The Eastern Cape government has launched a massive R113-million commercial forestry project that will spawn hundreds of job opportunities for rural folk in the underdeveloped OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts.
The drive has attracted active participation and support from KwaZulu-Natal-based forestry giants Sappi Forests, which had identified some 30000ha for new afforestation in the Eastern Cape by 2033.
Gwanya said of the project: “This is a fantastic opportunity for private and public sector investors to take advantage of massive economic potential inherent in the sector.”
Some of the projects were land resettlement projects which made it easy for the partners to work with because they were legitimate owners.
“They have strategic partners like Sappi and PG Bison who are assisting the community in skills development on forestry and serve as a market for timber,” said Gwanya.
Dlulane said they were excited to form part of an initiative with a strong agro-processing element which sought to propel the Eastern Cape’s manufacturing value proposition.
“The forestry development partnership has a strong beneficiation and processing element which complements ECDRA’s primary production activities. ECDC is equally pleased that this partnership is in a sector that holds significant economic potential and job creation prospects,” said Dlulane.
The Sinawo and Mkhambathi community-owned forestry projects have already generated millions of rands in revenue out of the old trees that are being clear-felled. The five projects have already created 819 jobs.
King Zanozuko Sigcau welcomed the initiative, saying there was much land to develop in the area and the project would change the lives of those living there for the better.
Sappi stakeholder relations manager Blessing Karumbidza said part of the agreement they had with the communities was that the communities commit 70% of their timber to Sappi.
“The remaining 30% would be providing flexibility for the community forestry projects to establish a community-owned mill in the Mpondoland area such as a pole treating plant.
“This encourages the growth of small businesses such as those that can trade in the transportation of timber to the mill, transporting seedlings and planting of trees.
“These business will be owned by people from these communities,” said Karumbidza.
Sappi had already identified 30 000ha for new afforestation and was in talks with the communities, he added.
“We have planted 3000ha in areas that we are working in the Eastern Cape and have created more than 400 jobs. If you can achieve 600 jobs with 3000ha, it means that with 30 000ha by 2033 some 6000 jobs and families will be transformed through this investment, together with the expansion of the value chain,” he said. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
R113m boost for forestry project
The drive has attracted active participation and support from KwaZulu-Natal-based forestry giants Sappi Forests, which had identified some 30000ha for new afforestation in the Eastern Cape by 2033.
Gwanya said of the project: “This is a fantastic opportunity for private and public sector investors to take advantage of massive economic potential inherent in the sector.”
Some of the projects were land resettlement projects which made it easy for the partners to work with because they were legitimate owners.
“They have strategic partners like Sappi and PG Bison who are assisting the community in skills development on forestry and serve as a market for timber,” said Gwanya.
Dlulane said they were excited to form part of an initiative with a strong agro-processing element which sought to propel the Eastern Cape’s manufacturing value proposition.
“The forestry development partnership has a strong beneficiation and processing element which complements ECDRA’s primary production activities. ECDC is equally pleased that this partnership is in a sector that holds significant economic potential and job creation prospects,” said Dlulane.
The Sinawo and Mkhambathi community-owned forestry projects have already generated millions of rands in revenue out of the old trees that are being clear-felled. The five projects have already created 819 jobs.
King Zanozuko Sigcau welcomed the initiative, saying there was much land to develop in the area and the project would change the lives of those living there for the better.
Sappi stakeholder relations manager Blessing Karumbidza said part of the agreement they had with the communities was that the communities commit 70% of their timber to Sappi.
“The remaining 30% would be providing flexibility for the community forestry projects to establish a community-owned mill in the Mpondoland area such as a pole treating plant.
“This encourages the growth of small businesses such as those that can trade in the transportation of timber to the mill, transporting seedlings and planting of trees.
“These business will be owned by people from these communities,” said Karumbidza.
Sappi had already identified 30 000ha for new afforestation and was in talks with the communities, he added.
“We have planted 3000ha in areas that we are working in the Eastern Cape and have created more than 400 jobs. If you can achieve 600 jobs with 3000ha, it means that with 30 000ha by 2033 some 6000 jobs and families will be transformed through this investment, together with the expansion of the value chain,” he said. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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