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Herald Reporter
TELONE has given 340 tree seedlings to the Women’s University in Africa for an orchard as a contribution to National Tree Planting Day, celebrated every first Saturday of December.
The theme for this year’s National Tree Planting Day is: “Trees and Forests for Ecosystem Restoration and Improved Livelihoods”.
The seedlings came from Chikurubi Prison Complex, the result of a tree planting scheme funded by TelOne.
University staff members and students have praised TelOne for the initiative, saying it would help block air pollution from nearby industrial sites.
Office administrator Mr Charles Choluwa said: “This initiative is very important because we didn’t have an orchard, so this is the best thing to have ever happened to us. We pledge to maintain and enjoy fruits from these tree plants. We want to thank TelOne for the seedlings.” Student Tadiwanashe Chifamba said the initiative was great as it not only provides fruit, but also improved vegetation on the campus.
TelOne managing director Dr Chipo Mtasa, who was represented at the recent occasion by finance and administration director Mr Bernard Makanza, said the environment was among the key pillars of the company’s corporate social investment programmes, derived from Social Development Goal 13 on Climate Change and Sustainable Environmental Management.
“Among the flagship programmes under this pillar is the Provide-a-Bin Programme as well as the Plant-A-Tree Programme,” said Dr Mtasa.
“TelOne has been running its tree planting programme since 2017 where we have been donating seedlings to institutions for the development of orchards and woodlots.”
The creation of orchards at prisons started as an environmental intervention through tree planting, aiming to empower prisoners to ensure the sustainability of the tree planting programme, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).
“Our partnership with ZPCS is meant to expand the TelOne tree planting programme in a cost effective manner as the tree seedlings for our programmes are now being provided to us by the institution and ZPCS benefits from the programme by selling the seedlings to other clients and partners for its sustainability.
“Furthermore, the prisons are set to benefit in the long term from the orchards that are expected to start producing fruit for prisoners’ consumption and also for sale with proceeds expected to benefit the Prisons and Correctional Services,” she said.
Dr Mtasa said 340 tree seedlings were produced at Chikurubi Prison Farm, and pledged to offer support in maintaining the orchard.
“It is in this regard that today we are proud to present to you 340 various tree seedlings that were produced under our programme at Chikurubi Prison Farm.”
University Vice Chancellor Professor Sunungurayi Chingarande said tree planting had become a necessity to mitigate issues of climate change, livelihoods and food security.
“Our Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, based at our main campus in Marondera through its programmes for environmental management, will be our focal desk to lead in planting more trees,” she said.
Online Reporter