Seven million down, 993 million to go: Inside South Africa’s One Billion Trees drive

South Africa’s One Billion Trees programme has passed a major milestone.

More than seven million trees have been planted across the country in just six months.

And one province is leading the way by a long shot.

But the journey to one billion is only just beginning.

According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), 7,134,711 trees have been planted since the start of the 2026/27 financial year on 1 April 2026.

WHERE THE TREES WERE PLANTED

The Western Cape leads the way, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng:

• Free State: 326,294
• 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, despite being South Africa’s driest province
• North West: 400,619

WHAT IS THE ONE BILLION TREES PROGRAMME?

The Presidential One Billion Trees Programme aims to plant one billion trees over the next five years.

It’s part of the government’s existing National Greening Programme, and it works with communities, traditional leaders and the private sector.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has framed it as a challenge to the legacy of apartheid-era urban planning, saying trees and green spaces provide recreation and shade.

A big boost came from the nationwide Heritage Day tree-planting campaign on 24 September 2026.

Ramaphosa launched it by planting a tree at Bongolethu Stadium in Oudtshoorn, in the Western Cape.

FRUIT TREES, FOOD AND JOBS

It’s not only about greening.

In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the programme includes fruit trees such as citrus, avocados and grapes.

He said any surplus could help generate income for communities.

The DFFE has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Human Settlements, so that a fruit tree is planted with every new subsidised house.

The environmental sector also provides work through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), giving unemployed South Africans skills in conservation, water, waste and fire management.

WHY INDIGENOUS TREES MATTER

The programme deliberately focuses on planting indigenous trees.

That’s because many popular trees are invasive species. Ramaphosa pointed out that this includes Pretoria’s famous jacarandas.

NOT EVERYONE IS CONVINCED

The campaign has had its critics.

Ramaphosa faced a backlash on social media after highlighting the milestone.

Some South Africans questioned whether tree planting should be a priority, given the country’s socioeconomic challenges.

HOW FAR THERE IS TO GO

Seven million trees is a big number. But it’s less than 1% of the one billion target.

To reach one billion in five years, South Africa would need to plant an average of 200 million trees a year.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts thanked South Africans for taking part, and encouraged those who haven’t to join in.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Anyone can plant a tree and add it to the national count.

The DFFE encourages South Africans to register their trees online by uploading a photo and the tree’s GPS coordinates.

This helps the department track how many trees survive and grow.

I love that the Western Cape is leading the way on this one.

Seven million trees won’t change the country overnight.

But every indigenous tree planted in the right place is a small win for nature, and for the people who live around it.

My advice? Plant one, register it, and watch it grow.

HAVE YOU PLANTED A TREE AS PART OF THE ONE BILLION TREES PROGRAMME?