Reviving Land, Creating Opportunities: SA’s Thicket Project to Generate 100,000 Jobs

Key Takeaways:

• The South African thicket biome has lost over 80% of its ecosystem due to degradation, mainly caused by agriculture and overgrazing.
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recognized South Africa’s thicket restoration as one of its World Restoration Flagships, aiming to revive 800,000 hectares of degraded land by 2030.
• The restoration initiative involves over 60 organizations and has the potential to create 100,000 jobs and train 80,000 people in sustainable land management over the next 10 years.
• The spekboom tree, a key component of the thicket ecosystem, has multiple benefits, including heat regulation, soil protection, carbon storage, and biodiversity revival.
• The restoration effort is not only an environmental project but also an economic lifeline for communities, providing green jobs and promoting sustainable development.

Introduction to the Thicket Biome
The South African thicket biome, once a thriving ecosystem, has been severely degraded over the past century, with over 80% of its land lost to agriculture and overgrazing. The remaining thicket is a fragmented patchwork of bare earth, exposed rock, and sparse vegetation, stretching across the Eastern and Western Cape. However, the UNEP’s recognition of South Africa’s thicket restoration as a World Restoration Flagship has brought attention to the country’s efforts to revive this neglected yet biodiverse landscape.

The Importance of Spekboom
The spekboom tree is a crucial component of the thicket ecosystem, with multiple benefits, including heat regulation, soil protection, carbon storage, and biodiversity revival. It is a hardy, drought-resistant succulent tree that can reshape the land around it, providing a habitat for wildlife and supporting other plant species. However, its value also contributed to its decline, as it is highly palatable and was overgrazed by goats. Restoring the spekboom requires large-scale, labor-intensive efforts, rooted in community engagement and sustainable land use.

Restoration Drives Green Jobs
The restoration of the thicket is not only an environmental project but also an economic lifeline for communities. The initiative has the potential to create 100,000 jobs and train 80,000 people in sustainable land management over the next 10 years. The work is labor-intensive, requiring teams to collect cuttings, plant them by hand, monitor survival, and track carbon sequestration. The jobs created cut across skill levels, from general laborers to scientific teams, and provide opportunities for young scientists from local universities to work in their home province.

Restoring Ecosystems, Reviving Knowledge
A key part of the UNEP’s restoration philosophy is bringing together modern science with indigenous and community knowledge. In the case of South Africa’s thicket, this knowledge is both vital and endangered. The history of spekboom removal is directly tied to colonialism, and many landowners do not realize the extent of the damage caused by overgrazing generations ago. Community education is a central pillar of the restoration effort, raising awareness about the importance of sustainable grazing and the value of the thicket ecosystem.

A Carbon Sink with Social Benefit
The scale of South Africa’s restoration target, 800,000 hectares, is enormous, and so is its climate potential. Restored spekboom thicket could lock away around eight million tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to the annual emissions of 800,000 average South Africans. While restoration is not a substitute for emissions reduction, thicket revival offers a powerful adaptation measure that brings tangible benefits to communities. As carbon markets gain traction, spekboom restoration may eventually generate revenue through high-integrity carbon credits, unlocking a new green economy for communities in the Eastern Cape.

Recognition, Hope, and the Road to 2030
The UNEP’s recognition of South Africa’s thicket restoration as a World Restoration Flagship is more than a badge of honor; it’s a call to action. The initiative has the potential to showcase South Africa’s beautiful landscapes, leverage carbon markets, and bring international support to where it’s most needed. The goal is to accelerate momentum, cultivate a global Generation Restoration, and demonstrate what’s possible when sectors work together to achieve climate and biodiversity goals. With the support of the UNEP and the dedication of restoration leaders on the ground, the thicket biome may once again thrive, providing a sustainable future for both the environment and the communities that depend on it.