Employees at General Motors South Africa’s (GMSA) Parts and Distribution Centre (PDC) got their hands dirty recently when they participated in a new landscaping project.
Situated in the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), the landscaping project is aimed at rehabilitating non-vegetated land within GMSA’s site using indigenous and endangered plants from the IDZ nursery programme. General Motors is noted to be the first tenant to make use of this nursery which demonstrate the strong sense of pride in supporting environmental greening opportunities.
With environmental awareness high on GMSA’s agenda, the project provides an opportunity to create awareness as well as working towards the company attaining its Conservation Certification in 2016.
According to Ncedisa Mzuzu, General Motors Environmental Group Manager, Africa, the Conservation Certification managed by an international independent body (Wildlife Habitat Certification) sets the standard for corporate conservation initiatives and produces quantitative benefits to corporations, communities and the environment.
Mzuzu explained that the Conservation Certification is divided into 25 possible conservation themes which are part of four conservation categories namely Habitat, Species Management, Education and Awareness.
“For the purpose of this project we chose Landscaping which falls under the Wildlife Habitat category. The project itself was proposed by the PDC senior leadership who identified an open soil bed at the facility. Through interaction with PDC management and Coega Development Corporation we decided to plant indigenous vegetation,” said Mzuzu.
This project was managed by Mbongeni Mbiko, a young Graduate in Training who joined the Environment team a year back.
More than 200 plants were provided to GMSA by the Coega Development Corporation from the IDZ nursery. Since the plants are indigenous they do not require any special care and can grow easily.
An information session about plants and landscaping was given to participants. This was followed by employees participating in the project by preparing the soil and planting and watering the plants.
The landscaping is designed to include a diversity of native plant species that can benefit a variety of wildlife including butterflies, native bees and songbirds. It can also reduce irrigation and fertilizer needs, and benefit water and air quality.
Mzuzu said the environment is a key strategic imperative for GMSA – striving to minimise and mitigate the impact of operations on the natural environment and the communities within which the company functions.
In September this year the environmental team was recognised for their achievements when they walked off with the SJM Flex award in the environmental category at the Exporter of the Year ceremony.
On World Environment Day on 5 June, the team was actively involved with a project to get rid of all alien species at its Struandale plant.
In accordance with GM’s Sustainability programme globally, the company must identify indigenous and endangered species and conserve them. They have to get rid of alien species that deplete water and other resources.
And in order to make employees more environmentally aware, an exciting photographic competition was held recently. Those participating in the competition had to take photographs of a plant, bird or animal at any of the GM sites.
Mzuzu said GM will know whether they attained the internationally renowned Wildlife Habitat Certification by November 2016.
Alan Straton
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