In May this year, South Africa's (SA) Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, officially launched the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme at the SA National Biodiversity Institute's Pretoria National Botanical Garden, calling on all citizens in the country to join a nationwide effort to plant trees and build a greener, healthier country.

The Presidential One Billion Trees Programme seeks to mobilise all sectors of society - government, business, labour, civil society, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, diplomatic missions, youth formations and communities - to plant trees as part of a collective response to climate change.

Lulu Gaboo spoke to Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts.