Fifty young ‘Tree-preneurs’ from the Luphisi community, just outside Nelspruit were recently treated to an educational trip at the nearby Mthethomusha Nature Reserve. The trip forms part of Wildlands’ Ubuntu Earth initiative that rewards ‘Tree-preneurs’, ‘with fun, learning experiences that give the individuals an opportunity to develop their life skills and interact with the natural environment.
Tree-preneurs are people who have been selected to participate in Wildlands’ livelihoods support programme because of the challenges they face in their lives. They are given starter kits and taught how to grow indigenous trees. Once the trees reach a certain height they can trade these trees for food, clothes, bicycles and education support (including school and university fees). One young tree-preneur has even bought a laptop with his trees! This project was catalysed through funding from Old Mutual South Africa and is now made possible through Bonitas Medical Fund.
Those who reach planting targets, such as 250, 500 and 1000 trees, are rewarded with the Ubuntu Earth experiences. Manqoba Sabela, Assistant Manager of the Ubuntu Earth initiative says Wildlands is nurturing ‘green leaders’ through these activities. “We see Green leaders as people who take responsibility for their communities and their environment. They can be of any age, or from any background, but they are making a positive contribution to the world and showing others how to do the same. We see our top tree-preneurs as emerging green leaders”, he said.
On this particular trip, the tree-preneurs took part in activities that challenged their communication skills and their ability to work in a team and helped them reflect on their existing leadership qualities, which Sabela believes we all have. All in the beautiful bushveld of Mthethomusha.
“The highlight for most was a game drive in the 4×4 game drive vehicle, courtesy of Bongani Mountain lodge,” commented Sabela. “This was a first time experience for most of the Tree-preneurs, who ironically have never even been inside the Nature Reserve, even though they live only 3km’s away.”
“I really enjoyed this experience but my favourite part was the games. I did not know I could have that much fun while learning at the same time,” exclaimed tree-preneur Sipho Mhlanga. “I learnt about biodiversity, invasive alien plants, recycling and climate change. I also learnt how to look after nature, not only for myself but the whole world. I wish that I can have opportunities like this again in the future.” The highlight of the trip for tree-preneur Swanky Nkosi was the Game Drive, “This trip made me so happy I want to have a career in protecting the environment.”
Educational Officer at Mthethomusha Nature Reserve, Thabo Zulu, thinks experiences like this with the local youth is very valuable. “It helps to get the youth involved in conservation through actually experiencing nature,” says Zulu. “I am very grateful to Wildlands for programs like this. These activities also benefit the reserve, because a better understanding of nature means a better treatment of nature.”
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)