05/06/2026
This World Environment Day, we celebrate one of the Eastern Cape’s most remarkable natural allies: The Spekboom.
Once covering millions of hectares across this region, Spekboom played a vital role in maintaining the health and function of the landscape. Over time, much of it was removed, long before we fully understood its ecological importance. The result was widespread land degradation, erosion, and the loss of critical habitat.
Today, through Kwandwe's ongoing restoration efforts, that story is changing.
What began with 350,000 Spekboom cuttings planted in just three months during 2023 has grown into something truly extraordinary. By 2024, more than 1.5 million Spekboom had been planted through the initiative. Now, in 2026, over 5 million Spekboom have been planted across more than 2,000 hectares, and we're beginning to see the landscape respond. New growth is emerging, ecosystems are recovering, and the vision of a restored landscape is becoming a reality.
Looking back over the past four years, seeing 5 million Spekboom thriving in the ground is an achievement we are incredibly proud of.
Beyond restoring the environment, this initiative has had a meaningful impact on the surrounding communities. By creating employment opportunities, developing skills, and involving local people every step of the way, the project demonstrates how conservation and community upliftment can grow hand in hand.
This World Environment Day, we celebrate the power of restoration, the resilience of nature, and the people helping to make it possible.
