We are officially living in the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration – A global call to action launched by the United Nations Environment Programme last year in collaboration with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation and set to run to 2030 to “prevent, halt and reverse degradation”. A timeframe which, according to the UN, is the duration scientists have identified “as humanity’s last chance to prevent catastrophic climate change” and essentially gives society just shy of a decade to revive and restore what is left of the Earth’s ecosystems from oceans and mountains, to grasslands and forests.

Environmental restoration non-profit organisation specialising in urban greening and forest restoration projects throughout South Africa and parts of Southern Africa, Greenpop, believe that a foundational step to realising the UN Decade vision is reconnecting people with nature. And what better way to get people into nature, to celebrate it, and become an active participant in the environmental movement than a festival?

Cue Greenpop’s 10th annual Reforest Fest taking place from 1 to 3 April 2022 at Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat just shy of three hours’ drive from Cape Town’s city centre in a SE direction. The custodians of nature have been providing an accessible outlet for people who want to get active for the planet in a meaningful way and indirectly bringing into question the wasteful frenzy characteristic of large-scale traditional music festival models since 2011 and this year – with an estimated 750 festival goers including musicians, performers, vendors, partners and guests expected to join – the guardians of green mean sustainable and sonic business.

Greenpop aims to plant around 7000 endemic trees on Saturday 2 April as part of a broader ecosystem restoration management plan in development by the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy in the Platbos/Uilenkraal Valley forest mosaic which has been fragmented historically by deforestation.

All trees are locally harvested seedlings and cuttings 100% endemic to the area grown by Francois Krige of Platbos forest. Francois has been growing trees in partnership with Greenpop since 2011. No tree is moved more than a kilometre or two in order to get it to its final living space.

“To date over 80 0000 trees have been grown by him and planted locally in the Platbos forest and greater Uilenkraal valley,” Greenpop’s head of programmes, Zoë Gauld-Angelucci says. The funds for the growing, planting, caring and monitoring come from single tree donations of R120. “We have various donors from around South Africa and the world who pledge trees on a monthly basis, and support our work,” adds Zoë.

Apart from tree planting, festival goers will enjoy a startlingly stellar lineup of sounds that will be the soundtrack to the action-packed, family-friendly weekend as well as educational activities, guided forest walks, yoga, guest talks on sustainability topics, and interactive workshops including Twyg’s own handmade mending activation station led by Twyg’s Swap Shop mending maiden, Michelle Jones-Phillipson.

The clothing repair activation station encourages and cultivates a “stitch-don’t-ditch” mentality towards clothing in need of repair. Regardless of whether you have prior experience with sewing, knitting, or crocheting, all levels are welcome to join. Menders are encouraged to bring an item of clothing or two that is in need of some TLC along with their existing knitting, crochet and hand stitching projects from home and join in the fun.

Passionate about society’s indelible connection to the wild, natural world, former lead singer of critically acclaimed pan-African supergroup Freshlyground, and #PLASTICFREEMZANSI personality Zolani Mahola will be headlining the sonic segment of the festival as The One Who Sings, having released her debut solo album “Thetha Mama” just four months ago which is bound to be the stuff for goosebumps.

While holding a few surprises close to their chest, the lineup that has been divulged so far is an unexpectedly stellar melange of artists. Donovan Copley as Hot Water along with the winner of Zimbabwe’s Got Talent, Divine Mahara, will both be lighting up the stage with folksy flair. A few others to look out for include indie scene showstoppers Year of Dogs and some Afro-soul reggae rhythms from Cape Town-based artist Thabani Dube. African Rhythm Princess SINO and Greenpop’s very own, Crash Love are poised to electrify your bones with divine DJ energy.

Festival goers are encouraged to share lifts to the venue and to bring their own spades, cutlery and crockery, a musical instrument, a few treats to share, a picnic blanket and any other camping niceties that will ensure they feel comfortable including tents and sleeping mats.

“Greenpop aims to grow the Reforest Fest into a flagship event that attracts a global audience as Africa’s largest citizen-led restoration festival,” says Zoë, adding “By immersing oneself in a festival-like environment, having the visceral experience of planting a tree (or many trees), and then getting all the amazing knowledge and experiences of the various workshops on offer, we believe there is a real opportunity to shift perspective on things. To get people into a healthy and adaptable headspace – ready to take on the world.”

• Images supplied by Greenpop.
• For more information and to book tickets, click here.