Engen employees have marked the arrival of Spring and celebrated Arbour Month by volunteering at a tree planting initiative to help green schools and mental health facilities in the South of Durban.

In partnership with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), eThekwini Municipality’s South Durban Basin Area Based Management and local community representatives, the tree planting volunteer day took place on Thursday, 14 September 2023.

Attending the event, Engen Enterprise Risk and Assurance GM, Siphokazi Vabaza and Engen Stakeholder Engagement and Transformation Manager, Dr James Xolani Nyawera, thanked all Engen volunteers and partners for their contribution and attendance.

Nyawera said Engen was grateful for the opportunity to partner with Food & Trees for Africa and play a part in greening the neighbourhood. 

“The planting of indigenous trees is a practical and symbolic gesture of sustainable environmental management which benefits all. We hope that this tree planting drive will help improve the quality of life of residents in the area,” commented Nyawera.

A total of 88 trees were donated and distributed to schools and a mental health facility based in South Durban on 14 September including:

●        Wentworth Secondary School (30) 

●        Durban Coastal Mental Home (50) 

●        Merebank Secondary School (8)

In addition, another 32 trees will be distributed and planted at South Durban schools and mental health facilities over the next couple of months, taking the total donation to 120 trees.

Susan Evans, Events and Tree Distribution Manager at FTFA thanked Engen for their contribution and said that strategic greening initiatives enhance the fundamental safety net that NGOs provide in developing countries. 

“The addition of these trees improves access to green spaces, adds to biodiversity and, once planted, will also offset approximately 44.28 tonnes of carbon dioxide over a 40-year tree growth period,” continued Evans.

“The tree planting volunteer day was thoroughly enjoyed by all, enabling 20 Engen employees to get involved in a hands-on and meaningful way, while contributing towards building community relationships.”

Nyawera added, “It is Engen’s firm hope that this initiative as well as our other South Durban greening projects drive sustainable co-creation with local authorities and communities to create further opportunities that enhance the lives of local communities.”

As a company, Engen supports the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). This is reinforced by this collaborative greening initiative, which primarily demonstrates a focus on SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land.