By Charmaine Ndlela
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially kicked off the planting of 10 million trees across South Africa as part of the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme, planting a ceremonial Wild Olive tree at Bongolethu Sport Stadium in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, on Heritage Day.
Ramaphosa, joined by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and Oudtshoorn Local Municipality Mayor Councillor Jan van der Roos, planted two ceremonial Wild Olive trees as South Africans across all nine provinces joined the nationwide campaign.
The tree planting forms part of the 2026 National Heritage Day celebrations and seeks to promote greener communities while strengthening the country’s response to climate change.
The Wild Olive is one of South Africa’s 2026 Trees of the Year and was selected for the Oudtshoorn planting because of its drought tolerance and suitability to the area’s environmental conditions.
Government said a total of 4,013 trees will be planted across the Garden Route District Municipality, including 1,013 in Oudtshoorn.
The President’s symbolic planting marked the activation of the nationwide mass tree-planting campaign, with communities, government, businesses and organisations expected to continue planting trees as part of the One Billion Trees Programme.
The programme seeks to mobilise South Africans from all walks of life to contribute to the greening of the country and strengthen climate resilience.
The initiative comes as South Africa continues to experience the effects of climate-related events, including floods, fires, droughts and heatwaves.
In Pretoria, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts led the national tree-planting event at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Salvokop.
Swarts planted the first tree at Freedom Park’s Forest of Freedom alongside the CEO of Freedom Park Dr Hilton Fisher and representatives from countries around the world.
A total of 30 trees representing different countries were planted at the site, symbolising unity, remembrance and a shared commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.
The programme brought together government, business, the private sector, interfaith organisations, the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations, youth formations and communities.
Delivering the keynote address, Swarts said the campaign was an important response to the growing threat of climate change.
“The #OneBillionTrees programme is aimed at addressing, among other key issues, the growing challenge of climate change and the need for bold, collective action,” Swarts said.
“The country has witnessed the devastation of climate-related disasters including floods, fires, droughts, and heatwaves. These events underscore our shared responsibility to act decisively and inclusively.”
Swarts was expected to join Gauteng MEC for Environment Ewan Botha at Noordgesig in Soweto as part of the province’s participation in the national campaign.
Tree-planting activities were also taking place across all nine provinces, led by Premiers and MECs responsible for environmental affairs.
The Heritage Day campaign is aimed at celebrating South Africa’s living heritage while encouraging communities to create greener public spaces and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Every tree planted forms part of the government’s broader effort to protect biodiversity, improve the environment and build communities that are more resilient to the effects of climate change.
