Since the start of the 2026/27 financial year on April 1, South Africans have planted a total of 7,134,711 trees across the country. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment announced this milestone, crediting government, businesses, civil society, traditional leaders, and ordinary South Africans for their contributions to the programme. This effort is part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's initiative to increase tree planting and restore terrestrial ecosystems.
The Western Cape province has recorded the highest number of trees planted, with 2,053,786 trees, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 1,052,494 and Gauteng with 1,012,051. Other provinces have also made significant contributions, with the Eastern Cape recording 736,692 trees, Mpumalanga 519,512, and Limpopo 518,023. The Northern Cape, North West, and Free State provinces have also participated in the programme, with 515,264, 400,619, and 326,294 trees planted, respectively.
Deputy Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Bernice Swarts welcomed the milestone, saying it demonstrates growing public participation in the national programme. She credited South Africans from all walks of life for embracing the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme and contributing to the planting of over seven million trees since the start of the current financial year.
The department reported an increase in participation during a nationwide tree-planting campaign held on Heritage Day on September 24. President Ramaphosa launched the campaign by planting a tree at Bongolethu Stadium in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape. The campaign was subsequently rolled out across all nine provinces, with premiers, MECs, municipalities, traditional leaders, businesses, community organisations, and residents taking part.
Minister Swarts led national activities at Freedom Park in Salvokop, Pretoria, where members of the diplomatic corps also participated. She expressed her appreciation to all Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and members of the diplomatic corps who joined in the initiative, demonstrating the global commitment required to address environmental challenges and build a sustainable future for all.
The Presidential One Billion Trees Programme is part of the government's efforts to increase tree planting, restore terrestrial ecosystems, and improve the greening of communities while contributing to climate resilience. Minister Swarts said the over seven million trees planted since April represent another contribution towards the much larger national target of planting one billion trees.
The department has urged South Africans to continue planting throughout the year and to register planted trees on its online platform by submitting photographs and GPS coordinates. Minister Swarts encouraged those who have not yet taken part to join the One Billion Trees movement, saying every South African's participation is crucial to achieving the national target and strengthening the country's efforts to combat climate change.
Key points
- Over 7.1 million trees have been planted across South Africa since April 1 as part of the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme.
- The Western Cape province has recorded the highest number of trees planted, with 2,053,786 trees.
- The programme aims to plant one billion trees and contribute to climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
