The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) established the National Arbor City Awards (NACA) in 2002 in terms of Chapter 4, section 32 of the National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998) and in terms of the National Greening Strategy (2006). The NACA are a quest to promote environmental greening and development thereby securing sustainable and healthy living environment for settlement areas in South Africa.

The National Arbor City Awards (NACA) were formed as a partnership initiative between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, TotalEnergies, the Institute for Environment and Recreation Management (IERM), the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the South African Local Government Association, with a purpose to encourage Municipalities to green their areas of jurisdiction.

1st prize winner – Ndwedwe Local Municipality (iLembe District – KwaZulu Natal)

1st prize winner – Inxuba Yethemba Municipality (Chris Hani District-Eastern Cape)

3rd prize winner – Kouga Local Municipality (Sarah Baartman District – Eastern Cape)

2nd prize winner – Stellenbosch Local Municipality

1st prize winner – Polokwane Local Municipality (Capricorn District – Limpopo province)

These are individuals that are being honoured by DFFE for demonstrating outstanding championship in respect of their municipalities during the adjudication process of the 2023 National Arbor City Awards.

MR WALTER MATUMBA - Polokwane Local Municipality 

MS NOMVELO SIWELA - Kouga Local Municipality

MR MONWABISI SIQWAYI - Inxuba Yethemba Municipality

MS NOBUHLE SISHI - Ndwedwe Local Municipality 

These are organisations that have remarkably contributed to the function of urban forestry and greening in their respective communities. The also given recognition for contributing to the Ten Million Trees Programme. 

Dorp Van Drome: Village of Dreams NGO - Eastern Cape

TreeKeepers NGO - Western Cape

Winner: Segopotje Secondary School - (Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality)

2nd Runner Up: Monyong Secondary School – (Polokwane Local Municipality)