Through indigenous tree planting, education, nutrition and African inspiration, we are here to lead the next generation into a greater, greener nation.
They say that the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. And the second-best time to plant a tree is today. This is why we do what we do. With over twenty years of tree planting experience among its founding members, PlantNation is on a mission to plant as many trees as possible in and around South Africa and the African continent.
Whether through community tree planting days at schools in the inner city of Johannesburg, or reforestation projects along our coastline that’s where you will find the PlantNation team, adding to the thousands of indigenous trees and plants we’ve already planted in locations across the country.
Founders David Jaffe and Saul Abelson are the driving force behind this tree planting machine, and their passion for plants is proven with every project. After a thorough analysis of the tree planting sites, and hours spent behind the computer making sure every detail is attended to, the team gets out in the field, elbow-deep in the mud, to plant trees and educate anyone who will listen on the importance of reforestation.
Our emphasis is to work on existing forests, in disturbed environments, on municipal and communal land, working in schools, farms, fields, parks, and recreational areas. We undertake to perform an in-depth analysis of individual land and community requirements with every project; thereby ensuring that each project obtains maximum value – our aim being to determine the most beneficial methodology that will get the community and land growing functionally.
The big picture is to assist in the development of underutilised land and resources while educating the community on continued self-sustainability, so that we leave behind a culture of new age farmers, well-fed children and self-sustaining communities. With the integration of full volunteer programs we are sure to get all walks of life connecting with us and the land, spreading a message of unity, green love and the rise of Africa.
As a company we surround ourselves with bright, eager people from all walks of life to help us on our mission to save the world. Along with community members and local volunteers we source various experts and artists to assist in achieving this lofty goal.
At PlantNation we have realised that we can use trees as a solution to so many of life’s problems. The trees we plant are used for food and shelter, for building materials, as a sustainable source of fuel, to clean water, to help balance out damaged ecosystem, as a tool for education, and as a symbol of hope for this great country of ours.
PlantNation Africa are warriors of nature, an organisation of change and a community that cares for our environment!!
Re-greening Goals and Fundraising Programs
Our Philosophy
At PlantNation, our philosophy is that any tree is better than no tree, an indigenous tree is better than any tree and an endemic tree is ideal.
Indigenous means originating or occurring naturally in a particular place. Anything can be indigenous. There are indigenous peoples, animals and plants. Endemic has a similar meaning although it is more specific.Indigenous might refer to an entire continent or country whereas endemic would refer to a very specific geographical area such as a mountain range or valley.
It could be argued that plants are the most important part of an ecosystem. This is because plants provide food for herbivorous creatures. These creatures are then consumed by the carnivores and, eventually returned to the soil where they feed the plants and so the cycle continues.
When you plant an indigenous or endemic tree you are adding a piece to the puzzle. Every tree is an ecosystem in its own right providing a home and food for birds, insects, mammals and reptiles but it is a micro-biome.
When many trees are planted together to create a small copse of trees it allows for a greater abundance of species as well as for more members of a single species to take up residents which increases the genetic variability of that population and strengthens the species as a whole. When enough small copses are combined we see the creation of jungles and forests. This creates opportunities for the megafauna to take up residents. This includes antelope, big cats, elephants and rhino.
The reason it is important to plant indigenous and endemic trees and plants is because the land and its animals evolved together. They formed mutualistic partnerships that tie various species together in a super-web where every animal and plant depends on all the others to thrive. When you plant an indigenous tree you are extending that web and inviting the natural world back into your own home.
Our People
David Jaffe: Founder/Director
Brief Bio: For as long as I can remember there has always been a deep connection with Mother Nature. Spending most of my free time on adventures lost in the mountains and deep in the oceans. My happy place is in an open space. With a background in business management and passion for nature I was destined to combine the two together by creating a business and nonprofit organization that focuses on both. With our Earths present situation and the challenges of global warming, climate change, wild fires, viral pandemics and deforestation I had no choice but to dedicate as much time, energy and resources to planting trees, educating the youth of our nations and making the world a more beautiful place one tree at a time!
Saul Abelson: Founder/Consultant
Brief Bio: I was introduced to growing plants by my granny Hilda when I was sixteen. She had a succulent garden way before it was popular. One day while walking in the garden I commented on the geometric patterns and shapes of some of her plants, she picked a few of the succulents and asked me if I wanted to grow them for myself. She told me how to dry them out and then put them on a damp piece of cardboard. I followed her advice and soon had rooting planting’s. From that moment on I was hooked on plants. I grew many succulents and then landed up working at a nursery after school. A few years later I was hired as a manager for a well-known landscaping firm and four or five years after that I started my own company. In 2016 I joined up with David and we have been working together since then growing a successful business as well as an NPO as we beautify South Africa one garden at a time.
Andries Sibanda (Ndie)
Tree Planter
Bornfast Mendulo (Bornwell)
Tree Planter
Fanisani Dube (Funwell)
Tree Planter
Fatsani Mendulo (Shelton)
Tree Planter
Mpumulelo Ndlovu (Prosper)
Tree Planter
Siyabonga Phakathia (Junior)
Tree Planter
