SiyaQhubeka Forests
With
its vision of ‘Forestry for Life’ , SiyaQhubeka Forests supports
sustainable plantation forestry, community upliftment and economic development.
The 26,451 ha of prime plantations – including Port Durnford, Nyalazi
and Dukuduku – stretch along the northern KZN coastline with a major
portion bordering the Park Park. A world first for commercial forestry and
a World Heritage Site has been a 158 km 'eco-track’ between the Park
and the plantation areas of Nyalazi and Dukuduku. This delineates 4 000
ha of previously afforested, significant conservation area from highly productive
commercial forestry on Lake St Lucia’s Western Shores.
By rehabilitating previously afforested land, in partnership with the Authority
and SAFCOL (previous owners of the forestry assets), to wetlands and grasslands,
there will be reduced impact on soils and water. Wildlife, including a herd
of 40 elephants, roam freely within the buffer area.
SiyaQhubeka employs some 1,100, mainly from adjoining communities of Khula
and Mfekayi. It also procures goods and services from eight black empowerment
contractors who collectively employ 543 people. The company also runs numerous
Working for Water projects to control invasive alien weeds.
The company’s commitment to conservation and responsible forestry
is further underpinned by its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification,
endorsed by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature. This ensures compliance
with social, economic and environmental standards, providing guarantees
to customers and the public that products are derived from well-managed
forests.
Editor: The Authority has ‘dropped’ fences
to include 4 000 ha of SQ forest areas; in the Park 8000ha of plantations
are being removed to re-establish the natural functions of the Western Shores
as a water source for the narrows - an important estuary offering a fully-fledged
game experience.
Fact file
SiyaQhubeka – ‘Let’s Go Forward Together’ - was
established when SAFCOL (South African Forestry Company Limited), as part
of its privatisation process, sold its KZN commercial forestry assets in
a R100 million transaction in 2001.
The majority shareholder, SiyaQhubeka Consortium (75%) is an association
between Mondi Ltd and its empowerment partner Imbokodvo Lemabalabala Holdings
(I.L. Holdings), the first black empowerment entity to acquire shares in
a significant forestry enterprise in SA. www.siyaqhubeka.co.za
KWAKHIWA ISANGO LASEMSHOPHI.
Isango laseMkhuze lakhiwe kabusha, ukuvulela amathuba misebeni kosomabhizinisi abancane kanye nakubakhiqizi bomsebenzi ezandla. Kuyimanje sekuvuleke amathuba emisebenzi engaphezu kwewu-33 evulelwe umphakathi waseMkhuze.
Lomsebenzi uqale ngo-Mashi 2003, kanti ngaphambi kokuqala wawo, kwenziwa uqeqesho ulwaluzonikeza umhlahlandlela ngomsebenzi zokwenziwa.U-Doppy Mbuyazi ongusonkontilaki nokunguyena wathola ithuba lokutonyulwa ukwenza lomsebenzi uthi lomsebenzi ukwazile ukuthuthukisa amakhono kubantu, kanti nenkosi imbala yabeseyigcizelela ngokuthi isizwe sayo sikwazile ukuthuthukisa makhono awo ngokwakhiwa kwalelisango.
