Cape Town: The Facilities Management Department of the City of Cape Town has successfully wrapped-up this year’s Spring Cleaning Programme and Arbor Month by planting White Milkwood trees at the Durbanville Municipal Building and Royal Ascot Municipal Building.
The event witnessed the plantation of three more trees that were also planted at other municipal sites. MMC for Corporate Services – Alderman Theresa Uys and the Chairperson for Corporate Services portfolio – Councillor Fabian Ah-Sing also attended the ceremony.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate Services – Alderman Theresa Uys said that the Spring Cleaning Programme is observed every year and is a time when the Facilities Management of the City of Cape Town do a number of post-winter initiatives which ensures that residents experience clean, neat and welcoming smiles at the facilities.
In 2025, the City officials proudly aligned with the Spring Cleaning Programme with the celebration of Arbor Month. In honour of this occasion, Uys had the privilege of planting the 2025 Tree of the Year, the White Milkwood at the Durbanville Municipal Building. Popularly it is known as the Mekhoutboom in Afrikaans and Umqwashu in Xhosa, this indigenous tree symbolises resilience and environmental stewardship.
Uys also stated that these five trees represent the commitment to cultivate greener, healthier urban environments. The white Milkwood is known for its resilience and also for its deep-rooted heritage value.
“May I encourage all the residents to consider planting indigenous trees by taking care of them. By doing this, we ‘grow’ a richer heritage for generations to come. Trees provide shelter and food for birds and insects and shade for us to enjoy,” said Alderman Uys.
As a part of the broader Spring Cleaning and Arbor Month initiatives, the Facilities Management team of the City of Cape Town planted five White Milkwood trees that were sourced from the Newlands Nursery, Parks Department.
These trees now stand proudly in Durbanville, Royal Ascot, Lwandle, Gugulethu and at the Goodwood Traffic Management Centre, considering each one as a living contribution towards a greener and more sustainable future.