Verder Group, a leader in global technology, is taking a significant step towards environmental and social responsibility by planting 2 000 olive trees at the award-winning Mardouw Olive Estate between Ashton and Swellendam, one for each of its employees worldwide.
The tree-planting ceremony, which took place at Mardouw Olive Estate, saw the attendance of notable figures including Schalk van Eeden, the Executive Mayor of Langeberg Municipality, Richard Hattersley, MD of Verder Scientific SA, Nina Verder from the Verder family, and Mardouw’s Executive Chair, Gerbrand Nijman.
Richard Hattersley expressed the importance of this initiative, stating, “This is our way of showing commitment to sustainability and the belief in working together for a better future. By partnering with Mardouw Olive Estate, known for its top-quality extra virgin olive oil, we aim to lessen our environmental impact. We chose to plant over 2 000 trees here as our team is growing, and we anticipate having more than 2 000 employees soon.”
Gerbrand Nijman of Mardouw highlighted the environmental benefits of the new trees. “These trees will not only help produce more of our award-winning olive oil, but also contribute to a healthier environment,” he said. “We’re proud of caring for these trees and continuing to produce high-quality olive oil, and being recognised globally with numerous awards. It’s an honour for us to nurture these trees.”
Wendy Petersen, CEO of the SA Olive Industry Association, praised the initiative for its wide-ranging benefits. “Planting new olive trees is a fantastic move with long-term advantages for our industry. There’s a global demand for high-quality olive oils and olives, and increasing production can be very profitable. More than just about economic gains, this effort is vital for sustainability and caring for the environment. It also has significant social benefits, especially in creating jobs. The entire process from planting to harvesting olives opens up many employment opportunities, making this a comprehensive solution for long-term sustainability.”
