FOTE: Re-Greening Zimbabwe, One Tree at a Time
Friends of the Environment (FOTE), is a not-for-profit organization of environmentally like-minded individuals and corporate entities championing the re-greening of Zimbabwe through tree planting. The FOTE initiative was pioneered by Nyaradzo Group in July 2010 when they started planting a tree with every burial they undertook. This idea culminated in the registration of FOTE as a Trust in November 2010. FOTE is governed by a Board of Trustees and works with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate together with its affiliate organisations, Forestry Commission and Environment Management Agency (EMA).
Our History
FOTE is the brainchild of Mr Philip Mataranyika, who as CEO of the Nyaradzo Group pioneered the planting of a tree with each burial they carried out since July 2010. This idea was warmly received by the public such that he decided to cascade it further by inviting other corporates to come together and form this entity as a non- profit making organization. FOTE was registered as a Trust in November 2010 and has already commenced tree planting initiatives to date.
Background
Widespread deforestation has become one of the most pressing ecological tragedies of our time—and Zimbabwe is no exception. Alarmingly, the destruction of forests continues at an accelerated rate, driven by global demand for timber and paper, land clearance for agriculture, uncontrolled veld fires, and rising energy needs.
Globally, deforestation is the second-largest contributor to carbon emissions, trailing only the burning of fossil fuels. When forests disappear, they take with them vital ecosystems—wildlife habitats, diverse plant species, aquatic life, and entire river systems. Forests are not just collections of trees; they are critical for biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and climate stability.
Sadly, the rate of forest loss is far outpacing nature's ability to regenerate—even with existing reforestation efforts. In Zimbabwe alone, an estimated 330,000 hectares of forest are destroyed every year. At this pace, our forest cover could be entirely lost within the next 52 years—an area equivalent in size to Zaka District in Masvingo Province—according to the Forestry Commission. This is not just alarming; it is devastating. Much of our rural landscape is already barren, and desertification is creeping in. We cannot hope to resolve the climate crisis without urgently prioritizing reforestation and halting deforestation altogether.
This crisis is not confined to Zimbabwe—it threatens the entire SADC region. That is why we envision exporting our green revolution across borders through our nursery model. We are confident that this approach can deliver measurable, scalable impact throughout Southern Africa.
Following the success of our inaugural Walkathon in November 2010—from Gweru to Harare—we saw an overwhelming demand for trees as awareness surged. Unfortunately, supply couldn't keep up. This pivotal moment led us to a bold and deliberate decision: to establish at least 100 tree nurseries in schools across the country. By doing so, we aim to nurture a generation that understands, values, and actively contributes to the restoration of Zimbabwe's natural heritage.