LANGALIBALELE FOREST
📍 Langa Township, Cape Town, SA 🌱 Planting: March 2024
Fostering a vibrant green space for community well-being and learning.
1,200
300
Trees
Square Meters
21
1,083
Native Species
Youth Impacted
In Partnership with
The Langalibalele Forest will soon come to life in the heart of Langa Township, on the shared sports field of Siyabulela Primary and Langa High School. This project aims to create a lush green space that will not only serve these two schools but also benefit the entire community.
Right now, this area is used for sports and recreation, though it’s also been plagued by illegal dumping. But with this initiative, we’re turning it into something far greater—a true community asset.
We’ve named this project The Langalibalele Forest to honor a remarkable chief and rainmaker, who in 1873 was imprisoned on Robben Island for resisting the Natal government and English imperialism.
The Forest will offer so much—improving mental health and well-being, providing much-needed shade, and supporting wildlife habitat restoration.
It will also create outdoor classroom spaces where teachers can bring students to learn subjects like natural science and biology, especially during the summer months.
Art in the Forest is an experimental journey of creativity and inspiration, where the planted urban forests becomes a stage for connection and community. We are honored to present the soulful sounds of Sibusile Xaba from KwaZulu-Natal, performing live in the Langalibalele Forest—a newly planted forest of 1,200 indigenous trees and shrubs. This forest, planted in March 2024 at Siyabulela Primary School in Langa, is a symbol of growth, resilience, and unity.
Song Translation
"Oh, my dear child,
May you grow beyond,
Never forget you are birthed by great kings and queens.
Take my words and grow,
Remember you’re of divine royalty.
Continue to grow, my child.
Khula khula khula (grow).
Be as vast as the oceans & seas.
Be as tall as the mountains."
Let this music and forest remind us all to grow beyond, rooted in gentleness and greatness.
