The Executive Mayor of Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality (CALM), Cllr MP Magubane, held a strategic stakeholder meeting with the South African Forestry Company SOC Limited (SAFCOL) on June 10 in Emanzana.
This was to brief the Mayor on SAFCOL’s ongoing community development initiatives and its operational footprint within CALM.
SAFCOL gave feedback on its community upliftment projects which had already been implemented in partnership with the municipality.
These include:
• Establishment of the Sukumani Youth Advisory Centre in Ward 1 Deipdale (IS IT NOT DIEPDALE?)
• Construction of footbridges in Fernie, Oshoek, Ntababovu, Lochiel, Mayflower, Dundonald, and Robbindale (CHECK IF ITS NOT ROBINDALE WITH ONE B)
• Development of a multipurpose shelter at Mantjolo
In addition to supplying infrastructure, SAFCOL has played a major role in enterprise and skills development. Fifteen local suppliers have successfully completed the Pest Control Operator (PCO) training.
This was designed to prepare them for opportunities in the forestry sector, equipping them with skills to meet SAFCOL’s operational standards.
SAFCOL has also supported two local cooperatives:
• Thembalabasha T/A Melisizwe Mthiya Furniture Trading (PTY) LTD
• Siyaphambili Charcoal corporative
Moreover, twenty young people from the Blairmore Cluster have been enrolled in a furniture-making learnership programme, aimed at addressing the local skills gap and reducing youth unemployment.
However, SAFCOL outlined several pressing challenges during the engagement. Approximately 57% of its plantations are affected by land claims, particularly in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
Other ongoing concerns include illegal land invasions, unauthorized grazing, mining and timber theft at plantation sites.
This meeting underscored the CALM’s dedication to transparent governance, sustainable development and active collaboration with partners committed to uplifting local communit
