TSHIKUNDAMALEMA – In an effort to showcase the value attached to the baobab tree by the citizens of Limpopo, the provincial arbor week and tourism month celebration was held at the tourist attraction, Big Tree (Baobab) at Madifha last Thursday.

As the trees for the year 2005 are the Baobab and False Cabbage and they are both found in the Mutale area, the provincial government, led by Premier Sello Moloto, celebrated the provincial arbor week, tourism month and the launching of the Limpopo Offroad challenge at the Tshikundamalema territorial council at Mutale Municipality within the Vhembe district. As the custodian of the campaign, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry collaborated with the Department of Economic Development and Environment and Tourism and the Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board to showcase the Big Tree Baobab as one of the important icons and a tourist attraction.

The Big Tree Baobab is situated in the deep rural area of Madifha in the Tshikundamalema territory. This largest Baobab tree in the country is reported to be 22 metres high, with a massive trunk diameter of 10,4 metres and a crown diameter of 38,2 metres. In Tshivenda, the tree is loosely translated as Muvhuyu and it is fire and termite resistant.

According to the mayor of Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Sam Moeti, this district is unique and stands a chance to reach the limelight in the country because it is blessed with baobab trees. He said that the baobab trees were treasures and the wealth of the district.

“We regard the planting of trees and preserving of the environment of vital importance in this district and we are urging the entire population to do alike. You cannot find these trees except in the northern remote area of the province, which is dry and lacks water. Through arbor week, we will be sensitising our people about the cutting of trees as they fully depend on wood for energy,” he claimed.

Cllr ML Manyuha, mayor of Mutale local Municipality, said the celebration of arbor week and tourism month within his municipality has boosted their marketing strategy. “We have already begun to develop this area (Big Tree) in terms of preservation by fencing. Our intention is to facilitate a co-operative for the community, so that the community could manage this tree. After registering this co-operative, the facility will be transferred to residents for them to use it and create jobs,” he said.

The MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Collins Chabane, officially launched the Limpopo Offroad Challenge 2006, at Zwigodini village later on the same day. The annual Limpopo Offroad challenge is an exciting event on the extreme sports calendar and offers a unique showcase of Limpopo, according to Chabane.