the reforestation of degraded land and form woodlots.

“As Government, we are commemorating International Day of Forests 2023 by committing to plant 1.2 million trees in communities that have been scourged by deforestation as well as embarking on several initiatives in schools, that will raise awareness about the importance of trees and forests in line with the UN theme for this year, which is Forests and health. We are grateful for the generous donations made by corporates around the country including Montigny, PSPF, Standard Bank and Ezigro,” said Wilfred Nxumalo, the Senior Officer – Forests at the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs during the donation handover.

According to the United Nations, forests can mitigate some of the human health related effects of climate change, by acting as carbon sinks, regulating the planet’s temperature, and mediating water flows. Forests play a role in poverty alleviation and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet despite all these ecological, economic, social and health benefits, forests are endangered by fires, pests, droughts, and unprecedented deforestation to sustain societal growth and development.

Speaking at the donation handover of the over 35 000, Standard Bank’s Head of Brand and Marketing, Sibusile Sigwane, said that the Bank was proud to partner with Montigny and Ezigro to make a significant donation towards this key national initiative.

“As a Bank, we believe that Eswatini is our home and as part of our Group’s Climate policy, we are striving to create positive impact through our business on important aspects of Eswatini’s pursuit of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Climate change is an important issue with implications for Eswatini’s growth. Through such critical alliances with our clients and partners, we have the opportunity to play a leading role in supporting the sustainable management of forests in the country, contributing to the well-being of current and future generations,” said Sigwane.

In 2020, the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs launched this national tree planting initiative with a target of planting 10 million trees in 5 years. The Government has requested the support of key stakeholders to ensure that the country is able to attain this objective.

“Montigny is directly invested in ensuring sustainable forest management. We are committed to ensuring that communities across Eswatini know how to curb deforestation and engage in the sustainable use of trees. We employ a large team of trained rangers that work with the communities to raise awareness about fire prevention and management. Additionally, with this donation, we believe that together with our partners, we are contributing to future generations in Eswatini. As the Chinese proverb says, the best time to plant trees was 20 years ago and the next best time is today,” this was said by Jonathan Gower of Montigny.

Meanwhile, Madibha Dlamini echoed this and stated that Montigny through support from PSPF was proud of this significant partnership that supports schools and communities across the country.

“Planting trees ensures our future as emaSwati as trees have many beneficial uses. They purify the water, clean the air, capture carbon to fight climate change, provide food and life-saving medicines, as well as improve our well-being,” concluded Dlamini.

Ezigro Seedlings, represented by Esmarie Gower, also expressed that the company was grateful for the partnership established with Montigny and Standard Bank to support the national tree planting initiative.

“This initiative is at the heart of everything our company believes in. Our children must be taught the value of trees and plants. While we may use trees for food, fire and medicine, we must also be intentional about planting trees to offset what we use so that we have forests for our future,” said Gower.