On the 10th of March 2012, 5 Wildlands’ green-preneurs were rewarded with bicycles at Spier in the Western Cape (an award winning producer of wine), for growing between 300-600 trees in their local communities. Most of the recipients stay in informal settlements, and considering their average living space is 30m2 this makes their achievement that much more impressive.
The bicycles were donated by Mylan, Qhubeka and the Wildlands Conservation Trust. Mylan is one of the world’s leading generics and specialty pharmaceutical companies, providing products to customers in more than 150 countries.
Qhubeka supports Projects whereby individuals earn bikes as a reward for work done in their communities, and Qhubeka maintain that bicycles play a vital role in advancing sustainable socio-economic development around the world.
Lesley Joemat, who is a Wildlands Initiative Manager based at Spier, introduced all of the 5 green-preneurs to the tree-planting program that sees people bartering their trees for useful items, such as building materials, food, clothing and even school fees.
Lesley, together with Mylan CEO Paul Miller and senior management staff, proudly handed over bikes to: Katrina Visagie of Eerste Rivier (50); Monica Nelson from Delft (41); Natasha Fataar also from Delft (36); Maria Johnson from Mitchells Plain (55) and Pieter Rudolph of Kuilsrivier (27).
“These 5 individuals are collectively responsible for the growing and maintaining of almost 3500 trees in the Western Cape, and this number is on the increase daily. These people are transforming their communities while also expanding their personal entrepreneurship skills,” commented Lesley Joemat of Wildlands.
With the help of their partners, PSG Consult, Col’Cacchio and Spier, Wildlands have ensured these previously unemployed individuals are making a living while greening their communities – an amazing success story.
PICTURE CAPTION: Green-preneurs are presented with their shiny new bicycles by Wildlands, Spier, PSG Consult & Col’Cacchio representatives.
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)