South Africa is preparing for what could become the country’s largest environmental initiative in a single day, with government calling on citizens to plant 10 million trees on Heritage Day, 24 September.

The campaign forms part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidential One Billion Trees Programme, which aims to mobilise all sectors of society to combat climate change through large-scale tree planting over the coming years.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) announced the initiative under the theme “My Tree, My Oxygen. Plant Yours Today”, with trees set to be planted across all nine provinces in schools, clinics, hospitals, police stations, churches, parks and residential areas.

“This programme is a call to action for every South African. It is about protecting our environment, improving our communities and safeguarding the future for generations to come,” said Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

The 2026 target builds on the success of last year’s One Million Trees Campaign, when South Africans exceeded expectations by planting more than 1.3 million trees on Heritage Day 2025. That achievement came at no cost to government, as citizens, businesses and organisations donated and planted trees themselves.

Government confirmed it will adopt the same approach this year, relying entirely on donations and partnerships rather than using public funds to purchase trees.

The initiative responds to increasing climate challenges facing the country. South Africa has experienced severe flooding in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces in recent years, along with devastating droughts, veld fires and heatwaves that have claimed lives, disrupted livelihoods and damaged infrastructure.

Beyond environmental protection, the programme aims to create economic opportunities, particularly for young people, women and persons with disabilities. Greening initiatives support nursery owners, landscapers, environmental workers and emerging entrepreneurs, aligning with job creation priorities of the Government of National Unity.

The DFFE has been distributing tens of thousands of trees to traditional leaders and communities through outreach programmes, community imbizos, school engagements and greening initiatives in recent months.

To reach the 10 million target, government is calling on businesses to sponsor trees, educators to encourage learner participation, and community leaders to mobilise neighbourhoods. Households are encouraged to plant trees in their own yards, with every tree contributing towards a greener, more climate-resilient South Africa.

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The programme forms part of government’s broader National Greening Programme, which focuses on creating sustainable settlements through tree planting, ecosystem restoration and climate change mitigation.

Government is finalising a comprehensive implementation plan that includes strengthening partnerships with academic and research organisations, integrating small and emerging nurseries into the programme, expanding partnerships with the Departments of Basic Education and Human Settlements, and supporting rehabilitation of degraded land and ecosystems.

Research shows that well-greened neighbourhoods often experience increased property values and improved quality of life, which can strengthen municipal revenue bases and support improved service delivery.

Citizens can pledge to donate trees through the department’s digital platform.

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