‘South Africans are drowning’: Ramaphosa faces backlash over tree-planting campaign

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandPresident Cyril Ramaphosa argues that tree planting supports food security, job creation and economic empowerment. Picture: Freddy Mavunda © Business Day Story audio is generated using AI

President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced backlash on social media after highlighting the progress of the Presidential One Billion Trees Campaign, with some South Africans questioning whether the initiative should be a priority amid the country’s socioeconomic challenges.

Ramaphosa said more than seven million trees had been planted across the country since April as part of the campaign, which aims for more than one billion trees to be planted over the next five years.

“Since April this year, more than seven million trees have been planted across all provinces under the Presidential One Billion Trees Campaign. More than two million trees have been planted in the Western Cape alone, with more than one million trees in each of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. It is particularly impressive that more than half a million trees have been planted in the country’s driest province, the Northern Cape,” said Ramaphosa.

The announcement drew criticism on X, with some users arguing that the government should be focusing on issues like unemployment and crime.

“Why are we talking about trees when there are far more pressing matters at hand? South Africans are struggling with unemployment, crime, poverty and the rising cost of living. Shouldn’t addressing these issues be the priority?” said Mpho Moepshe.

“You have failed the very people who voted for you and believed that you would do right by them. Our country is being handed to foreigners on a silver platter and all you can talk about is trees,” said Noluthando Zondo.

“Please tell us about something that is helpful. SA is drowning and you’re not providing any solution except for telling us about trees. Are your actions part of the oath you swore to serve this country with fairness and deliver us from the hardships? We are tired,” said Faith Msomi.

Ramaphosa said the campaign was not simply about planting trees, arguing that it was also intended to address inequality, food security, job creation and economic empowerment.

He said greening programmes could help address the spatial inequality created by apartheid-era planning, which resulted in historically white suburbs having more trees and green spaces than townships.

“Addressing and overcoming the geography of inequality we inherited necessitates that greening programmes must also substantively contribute to advancing food security, rural development and the economic empowerment of women,” he said.

According to Ramaphosa, most of the trees being planted are indigenous and have been selected according to local conditions. Fruit trees, including citrus, avocado and grape varieties, are also being planted.

He said fruit trees could contribute to household food security and support community and school food gardens, while surplus produce could provide an income.

The department of forestry, fisheries and the environment has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the department of human settlements to help ensure that a fruit tree is planted alongside every new subsidised house.

Ramaphosa pointed to projects such as the She Evolves project in the Free State, where women have been leading tree-planting initiatives to generate income and the Innesfree Park urban garden in Sandton, where a mother-and-daughter team grows fruit, vegetables and herbs to support feeding schemes and create employment opportunities for women.

He said the campaign could also create employment and skills-development opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme.

“Workers from the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) are playing a key role in the campaign, assisting with land preparation, transporting trees to planting sites, planting and horticultural maintenance,” said Ramaphosa.

Skills acquired through the programme could help young people find work or establish businesses in areas such as landscaping, tree maintenance and plant production.

Ramaphosa also highlighted the campaign’s focus on indigenous trees and the removal of invasive alien species.

“Large parts of urban and rural South Africa are covered by dense canopies of non-indigenous trees that were planted by former colonial authorities, among other things, to meet the growing demand for timber,” he said.

He said invasive alien trees could place pressure on scarce water resources, threaten indigenous vegetation and increase the risk and severity of wildfires.

Ramaphosa said removing invasive species could itself become an economic activity, with cleared alien vegetation being used for biomass and other industrial applications.

He called on South Africans, businesses, schools and community organisations to participate in the campaign.

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