Konica Minolta South Africa honours Madiba’s legacy this Arbor Month

by Konica Minolta SA

As a key aspect of Konica Minolta South Africa’s continued work to maintain its long-term carbon neutral status the company has donated over 400 trees this month in response to government’s call to plant indigenous trees during Arbor Month, as the application of its commitment towards the sustainable management of environmental resources.

As a key aspect of Konica Minolta South Africa’s continued work to maintain its long-term carbon neutral status the company has donated over 400 trees this month in response to government’s call to plant indigenous trees during Arbor Month, as the application of its commitment towards the sustainable management of environmental resources.

In association with NPO Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), Konica Minolta South Africa has donated 200 trees to Mvezo in the Eastern Cape, where Nelson Mandela was born and grew up.

“National Arbor Week is a time during which South Africans re-emphasise the value of trees by planting and maintaining indigenous trees across the country, most especially within disadvantaged communities, which are often areas that are barren or water stressed. Through this initiative (#PlantHopeWithUs), Konica Minolta gets to bring hope, a sense of optimism, shade, and fresh air to these areas where Madiba once lived while ensuring the continuity of his legacy,” says Marc Pillay, CEO at Konica Minolta South Africa.

Through its collaboration with FTFA, Konica Minolta South Africa has planted more than 50,000 trees across the country and has been carbon-neutral since 2013. 

Over the last 12 years since the beginning of this initiative, Konica Minolta South Africa has donated trees to 1,037 beneficiary organisations, including 985 schools, 52 community centres and 11,639 homes.

Besides providing shade and oxygen for learners, the trees also help to prevent both erosion and water overflow, while fruit trees play a role in supporting food security. Around 3,500 learners have been educated as to the importance of planting trees as part of this national project, and 129 community educators have also been trained to teach students around the importance of trees, and thereby transmitting a sense of greater environmental awareness and long-term commitment to the trees.

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