In Kimberley, a concerning trend has emerged as more trees are being cut down at an alarming rate compared to the number of replacements being made. This problem is particularly evident around Carrington Road, where the ratio of trees being cut down to those being planted is an astonishing 45 to 2 within less than one square kilometre over the last 10 years. This trend, if applied to other areas of the city, paints an even more grim picture of the city’s tree population.
In 2016, Massimo Mazzoncini, the head of parks and gardens at the Sol Plaatje Municipality, claimed that there were approximately 50,000 fruit-bearing olive trees in Kimberley. However, this assertion appears to be nothing more than a fairy tale. In fact, the city seems to resemble more of a barren wasteland each year, increasingly resembling the largest dumpsite in the Kalahari Desert.
To make matters worse, it is evident that the local municipality’s actions are mismanaged and ineffective. There have been allegations of trees being harvested for personal use, along with poorly executed maintenance and trimming, leading to obstructive overgrowth. Examples of this mismanagement can be seen at various sites, such as the SAPS ORS and POCC Offices on Kenilworth Road, where several old trees were needlessly cut down despite alternative plans being available.
Additional instances of tree loss have been noted along Samaria Road in the suburb of Cassandra, as well as the areas surrounding Greenside and the road with no name (according to Google Maps) leading to Ekapa mine at Molyneaux Road. The absence of proper planning and the indiscriminate harvesting of Acacias has only exacerbated the problem.
The gravity of the situation demands immediate action. Perhaps one of our bright students from Sol Plaatje University could develop an algorithm to analyze satellite images of Kimberley, providing an accurate assessment of the city’s tree loss.
Sadly, the wanton destruction of trees and the subsequent loss of vegetation is only one of many issues stemming from mismanagement, inaction, and exploitation. The concerning lack of care and disregard for the environment is evident at every level, from the municipality and the council to environmental affairs and political parties.
It is time for the authorities, including the Sol Plaatje Municipality, the ANC, the DA, and other relevant organizations, to acknowledge the urgent need for intervention. Only through decisive action and the implementation of strict environmental conservation laws can Kimberley hope to reverse its current trajectory and safeguard its natural resources for future generations.