Stellenbosch has been recognised as the National Tree Town of the Year in a competition held annually and presented by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in conjunction with the Institute for Environmental and Recreational management.
The main aim of the competition is to recognise cities and towns for excellence in management green areas and heritage sites.
Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch, Gesie van Deventer said she was thrilled to be able to receive the award for Tree Town of the Year on behalf of the municipality. The Mayor added that it showed that the municipality was doing its best in the interests of the community.
The theme for 2017 was “forests and water” and came at a time where Stellenbosch, and most of the Western Cape, was battling to deal with the impact of the ongoing drought in the province. This meant that municipalities had to be creative and water wise when it came to managing green areas. Mayor van Deventer reiterated that the Stellenbosch Municipality was committed to provide green spaces for residents and that the character of the region was enhanced by its reputation to protect and develop its green spaces.