Colophospermum mopane (Mopane tree) is an ecologically important tree throughout South Africa. It plays a very important role in sustaining both the natural environment, local wildlife and human communities. The tree has extensive roots, which help prevent soil erosion, and it also provides food, shelter, and firewood to the livelihoods. The tree is known to be a food source for the mopane worms, which are caterpillars rich in protein. The caterpillars are a highly valuable food source for both humans and animals.
Right to left: Mashudu Nndanduleni and Tshereletso Moloto from Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden and Chief Munzhelele standing in front of huge stump of Mopane tree that was cut down illegally.
The mopane tree is highly valued for its firewood, and demand for it has increased significantly, extending beyond Limpopo Province to other provinces in South Africa. The firewood is valued for producing a lot of heat, lasting longer as it burns slowly, which produces lasting coals, and it is durable since it is resistant to termite damage, making it ideal for cooking in households. Due to its numerous values, it faces the challenge of being overharvested in areas where it is most dominant. The overharvesting of firewood affects the environment/ climate change negatively, posing a decline in food and shelter for livelihoods. As a result, communities become more vulnerable to strong winds and heavy rainfall due to the lack of natural protection. It is disheartening to see mopane firewood piled on street corners, in yards, and at braai areas, reflecting the scale of exploitation.
Mopane seedlings of about three months old placed and ready for planting.
These concerns raise serious questions about the future conservation of the species. Natural resources have long provided food, shelter, health benefits, and environmental stability since the creation of the Earth. However, challenges such as unemployment and population growth should not drive practices that destroy resources essential for sustaining present and future generations. Alternative and sustainable approaches must be considered to balance biodiversity conservation with human resource use.
The community and SANBI staff planting the seedlings.
Where did people lose the understanding of collecting firewood only from dead trees? Where did people lose the wisdom to preserve what has sustained them and their ancestors for future generations? Where did people lose the principle of taking only what they need and leaving enough for others? Where did people lose the commitment to comply with legislation and environmental laws? And finally, where did people lose their conscience?
The size of mopane seedling used on rehabilitation.
With all the challenges associated with the Mopane tree, the Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden, under the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), has initiated a rehabilitation programme for Colophospermum mopane, commonly known as the Mopane tree, in partnership with Chief Munzhelele of Tshenzhelani Village and the local community members in Tshenzhelani village. The other stakeholders include Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), who are responsible for the guidelines and legislation that need to be followed to make this initiative a success.
The Mopane seedling after been planted.
The reason we chose Tshenzhelani village to rehabilitate the Mopane tree was that we had heard how the Chief tried to stop, or rather warn, the community from over-harvesting the tree. With all the intervention came a lot of threats to the Chief because people did not understand why they should be stopped from harvesting the tree, which produces good firewood for their households. The Chief then began working with the protection services and the soldiers (SANDF) in his area, trying to limit them from overharvesting the trees.
The team about to finish planting the Mopane seedlings.
Though the Chief Munzhelele has managed the treat of overharvesting of the Mopane firewood, the damaged in one area had taken place where huge trees were cut down by chainsaw. The area where the trees were cut down, despite interventions to stop the illegal harvesting, remains visibly scarred, and the sight of the damaged trees is deeply distressing. We are very grateful to see that there are people such as Chief Munzhelele who are preserving our flora for the future generation. We call everyone to go ‘Green. For there is no planet B, this mean that everyone should play a role to ensure that we have a sustainable environment.
The Chief Munzhelele leading the planting of the seedlings.
The planting commenced on the 3rd of December 2025, when we planted 300 Mopane trees alongside local members of Tshenzhelani village and their Chief. This initiative marks the beginning of the mandate to restore and promote indigenous plants in the area. The Tshenzhelani community, young and old, men participated enthusiastically, with all hands on deck. There were visible excitement and pride in witnessing the rehabilitation of the mopane tree. One elderly man remarked, “This is the beginning of more mopane worms.” For generations, mopane worms have been an important source of food for the community, sustaining livelihoods and contributing to food security for many decades.
The excitement of the community that were involved in rehabilitation.
We believe and hope that this programme will open people’s eyes to the negative impact of illegal tree poaching on the environment and livelihoods. People are also encouraged to plant this tree in their yard to contribute to the restoration effort. This will help since they will be cutting from their own trees in the yard instead of disturbing the natural habitat in the forest.
It is a sad story to witness deforestation in our time. All that is left is history — we once had a huge mopane tree in this place.
One could argue that it is time for local communities to begin growing and planting species from which they derive direct benefits. For example, instead of planting palm trees, communities could plant indigenous or useful tree species that can provide firewood when needed in the future. Similarly, rather than planting ornamental species such as Duranta ‘Sheena’s Gold’, communities could cultivate vegetables or medicinal plants that not only produce attractive leaves or flowers but also provide food or medicine when required. These are important questions that we should begin to ask ourselves.
All you see on every street and corner are chopped pieces of firewood from living trees. Trucks and bakkies drive up and down, and the loud noise of chainsaws rises, threatening our biodiversity and wildlife.
To reinforce the importance of environmental protection and sustainability, we found it meaningful to include the following 15 inspirational quotes shared by EcoMENA, which echo strong messages of conservation, responsibility, and collective action:
⦁ “We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment.” – Margaret Mead
⦁ “The environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect.” – Mohith Agadi
⦁ “We don’t have to sacrifice a strong economy for a healthy environment.” – Dennis Weaver
⦁ “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
⦁ “What is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?” – Henry David Thoreau
⦁ “Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth… these are one and the same fight.” – Ban Ki-moon
⦁ “If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate… If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.” – E. O. Wilson
⦁ “What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.” – Chris Maser
⦁ “Our planet’s alarm is going off, and it is time to wake up and take action!” – Leonardo DiCaprio
⦁ “To waste and destroy our natural resources… will result in undermining the prosperity of our children.” – Theodore Roosevelt
⦁ “Sooner or later, we will have to recognise that the Earth has rights, too.” – Evo Morales
⦁ “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
⦁ “It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.” – Ansel Adams
⦁ “It’s all of our responsibility to leave this planet in better shape for future generations than we found it.” – Mike Huckabee
⦁ “The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved.” – Richard Rogers