The Sompondo community know Mama Evelyn as a mother of trees. At over 70 years old, she makes sure that trees for the future generation of people and animals get to grow:
Sompondo, South Africa (05 March 2025) — At over 70 years old, Nozibele Mphothulo (AKA Mama Evelyn) is still making a positive impact in her community.
In Sompondo, Mama Evelyn is appreciated as a mother of trees. She supplies seeds from a towering Red Currant (the actual mother tree of saplings) and ensures that future trees grow for new generations of people and animals.
Among those she positively impacts is the Cape Parrot Project, which is celebrating 15 years of impact. Their mission is to protect the only true South African parrot in a South Africa rife with urbanisation and deforestation.
Because this parrot is so dependent on environmental factors for survival, the team have worked hard for years to help sustain the Cape Parrots’ home forests by planting new trees and nourishing the bird’s green home.
Mama Evelyn then plays an important role in this mission.
The Cape Parrot Project shared that Mama Evelyn is the primary grower of Red Currant Saplings.
“She has spent years collecting seeds from the community and forest edge, germinating them, and raising strong seedlings for reforestation.”
The team explain that her trees are purchased by the project once they’re at planting height. The trees then go on to strengthen forests and ecosystems!
“At over 70 years old, she remains a driving force in habitat restoration, ensuring that future forests have the diversity and resilience they need to support species like the critically endangered Cape Parrot,” they said.
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