Planting More Than Just Trees on Mandela Day 2025

Lady Planting Trees

Men Planting trees

Overview of Planting trees

OneGarden Foundation:

18 July 2025 – Mandela Day – Wes Eind Primary School, Franschhoek

Today, under a gloriously clear sky that followed yesterday’s downpour, something beautiful unfolded at Wes Eind Primary School in Franschhoek. It began with a simple goal: to plant 67 trees in 67 minutes—a symbolic tribute to the 67 years Nelson Mandela dedicated to public service, justice, and human rights.

What we didn’t anticipate was the overwhelming wave of support.

People came. And then more came. From all corners of the valley. 

Buckets of yesterday’s rain may have soaked the soil, but today, the sun smiled on us as we dug deep, laughed loudly, and planted with purpose.

We didn’t just meet our target—we exceeded it. Dozens upon dozens of trees took root, and so did something else: a growing sense of community, purpose, and possibility.

Why It Mattered

Mandela Day is more than just planting trees—it’s about restoring dignity, uplifting communities, and taking action. Today, we didn’t just honour Madiba's legacy—we began writing a new one.

Each tree planted is a living promise. A promise that education and opportunity will grow here. That nature and knowledge can coexist. That children will learn, thrive, and flourish in a space that nourishes not just their minds, but their hearts and hands.

This aligns perfectly with the mission of the OneGarden Foundation—to transform underused school land into thriving, sustainable green hubs where children learn, grow food, build skills, and find purpose.

And all around us: the gentle rustle of new leaves, the scent of wet soil, the unmistakable feeling that something real was starting.

This Is Just the Beginning

The 67+ trees planted today are just the first roots of something far bigger. Our vision is to grow an educational agricultural hub right here at Wes Eind Primary( our Pilot School)—where learners can explore nature, develop entrepreneurial skills, and discover the joy of working with the earth. Hoping for this to grow over to the rest of the schools.

We are planting more than food. We’re planting: Hope, Purpose, Community and a future where every child thrives.

Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Today, we did something incredible. And tomorrow—we’ll keep growing it.

Grow hope.Grow children.Grow community.Grow OneGarden.