Cape Forest Products is a new dawn for South Africa's forestry sector
The optimising cross-cut system at PG Bison's Thesen Sawmill in George
The merger of PG Bison’s Southern Cape sawmilling operations with MTO Forestry Southern and Eastern Cape operations to create a new company, Cape Forests Products, creates a more sustainable timber and sawmilling industry in the Southern Cape.
CEO of the newly formed Cape Forests Products, Greg Woodbridge, says, “This merger heralds an exciting new dawn for an industry that is so important to the region in terms of sustaining jobs.” Cape Forests Products will employ directly and indirectly over 2,500 forestry and sawmilling people in the region.
The devastating fires in recent years have severely impacted the forestry and sawmilling operations in the area, and it will take several years for operations to recover to pre-fire levels. As a result, the various businesses were operating at suboptimal levels.
“Our customers are situated predominantly in the Western, Southern and Eastern Cape. The merger means we can offer them a more reliable source of supply and a wider variety of quality products from our various operations”, Woodbridge explains.
Cape Forests Products will consist of PG Bison Southern Cape’s about 10,200 hectares of forestry plantations; the Thesen sawmill in George and its Woodline pole plant in Groot Brakrivier, and MTO Forestry’s about 31,700 hectares of leased forestry plantation and its sawmills in George and Longmore.
“The merger has created a significant black controlled business in the forestry and sawmilling sector with increased production and reliability of sawlog supply, improved efficiencies and sustainable sawn timber supply, all of which will encourage further investment and enhanced competitiveness”, says Woodbridge.
The merger is subject to approval by the Competition Commission.
When Knysna’s woodcutters cut wood
Oxen offloading logs at Thesens Sawmill. Pic by discover-sedgefield-south-africa.com
Adam Stander was born in the Knysna forest in 1928 and given two birth days, 22 November, when his name was carved on a tree to note his birth and 28 November, the day his woodcutter father travelled into town and registered his son’s birth.
The Knysna forest, which forms part of the “Garden Route” on South Africa’s southern coastline, was historically significant from colonial times as a natural timber resource used for fuelwood, construction, shipbuilding, furniture, and other purposes.
Life was hard
Life was hard for forest woodcutters. Boys from a young age laboured in their father’s harvesting team and were taken out of school when they were about 12 to work full-time. It was a challenging and dangerous life, with woodcutters working and camping in hazardous conditions to harvest and transport trees out of the forest to sawmills in Knysna.
Adam often regaled his daughter, Dalena Wolmarans, with stories of growing up and working with his father, and later with his own oxen, deep in the Knysna forest.
“Good for” payments
Woodcutters were usually paid with a “Good for” list of items they could exchange for their timber, including foodstuffs like sweet potatoes, flour, and coffee. This meant that no money was exchanged, which made it nearly impossible to save and break free from this kind of life.
On one occasion, potatoes were left in the fire overnight to cool. The elephants paid the camp a visit after dark, scratched out the potato treats and ate the men’s breakfast! Another time, the bread was five days old and too hard to eat. The men rolled it into hard balls that they threw at a few luckless doves, managing to kill them for dinner.
In 1913, a new Forest Act required woodcutters to register to practise their trade. The register of that time reflects 1,260 woodcutters.
The trees were numbered, and the registered men had to draw numbers out of a hat to obtain the trees they were allowed to harvest. They often had to walk deep into the forest to find and fell the allocated tree. Frequently, it was in a deep valley or on a steep slope, making it backbreaking to extract.
By this time, the government realised that harvesting indigenous timber was unsustainable and promoted the planting of pine plantations.
In those days trains were also used to extract logs from the Garden Route indigenous forests. Pic by Discover-sedgefield-south-africa.com
Adam Stander legacy
Adam had an entrepreneurial spirit and was determined to work his way out of the forest. In 1950, the owner of a Knysna garage was so impressed by the young man’s resolve that he did an unheard-of thing in those days and loaned him the money to buy a truck.
For almost 30 years, AJJ Stander Vervoer transported pine for Thesens Sawmill, the largest sawmill in the area at the time, until its wood yard burned down. Thereafter, he hauled timber for Urbans Sawmill in George.
He also established Adam Stander Houtverkope and a sawmill until he handed the reins to Dalena to continue growing the family legacy.
New Interim Forest Stewardship Standard for Zimbabwe
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has released the new Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Zimbabwe, which incorporates the FSC's latest Principles and Criteria for effective forest management. The standard will take effect on 1 January 2026.
The scope of the Zimbabwe standard encompasses plantation and indigenous forests. It includes large-scale and small- or low-intensity managed forests (SLIMFs). Producers of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are also catered for.
Growing deforestation
Zimbabwe is home to over 5,930 species of plants and more than 1,360 species of animals. Forests and woodlands currently cover about 35% of the country's total land area and play multiple essential roles critical to the livelihoods of poor rural communities.
In 2021, the forest products sector accounted for about 3% of Zimbabwe's total GDP. The country has three major forest ecosystems: Baikiaea, which comprises 25% of total forest cover; Miombo, covering 30%; and Mopane, accounting for 45%.
However, deforestation is an urgent issue. Between 1990 and 2010, Zimbabwe lost an average of 1.48% of its forest cover each year, totalling over 6.5 million hectares. Data from Global Forest Watch indicate that between 2002 and 2024, the country lost 1.02 million hectares (13%) of humid primary forest, accounting for 0.43% of its total tree cover loss during that period.
According to the Forestry Commission, the country loses an average of 330,000 hectares of forest land each year due to agricultural expansion, tobacco curing, overreliance on fuelwood energy, increased human settlement, uncontrolled veld fires, and the introduction of invasive alien species. At the current rate of forest loss, it is estimated that Zimbabwe could lose all its forests within 52 years.
Sustainable forestry
The new IFSS represents a significant advancement in FSC's commitment to promoting sustainable forestry practices in Zimbabwe. Forest certification ensures that plantations are managed responsibly and sustainably, protecting the rights of forest workers and communities, safeguarding the environment, and ensuring the profitability of the forest enterprise. It will facilitate the export of Zimbabwean forest products and enhance competitiveness.
The development of this standard was a collaborative effort. In 2023, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) appointed the non-governmental organisation Soil Association Certification to develop Interim Forest Stewardship Standards (IFSS) for Zimbabwe.
Soil Association's forestry standards specialists, Vanessa Linforth and Jeanette Clarke, facilitated the standard development process in Zimbabwe, working closely with the lead forestry agency, the Zimbabwe Forestry Commission. Stakeholders were identified in 2023 and participated in several online and onsite consultations, culminating in a workshop in Lusaka where various industries and community members discussed the second draft of the standard.
The IFSS is aligned with the 2023 Zimbabwe National Forest Policy and the National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025), which is Zimbabwe's first five-year Medium-Term Plan, aimed at realising the country's Vision 2030 for national development.
The future of forestry: How drones are set to transform the industry
Greg Fuller - ICFR Technical Manager. Pic courtesy of ICFR
By Greg Fuller, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) Technical Manager
As we look towards the future of forestry operations, one technology is emerging as a true game-changer: drones. In the next five years, we can expect drone technology to transform forest management by integrating precision applications and advanced spatial analytics, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making.
Precision applications
The use of drones in plantation forestry is rapidly transforming the way forests are monitored and managed. With high-resolution, multi-temporal imagery, drones provide foresters with a powerful tool to assess tree health, track tree growth rates, and detect early signs of pests or diseases. Advanced remote sensing technologies, such as multispectral and LiDAR imaging, allow for precise mapping of canopy structure, biomass estimation, and detailed quantification of carbon pools.
Beyond forest health monitoring, drones are streamlining inventory management by delivering accurate tree counts and volume estimations, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with traditional field surveys.
Their ability to cover vast areas quickly also makes them indispensable for assessing abiotic damage from fire, drought, or hail, and even unauthorised logging activities. By integrating drone-collected data with advanced analytics, plantation managers can optimise resource allocation, improve silvicultural practices, and enhance overall forest sustainability.
Drones are also increasingly being used for the precision application of pesticides and herbicides for weed control in both commercial and conservation areas, a crucial advancement that minimises human exposure to hazardous chemicals while reducing reliance on inefficient blanket spraying methods. As technology continues to evolve, drones are set to become an essential tool in the future of precision forestry.
However, there is a caveat, as transformation hinges on supportive legislation, particularly the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) laws governing UAV operations.
Overcoming legislative hurdles
Despite the promising prospects of drone technology in forestry, the journey has not been without challenges. In South Africa, stringent legislative and regulatory requirements have posed significant hurdles to the legal compliance of AUV operations. Obtaining a Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) and securing additional permissions, such as the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Certificate (UASOC), is a daunting, time-consuming, and costly process. It often requires weeks of study and up to R100,000 in expenses just to become a registered operator.
Reform of the current South African UAV legislation is needed for the forestry sector to be able to unlock the true potential of this technology.
That said, the potential for drones in forestry is limitless! While becoming a certified drone pilot was at times daunting, it has ultimately been a rewarding experience. Piloting cutting-edge technology and contributing to the industry with newly acquired skills has been incredibly fulfilling.
I am deeply grateful for the confidence and support from the ICFR and Forestry South Africa (FSA), and I look forward to seeing more industry-led projects that leverage the valuable resources established at the ICFR soon.
Source: Article posted on the ICFR website on 5 March 2025.
She is Forestry SA 2025 Awards winners
Prof Sanushka Naidoo of FABI - Resounding Contribution ot Forestry Science AwardTammy Makgatho - Resounding Contribution to the Forestry Sector Award
The forestry sector celebrated exceptional female excellence at the 2025 She is Forestry South Africa Awards. The annual awards are presented during the She is Forestry annual online gathering during Women’s Month in August.
Several women were nominated for each category; however, only one could be selected. All were recognised for their individual achievements, being inspiring role models and contributing to the leadership and growth of the sector.
Postgraduate Award
Anneri Lötter, a PhD candidate in genetics at the University of Pretoria, received the She is Forestry Postgraduate Award for her pioneering research on the Eucalyptus grandis pan-genome. Her work is helping to unlock the genetic diversity and resilience of one of South Africa’s most important forestry species, with potential benefits for productivity, disease resistance, and sustainable forestry management.
Resounding Contribution to Forestry Science Award
Professor Sanushka Naidoo, an internationally respected leader in plant genetics and biotechnology, was honoured with the She is Forestry Resounding Contribution to Forestry Science Award. Her career has been marked by groundbreaking research in tree–pathogen interactions and the mentorship of a new generation of forestry scientists.
Gugulethu Sihomo - Undergraduate Student AwardAnneri Lotter of FABI - Postgraduate Award
Undergraduate Award
Gugulethu Sihomo, a student at Fort Cox Agriculture & Forestry Training Institute, was selected for the Undergraduate Award. A dedicated student, she is presently in her third year and is passionate about sustainable forest practices. She is determined to be the first graduate in her family.
Small-scale Enterprise Award
The Small-scale Enterprise Award went to Dudu Gumede of Mondi Zimele. She is the dedicated and selfless owner of Dubamthunzi, a silviculture company that employs over 120 people.
Resounding Contribution to the Forestry Sector Award
Tammy Makgatho, Executive Group Processing at Merensky Timber won the Resounding Contribution to the Forestry Sector Award. Tammy has been reshaping the sector for 20 years. She has moved from finance to general management and executive leadership. Now she is re-engineering Weza Sawmill, one of the boldest operational shifts in the sawmilling industry. She leads from the ground up with discipline, purpose and people at the core.
Resounding Contribution Behind the Scenes Award
Cindy Mji of Mondi was celebrated with the She is Forestry Resounding Contribution Behind the Scenes Award. Cindy’s dedication and unwavering commitment to inspiring and empowering emerging business owners have made a profound and lasting impact. She has been a driving force in overcoming barriers that emerging entrepreneurs face when securing start-up capital.
NCT Commercial Tree Farmer of the Year 2025: The Crowe family's Fairfield Estate
Jasper, Matthew, Karien and Felix Crowe at home at Fairfield Estate
NCT's annual recognition of commercial growers farming their land responsibly and sustainably has become a benchmark achievement for the cooperative's members. Fairfield Estate, owned and managed by Matthew Crowe and his wife Karien, was announced the winner of the annual Commercial Tree Farmer of the Year award at NCT's recent annual general meeting.
Matthew is the fourth generation of the Crowe family farming the 1,127-hectare estate in Sevenoaks in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands, South Africa.
Family values are essential for Matthew and Karien. "It brings me immense joy that our sons, Jasper and Felix, share the same love for the land. Watching them grow into the rhythm of farm life is one of my proudest experiences, and I hope to one day pass on Fairfield to them, just as it was passed down to me," Matthew comments.
Commercially grown trees cover 982ha of the farm, comprising 480ha of Acacia mearnsii wattle seedlings and AF01/SF644 clones and 26ha of Acacia decurrens. The latter, known as green wattle, is sought after by local bark mills.
The area under Eucalyptus is currently 348ha planted to GxN and E. dunnii. However, Matthew is phasing out E. dunnii due to its susceptibility to damage by Gonipterus scutelatus (Eucalyptus snout beetle) and replacing it, depending on the site, with GxN, wattle clones, or green wattle.
The future of Fairfield Estate, Jasper and Felix CroweThe Fairfield Estate fire crewMatthew’s Bonsmara x Brangus herd are effective fuel load managers
Site-species and market matching
Matthew's outlook on silvicultural practices is not set in stone. He experiments with various planting spacings to observe how the trees grow and to determine the timber's quality and yield at rotation. For example, he has adjusted the rotation age of his GxNs to between five and six years, enabling him to supply a local pole-processing plant with smaller-diameter logs for fencing and building poles.
In a recently planted GxN2107 compartment, a small area was planted with the new GxN311 clone to compare its growth, stem form, yield, and susceptibility to pest and disease outbreaks, and to determine if it is suitable for Fairfield Estate.
Weeding operations are carried out either by cultural methods or herbicides. The interrow is wind-boxed, with dying vegetation serving as a mulch layer, and the line is hoed to reduce competition from weeds.
Harvesting and extraction
The harvesting operations are carried out by a local contractor who has been working on the farm since Matthew's father's time, using the tried and tested motor manual harvesting system.
Felled trees are left in the field to dry, which reduces cracking. They are sized for extraction according to the desired pole lengths and diameters and manually loaded for extraction. The poles are sorted on the farm before delivery to ensure the quality of the poles meets the market requirements.
The harvesting and extraction processes are carefully managed to minimise stump damage, ensuring a high coppice percentage is achieved.
Roads, residues and fire
Fairfield Estate's road network is well planned and constructed for efficient operations and fire protection. The roads are swept and cleared in winter, creating fuel load breaks that help slow down ground fires and ensure unhindered vehicle access.
Matthew is exploring various methods for managing his residues to avoid burning on sensitive sites. He decided not to burn the harvesting waste in a compartment that was severely damaged in a wildfire that destroyed the humus and organic matter layers. Instead, he left it as is and replanted it with the legume, green wattle. The decomposing material and the green wattle will add nitrogen to the soil, thereby improving its quality.
Open areas are well maintained with the majority in a maintenance phase, burnt biannually to promote good quality grass growth for the estate's herd of Bonsmara x Brangus cattle. Their grazing also reduces the fuel load and fire risk.
Swept roads with well-constructed side drainsIn the forefront, 6-month-old Pinus elliottii and mosaic planting of various species adjacent to each other in the backgroundA biannual controlled burn on an open area in maintenance phaseGxN311 planted with GxN2107GxN2107’s harvested for the fencing and building pole markets
Social responsibilities
Between Matthew's operations and those of the harvesting contractor, there are 60 permanent employees at Fairfield Estates.
The estate's employees live in the local community and are transported to and from work. All employees and those of the harvesting contractor are trained in health and safety, fire prevention and firefighting procedures. They all have the correct personal protective equipment and know how to use it to protect themselves during firefighting and their daily work.
Assistance is given to the local school by mowing the school grounds and the soccer field. The farm dam is opened to the local schools for their annual fundraising fishing competitions.
Matthew has served as the Sevenoaks Fire Protection Officer and is a committee member of the Umvoti Agricultural Society. His advice is, "If you do your very best every day, you will succeed".
Congratulations, Godi Nsele: NCT's 2025 Small-scale Tree Farmer of the Year
Godi and Babazile Nsele with NCT's Christo Müller at the Tree Farmer of the Year awards ceremony
Godi Isaac Nsele, an agroforestry farmer from Manguzi in KwaZulu-Natal, was chosen as NCT's 2025 Small Grower Tree Farmer of the Year. The award recognises exceptional silvicultural and operational practices and environmental management.
Forestry was not on Nsele's radar when he began working in the kitchens at the state-owned South African Railways in the early 1970s. After earning his driver's license, he decided to seek other opportunities in the private sector.
In 1974, he joined his uncle in the clothing trade, sourcing garments from Durban and selling them in Empangeni. By 1977, Nsele bought his first bakkie, which he used for the business and transporting passengers between Mozambique and Empangeni in KZN. In 1981, he ventured into farming, establishing a two-hectare banana plantation in the swamps of Kosi Bay.
New plants from Nsele's nursery seedlings growing on well-prepared landBurnt brushwood prior to planting
In 1989, his land was expropriated by Ezemvelo for environmental conservation, and he invested the compensation in his first tractor and, with profits from the banana trade, built two general-dealer shops.
When the forestry industry began promoting community afforestation in Zululand in the early 1980s, Nsele seized the opportunity and planted his first timber plots. He joined NCT in 1996 and a year later harvested his first rotation.
Once he realised the potential of forestry, Nsele handed over the management of the shops to his wives and dedicated himself to his plantations. Today, he employs ten full-time workers and five seasonal workers. His son's contracting business handles harvesting, creating further employment within the family.
Godli Isaac Nsele's plantation of young healthy treesEucalyptus harvesting operations
Nsele is known for his generosity in helping others. He supports aspiring timber farmers in his community by planting and harvesting the first rotation for them. Once the landowners inherit the coppice, they are empowered to continue independently. He recently bought a new truck to transport his timber and assist fellow farmers in his area.
NCT says Nsele's journey from hardship to leadership is a reflection of the soul of the Tree Farmer of the Year accolade.
Source: NCT News & Views September 2025, edited by Joy Crane. Pics supplied by NCT.
