In South Africa, Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1983. The event was geared towards raising awareness of the value of trees in our society.  The annual celebrations sparked an interest from organisations and the community at large.  In 1999 the government extended it to National Arbor Week, which is celebrated annually from 1 to 7 September. This week serves to promote awareness for the need to plant and maintain indigenous trees throughout South Africa, especially for the many disadvantaged communities who often live in barren areas. Every Arbor Week celebration highlights two specific trees, one common and one rare species. Schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in community "greening" events to improve the health and beauty of the local environment and propose a green future for South Africa.

TOTAL South Africa, an active supporter of several environmental campaigns, has thrown its weight behind the National Greening Strategy, a new comprehensive national environmental initiative through which the government seeks to encourage the planting of one million trees around the country every year.  One of the aims of the National Greening Strategy is to uplift previously neglected areas while at the same time maintaining and protecting trees and other greening elements in areas where they already exist.

TOTAL South Africa has already pledged its full support for the Forest Sector Transformation Charter, a brainchild of the department of Water Affairs and Forestry aimed at helping to transform, develop and grow the sector. As a result of its long-standing involvement in National Arbor Week, the company believes it can assist the department in achieving the objectives of the charter.  One way of fostering economic growth of the Forest Sector will be by ensuring that black men and women play a meaningful part in the sector, thereby creating a better life for themselves and their children.