Late last year, in response to the furore around freedom of expression, national security and the media tribunal mooted by South Africa's ruling party, poet Phillippa Yaa de Villiers and Les Perkes of AAW! prepared a statement that was installed on the orange trees between Eastgate and Ellis Park in downtown Joburg (wrapping the trees was part of the land-art project AAW! did with artist Strijdom van der Merwe for the World Cup 2010).

The South African National Editors Forum assisted AAW! to find a printer who would print the statement - one word per tree - and Media24 came to that party, for which we are forever grateful. Of course, the posters (on thin newsprint) were installed on the windiest day in South African living memory ... okay it's an exaggeration but it was a bit windy ... and so the Tree Tribunal lasted in its entirety for about 3 hours, instead of the hoped-for 3 days. Such is life. But the way things work, here it the statement, online forever maybe:

You can say what you like
But don’t ask difficult questions
Like where’s my money?

Why do they want to keep secrets?
They must have something to hide

How do you hide luxury?
Sit on it maybe
Throw a blanket
a security blanket
A lie

Listen to clever people
Spread the beautiful word
Read the trees smell the roses