Forty boys from four of KwaZulu-Natal’s top schools participated in a challenge that focused on more than just winning when they gathered at Ferncliffe Forest for the second annual Husqvarna Schools Forest Rehabilitation Challenge.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
The Husqvarna Schools Forest Rehabilitation Challenge, which began in 2024, is an event that combines grit, teamwork and environmental stewardship in the spirit of friendly rivalry. Initially launched as a pilot initiative between Weston Agricultural College and Durban High School, the event has now expanded to include two additional schools. This year, both returning schools were joined by Maritzburg College and Westville Boys’ High School in a competition where endurance and cooperation were just as important as speed.
In partnership with the nonprofit organisation Ferncliffe Forest Wilding, the challenge tasked teams with digging 10 planting holes at three stations within the threatened mist belt forest. However, this was not just an ordinary race: the rules required the boys to stick together, complete each section as a team and tread carefully to protect the fragile indigenous plants along the way.
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Future Custodians
The afternoon began with an environmental briefing from Husqvarna’s veld management specialist, Divan Vermaak, who set the tone by reminding the learners that the forest’s survival rests on future custodians like them. Armed with gloves, spades and maps, the boys set off to navigate the course, their laughter and cheers echoing through the canopy as they put both muscle and heart into their mission.
After hours of spirited competition, it was the learners from Maritzburg College who rose to the top, earning the winner’s trophy and a Husqvarna PW 480 Pressure Washer valued at R11 700 for their school. Weston Agricultural College, the reigning champions, took second place, and Durban High School and Westville Boys’ High School claimed third and fourth positions respectively. Each runner-up team received vouchers to spend at Husqvarna’s online store, and every participant walked away with a certificate of recognition as a reminder of their role in restoring a forest under threat.
For Husqvarna South Africa’s marketing manager, Timothy Isabirye, the challenge is proof that small ideas can grow into movements. “Last year was about testing the concept. This year, we doubled the number of schools involved. Next year, our ambition is to grow again,” he explained. “The point is that every year, the impact becomes greater. More schools, more boys, more trees in the ground, and more young people learning what it means to give back to their environment.”
He added that what stood out most was not just the competitive spirit but also the way each boy gave his all, not for himself but for a cause bigger than any one team.
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Protecting The Environment, Protecting The Future
The Husqvarna Schools Forest Rehabilitation Challenge is more than a competition. Staged during Arbour Week, it is part of Husqvarna’s long-term commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Beyond trophies and prizes, it is about sparking a deeper understanding of how forests protect ecosystems, sustain biodiversity and ultimately secure humanity’s own survival.
“It is not just about winning on the day, it’s about planting the idea of stewardship,” Isabirye concluded. “Our goal is to teach the boys that when you protect the environment, you are protecting your own future.”
In the end, every tree planted became more than just a seedling in the ground. It was a living symbol of a new generation learning to dig deep, for the planet and for tomorrow.
