The communities of Makhoba and Batlokoa on Thursday had their wishes finally granted following the official handing over ceremony for the transfer of plantations. Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Ms Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu handed over the plantations during the event held at Mount Fletcher, Elundini Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province.
Improving livelihood
The Batlokoa and Makhoba communities submitted their community forestry agreement (CFA) requests some time ago and the minister has approved and signed their CFA. The combined size of the plantations is approximately 362.31 hectares and it widely hoped this development would substantially improve the livelihoods of the two communities as it will create jobs particularly for the youth and women. In terms of the handover, the Makhoba community would manage Makhoba plantation while Lehana and Fort Usher plantations will now fall under the management of Batlokoa.
Forestry master plan
According to minister Sotyu, forestry is one of the leading sectors in our economy that has capacity and capability to contribute to the growth of this country. She said her department has been at the forefront of developing the forestry sector’s master plan to support economic growth.
“The master plan focuses mainly on interventions that will yield growth, investment and transformation plan for the forestry sector. The plan was approved for implementation during November 2021 and it is in its second year of implementation,” said minister Sotyu. One of the main features of the master plan is the transfer of plantation resources to beneficiary communities. This will allow government to focus on policy regulation including creating an enabling environment for the sector.
Sustainable management and development
Minister Sotyu said the handing over of the plantations is line with the provisions of the National Forests Acts (NFA), 1998 (Act No.84 of 1998) whose primary purpose is to promote the sustainable management and development of forestsfor the benefit of all. In addition, she said, it promotes community forestry and greater participation in all aspects of forestry and the forest products industry by persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. Similarly, section 29 of the NFA allows communities that are interested in managing state forest plantations to submit their request to enter into a community forestry agreement with the minister.
‘Lease-expired state land’
The CFA is the outcome of discussions between the DFFE and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) with several municipalities to facilitate that all lease-expired state land, should be re-commissioned back for forestry commercial plantations, with the aim to enter into a community forestry agreement with the communities that are now currently occupying the land.
Commitment to support the communities
Minister Sotyu said her department is aware that these plantations are not in a condition that is ideal for timber production purposes and require a lot of work and resources to turn them around. “In line with the signed community forestry agreements, I would like to make a commitment on behalf of the department that we will provide with the necessary support that is required to make these plantations a viable business in the future. The department will work with the affected communities to develop a plan that will ensure the management of these resources in a sustainable manner going forward,” assured minister Sotyu.
Linking communities to industry players
She further committed to undertake initiatives such as site species matching to determine the perfect species that can thrive in this area, provision of technical and advisory support services, including training. Where it is possible, said the minister, the communities will be linked with interested industry role-players in a fair and transparent manner. These industry role-players should be viewed as strategic partners who will then assist with additional expertise and resources to recapitalise plantations. This will be their contribution as part of the master plan, and we hope that they will assist when they are called to in this regard, added minister Sotyu.
