On Tuesday, 19th of October 2010, the Faculty of Sciences and representatives of Economic Sciences and Engineering, celebrated 'Green Month' on campus by planting some sixteen indigenous trees at Coetzenburg, on the slopes of the mountain. The Natural Sciences Student Committee (NSC) started the initiative in co-operation with Property Services when they decided to plant a tree at the close of their term. Ms. Shaan Pool, one of the NSC members started the initial discussions with Ms. Meg Pittaway from Property Services, who suggested an area above the Sports Institute of Stellenbosch University, where they were clearing pine trees damaged during the devastating fires that swept across Stellenbosch Mountain in 2007.

The initial idea of the NSC was expanded to also include all the Heads of Departments in the Science Faculty, as well as representatives of Economic Sciences and Engineering. This is the first time that academic departments took part in the Green Month initiative and according to Ms. Pool, the students of the Academic Affairs Committee hope to make this a sustainable project. A total of 5 Heads of Departments and 5 representatives, as well as the Natural Sciences, Economic Management and Engineering Student Committee and were present (pictured):

Mr. Japie Goldie (representative: Chemistry & Polymer Sciences), Prof. Willem Visser (Head: Computer Sciences); Prof. Doug Rawlings (Head of Department: Microbiology & Vice-dean: Sciences); Prof. Ingrid Rewitzky (Head of Department: Mathematical Sciences); Prof. Jacky Snoep (representative: Biochemistry); Prof. Erich Rohwer (Head of Department: Physics); Prof. Conrad Matthee (Head of Department: Botany and Zoology); Prof. Eugene Cloete (Dean: Faculty of Science); Prof. Helmut Prodinger (representative: Mathematics); Prof. André Weideman (Head: Applied Mathematics); Prof. John Clemens (Head of Department: Geography and Environmental Studies). Photograph: Lydia Willems.

Mr. John de Wet from Property Services explained their plans for greening of the popular hiking and recreation area above Coetzenburg stadium. The trees that were chosen are typical of the Cape fynbos biome, e.g. Sideroxylon inerme (Milkwood), Rapanea malanophloes (Cape beech), Celtis africana (white Stinkwood), Ilex mitis (Cape Holly), Curtisia dentata (Assegaai), Cunonia capensis (Rooi-els) and Podocarpus falcatus (Yellowwood).

With the light of the setting sun, we raised our glasses to another step towards a greener, more sustainable future and toasted the first of what we hope will become many tree-planting events by both the students and staff of Stellenbosch University.

Author : Lydia Willems