South Africa has planted more than seven million trees since April 2026 under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidential One Billion Trees Programme, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment announced, marking a major milestone in the country’s largest-ever national greening drive.
FAKTA
- What: 7,134,711 trees planted since 1 April 2026 under the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme
- Announced: 1 October 2026, by Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts
- Latest push: Nationwide Heritage Day tree-planting campaign on 24 September 2026, activated by President Cyril Ramaphosa
- Leading province: Western Cape, with 2,053,786 trees
- Goal: One billion trees across South Africa
Heritage Day campaign accelerates the programme
The department said participation increased during the nationwide Heritage Day tree-planting campaign on 24 September 2026, which further accelerated the implementation of the programme. President Cyril Ramaphosa activated the campaign by planting a tree at Bongolethu Stadium in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape.
Following activation by the President, tree-planting activities took place at sites across all nine provinces, led by premiers, members of executive councils responsible for environmental affairs, municipalities, traditional leaders, businesses, community organisations and citizens.
Deputy Minister Swarts led the national Heritage Day tree-planting activities at Freedom Park in Salvokop, Pretoria, where she was joined by ambassadors, high commissioners and members of the diplomatic corps.
“I am pleased that South Africans from all walks of life have embraced the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme and contributed to the planting of more than seven million trees since the start of the current financial year,” Swarts said in the department’s statement. “This achievement demonstrates our shared commitment to environmental sustainability, climate resilience and the preservation of our natural heritage.”
Volunteers plant and water young saplings during South Africa’s national greening drive.
Western Cape leads the provincial count
The department released a breakdown of trees planted since 1 April 2026 as part of the programme, by province:
| Province | Trees planted |
|---|---|
| Western Cape | 2,053,786 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 1,052,494 |
| Gauteng | 1,012,051 |
| Eastern Cape | 736,692 |
| Mpumalanga | 519,512 |
| Limpopo | 518,023 |
| Northern Cape | 515,264 |
| North West | 400,619 |
| Free State | 326,294 |
How the trees are tracked
Deputy Minister Swarts encouraged South Africans to continue planting trees throughout the year and to register their trees on the department’s One Billion Trees website by uploading a photograph and GPS coordinates. The department says the information assists in tracking participation and monitoring the growth and survival of planted trees.
Why it matters for the climate
According to the department, the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme contributes to the creation of sustainable settlements and supports efforts to protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. It also advances South Africa’s commitment towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to good health and well-being, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, and life on land.
Conclusion
With more than seven million trees in the ground in less than six months of the 2026/27 financial year, the programme has gathered clear momentum. The department describes it as a key national initiative aimed at mobilising all sectors of society to contribute to environmental sustainability, climate resilience and the greening of communities across South Africa.
More on this topic: Watan News climate coverage. Official announcement: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment statement (1 Oct 2026).
