As the SU Wordfees (Wordfest) takes place in Stellenbosch, university students along with scholars from local schools will team up again for the Trees for Words project in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the event.

Some 500 “spekbome”, known for their ability to take up carbon dioxide, will be planted by the students and learners at 16:00 at the Jan S Marais Park on Thursday, 7 March.

According to Jan Odendaal, the organiser of the project, the green committees of the Stellenbosch University residences and schools are eager and excited to do their bit and participate in the project.

As in the past, Stellenbosch Municipality will provide the trees, prepare the holes and provide irrigation. Sponsors, including Shoprite-Checkers and The Neelsie Student Centre, will make sure there is plenty of cold water and fruit juice on hand.

“The students of Irene and Eendrag residences who had to vacate their residences during the recent fire in the park will take this opportunity to help rehabilitate the garden and establish a green buffer,” said Odendaal.

Grade 8 learners from Stellenbosch High School have already started cleaning and picking up all the litter in the area where the trees are to be planted. The tree planting will take place diagonally opposite the Stellenbosch Primary and High School.