Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Arbour Month: AfriForum’s Keimoes branch plants 144 trees and plants for a greener Kalahari

During Arbour Month – which AfriForum observed in September – the organisation’s Keimoes branch, in collaboration with various schools, churches, and community members, donated and planted 144 trees and succulents for local institutions and community members.

This initiative aimed not only to plant trees but also to raise awareness among children and community members regarding the importance of responsible environmental conservation and caring for nature.

The wild olive is the Tree of the Year for 2026, and many of these trees were donated to schools, churches, and community members in Keimoes in September.

On 15 September, 20 wild olive and white karee trees, along with a number of succulents, were donated to Neilersdrift Intermediate School, while 24 trees were also donated to Keimoes High School on the same day. On 16 September, 20 trees were donated to the Loxtonvale community, west of Keimoes, while 30 trees and a number of succulents were handed over to the Soverby community, northeast of Keimoes, on 18 September.

During visits to the schools, Dirk Malan, a member of AfriForum’s Keimoes branch, gave a presentation on the importance of trees and plants. He explained that, according to the Bible, humanity received the earth to care for and to manage responsibly.

During these presentations, learners were also introduced to various species of trees, shrubs, and succulents. Among other things, it was explained that South Africa is home to approximately 155 aloe species and three species of quiver trees. The children were also shown the wild olive (Olea europaea subsp. africana), which has been designated as the Tree of the Year for 2026.

As part of the practical training, the children were shown how a simple 2-litre plastic bottle could be used to slowly and effectively water a young tree. Consequently, the training focused not only on planting trees but also on the responsibility of caring for them afterwards.

The ArbourMonth initiative continued on 24 September. The AGS Church in Keimoes, led by Pastor Cor Ettwein, received 18 trees, while the NG Church Keimoes/Neilersdrift received nine trees on the same day, and the Women’s Association of the Roman Catholic Church in Keimoes received three trees.

In addition to these donations, 20 trees were also given to interested residents of Keimoes.

“Arbour Month is about so much more than just planting a tree. It is about responsibility, stewardship, and leaving a better environment for the next generation,” says Malan. “When a child learns how to plant and care for a tree, we are effectively planting a seed of responsibility for the future as well.”

AfriForum’s Keimoes branch thanks all the schools, churches, organisations, and community members who participated in the initiative and worked together to make this project a practical and visible reality in the community.