Indigenous, edible, water-wise and green, the spekboom has it all
THE City’s recreation and parks department will participate in the Spekboom Challenge, with the Newlands Nursery growing 5 000 spekboom trees to be distributed for planting during Climate Change Month in April.
The purpose of the initiative is to increase awareness about the importance of trees in the urban environment. Also known as the Pork Bush or Elephant’s Food, the spekboom has the ability to absorb more carbon dioxide than any other plant.
The Spekboom Challenge is a social media drive, motivating all South Africans to plant at least 10 spekbome each in 2020.
“The spekboom shoots will be planted at area-based events across the city on World Earth Day on April 22. We hope this will encourage residents to also get involved in tree planting and maintenance,” said Mayco member for community services and health Zahid Badroodien.
Apart from being a strong grower and a water-wise plant, a spekboom can live up to 200 years and has the ability to adapt to environmental changes. It can be planted to beautify a garden or open space, or act as a windbreak when planted in a lane.
It is also edible, with very high
“It needs to be promoted as an edible plant before anything else Xolisa Bangani Community project founder
nutritional value, and can be used in a variety of ways. Needing up to half the water of other plants to survive, spekboom is an excellent choice to plant and care for.
Ikhaya Garden community project founder Xolisa Bangani said a team had planted about 20 spekboom trees in their indigenous garden.
“The plant removes carbon dioxide and helps against air pollution; it is also edible, and helps with vitamin C. I think it needs to be promoted as an edible plant before anything else, I have seen how young kids enjoy it.
“I’m also aware that even many farmers in the townships are not aware of the importance of it, and in many cases they like to plant something that they can eat,” he said.
Southern Africa Tourism Services Association project co-ordinator Aidan Lawrence said: “We initiated the Spekboom Project for tourism in July 2019, and set up a public benefit page to help inform who is growing it, where you can grow it, and how to get involved and spread the spekboom movement. There are hundreds of nurseries that now stock spekboom, making it easier for the public to help in the challenge,” said Lawrence.