A tiny forest nurtured by schools is flourishing in Bo-Kaap as Cape Town’s first urban forest.
Bo-Kaap, South Africa (06 February 2025) — While Bo-Kaap is well known for it’s history, food and rainbow homes, it’s also becoming known for something green thumbs will approve of! The slopes of Bo-Kaap have become home to a tiny forest pocket that’s connecting the community to nature in all kinds of wholesome ways, and inspiring other communities to take a leaf from Bo-Kaap’s book.
Social enterprise Mzanzi Organics is proud to share that the Schotcheskloof Forest is positively thriving thanks to nearly two years of growth. Supported by the SUGi Project, the tiny forest was planted and nurtured by schools, with different classes taking the opportunity to water their forest weekly.
Not only does the pocket offer green lungs for the suburb, the Schotcheskloof Forest is also an opportunity for learners in the early phases of education to establish relationships with the wonderful, natural world.
The forest boasts trees over 25 square metres that have impacted 526 young people and supported 17 indigenous species where a degraded plot once was.
As SUGi Forest Maker Aghmad Gamieldien shares, this is the first urban forest in the City of Cape Town.
“Congratulations to this group for their vision, their hard work and commitment in creating a vibrant forest on a small piece of land,” commended Parkscape.
Meanwhile in other green news, a collaborative partnership between local organisations has seen the Sweetwaters community gain invaluable agricultural skills that have transformed six hectares of land into flourishing vegetable gardens! Read more, here.
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