In partnership with Ward 101 Councillor Ralf Bittkau, the tree-planting also saw representatives from the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), representatives from Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the local community join to plant seeds for a greener tomorrow at the 110-hectar park. 

This initiative is part of the ASEZ Green Carbon Campaign, promoting environmental stewardship and a sustainable future. It is a project aimed at conserving terrestrial ecosystems, including trees, forests, and tropical rainforests, and creating “Mother’s Forests”, conducting cleanup activities to restore nature and actively urging community participation and environmental education. On the same day, ASEZ also conducted tree-plantings in Pretoria and other regions of the country. 

Councillor Bittkau expressed his gratitude to the volunteers and everyone who came to join. “ASEZ, thank you so much for the wonderful work you keep doing for our community, country and the world, and thank you for bringing us together once again this morning, and thank you to everyone who came out for this tree-planting today,” he said. 

Faith van Wyk, Branch Manager of IWPG in Southern Africa, was also thankful to be part of this voluntary activity. "As IWPG, we are still committed to volunteer work outside of our peace building initiatives, so it's a great honor to be part of this voluntary activity. Thank you."

Lolo Maga, from GDARD, expressed his excitement for the activity and being part of future events. "On behalf of the Office of the MEC at GDARD, I'm really excited to be here today with you, and we are looking forward to collaborating on upcoming events to carry out this meaningful work for the community."

ASEZ is a group of university student volunteers from the World Mission Society Church of God who act to solve practical problems around the world. The group organises events and activities to address pressing needs in communities around the world. As future leaders, ASEZ unites students, communities and governments to create real and lasting change through the SAVE Movement. The work of ASEZ takes place in more than 7 800 regions, in 178 different countries around the world, says the organisation.

People are suffering from disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, terrorist attacks, wars and climate catastrophes caused by climate change. ASEZ believes all these challenges depend on young adults and university students who are the leaders of future generations, concludes the organisation.

For more information, visit www.asez.org.

*Image courtesy of contributor