A Limpopo-based construction company has displayed that it does not only build bridges, but also cares for the community within which it operates. They donated trees to a rural primary school last week.

The company, Pele Kaofela, is commissioned to reconstruct the Lutanandwa Bridge in the Levubu area. In the process, they destroyed some of the trees.

As part of their arbour celebrations, they requested community leaders to identify one school where they could plant trees as to replace those they destroyed during construction.

Matavha Primary School at Tshakhuma in the Louis Trichardt area was a hive of activity on Friday when pupils, teachers and community leaders joined the construction company in planting the trees at the school premises. Learners did not only get the chance to plant trees but received a lecture on the importance of trees.

Addressing the learners and other guests, Ward 28 Makhado councillor Mr Joas Murovhi urged learners and those gathered to take care of the environment. “Trees play an important role in our lives and we should not destroy them, but our job is to conserve and take care of them,” he said. Murovhi said it was sad to see that many trees were cut for use by the community but were never replaced. He said trees were used for firewood, timber, traditional medicines, furniture, and fruits, but people continued to destroy them.

“Look at the mountains - they are bar. Floods will sweep away all the fertile soil and the community will be the one to suffer. Let us all stand up and conserve our God-given gift,” he said. Murovhi thanked the company for keeping its word and making trees available for the school. He said by bringing trees to the school, it had brought life as trees are the source of oxygen.

Ms Elelwani Lusunzi, community liason officer at the construction site, said the company had absorbed more than 40 formerly unemployed people and it was equipping them with skills. She said the skills would make them ready for the job market even after the completion of the bridge.

Representing the company, Ms Mihloti Mahlawule said the trees were a way of ploughing back into the community. Mr Makondelela Sigida, from Lwatshatsimu Land Care Project, a programme that conserves flooding areas, said the donation was a boost to their programme. “Tshakhuma is a mountainous area and is easily flooded. The trees will have a big impact in curbing the floods,” he said.