Our People.
Our Forests.
Sustainability at SAFCOL stands on three pillars — Our People, Our Communities and Our Environment — while our ecotourism estates across Mpumalanga and Limpopo invite visitors into the heart of the forest.
Rooted in
Responsibility
SAFCOL's sustainability approach is built on three pillars - Our People, Our Communities and Our Environment - supporting approximately 25,000 lives through job creation, small business support, schools, clinics and early childhood development.
Land Risk Management Division
± 57% of plantations affected
About 57% of SAFCOL's plantations are directly affected by land claims. A dedicated Land Risk Management Division has been established to engage claimant communities and government toward equitable, sustainable settlements.
± 1.4M m³
Annual sustainable timber volume from SAFCOL's managed plantation estates.
25,000+ Lives
Supported through jobs, small business development and social upliftment programmes.
Level 1 B-BBEE Contributor
As part of our commitment to the State's economic transformation agenda, SAFCOL actively supports the implementation of Government's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies, increasing the meaningful participation of previously disadvantaged South Africans across our forestry value chain.
In recognition of our sustained transformation efforts, SAFCOL has been independently verified as a Level 1 B-BBEE Contributor. This achievement reflects strong performance across management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development, and socio-economic development.
download Download B-BBEE CertificateIndependently verified
25,000 Lives Supported
Most of SAFCOL's operations are located in rural areas of South Africa, many of which remain underdeveloped. As a state-owned company, we operate as a commercially viable business while advancing Government's developmental agenda.
We support approximately 25,000 lives by creating employment, enabling small business development, and implementing social upliftment initiatives - including the construction of schools, clinics, early childhood development centres, and other community infrastructure that contributes to improved quality of life.
Long-standing relationships with surrounding communities are formalised through social compacts that enable collaborative planning. The newly named Land Risk Management Division (formerly the Land Claims Division) coordinates engagement with land claimants and adjacent communities.
Through jobs, small business support and social upliftment programmes.
Land Risk Management Division
A significant portion of SAFCOL's plantations - approximately 57% - is affected by land claims. We have adopted a proactive community engagement model that integrates land claim beneficiaries into our value chain.
The Land Risk Management Division coordinates and facilitates the successful and timeous settlement of land claims, working in strategic collaboration with the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) under a mutually beneficial settlement model.
Three Improvement Areas
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Research & Verification
Detailed research and verification of all land claims.
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Gazetting of Valid Claims
Gazetting of all valid land claims through the appropriate channels.
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Sustainable Forestry Alignment
Alignment of settlement outcomes with sustainable forestry operations.
Agroforestry Initiatives
Agroforestry is one of SAFCOL's flagship sustainability programmes, supporting communities through alternative land-use practices that strengthen food security, household income and local enterprise development.
Mushroom Harvesting Programme
Community members are granted controlled access to SAFCOL forests to harvest indigenous mushrooms, which are sold to processing companies for seasonal income.
JDM Keet Agroforestry
Temporarily unplanted land at JDM Keet plantation allocated to local communities for the cultivation of jugo beans and groundnuts.
Subsistence Farming & School Nutrition
Support for subsistence and school-based vegetable gardens, enhancing nutrition programmes and household food security in rural communities.
Beekeeping in Plantations
Small-scale beekeepers establish hives within SAFCOL plantations, supporting honey-harvesting enterprises and enhancing biodiversity.
Catalysing Rural Economic Development
Our ESD programme supports aspiring entrepreneurs in formalising their business ideas into viable enterprises. Micro and small enterprises drive sustainable employment, income distribution and competitiveness in the communities surrounding our operations.
Access to Markets
Suppliers on the Supplier Development Programme qualify for specific procurement targets. The service is restricted to land claimants and local communities within SAFCOL's footprint, with extended services for SMEs supported through the Enterprise Development Programme.
Facilitation of Access to Finance
Contract funding and supplier arrangements qualify for loans. SAFCOL does not offer wholesale or retail in-house funding, but external funding can be pre-arranged with project partners and stakeholders. Grants for business start-ups may be considered.
Non-Financial Support
MSMEs receive a package of services ranging from technical mentorship and financial management to basic business support. Internal support is supplemented by external services where appropriate.
Sinikiwe Ithuba Primary Cooperative
"We have been given an opportunity"
Sinikiwe Ithuba Primary Cooperative is a shining example of transformation within the forestry value chain. Initially capacitated through SAFCOL's Learning and Development Division in furniture manufacturing, the cooperative progressed into the Enterprise Development programme and transitioned to becoming a supplier.
Their milestone delivery: 100 school desks for Ithole Primary School in Amsterdam, Mpumalanga - a previously disadvantaged school. This achievement affirmed the cooperative's ability to deliver quality furniture products within SAFCOL's supply chain.
Central to this success was the donation of high-quality lumber from SAFCOL's Timbadola Sawmill, coupled with technical mentorship from the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA).
1,000 School Desks Programme: SAFCOL's furniture manufacturing flagship initiative trained 20 skilled youth at Timbadola Sawmill, producing 1,000 wooden desks, benches and bookshelves donated to schools within SAFCOL's footprint.
Our Ecotourism Footprint
Hiking trails, waterfalls, picnic sites and lodge accommodation across SAFCOL's Mpumalanga and Limpopo forestry estates - managed from the Sabie Forestry Museum office.
Ecotourism Destinations
Forest Waterfalls
Lone Creek Falls, Bridal Veil, Mac Mac Pools, Berlin Falls, Lisbon Falls and Debengeni Falls.
Hiking Trails
Magoebaskloof · Kaapschehoop · Fanie Botha · Uitsoek
Picnic Sites
Mac Mac Pools · Green Heritage Site
Lakenvlei Lodge
SAFCOL's overnight accommodation nestled in the forest estates of Mpumalanga.
People-Centred
Forestry
SAFCOL supports approximately 25,000 lives through job creation, small business support interventions and social upliftment programmes - including schools, clinics and early childhood development centres in our host communities.
Ecotourism Office
Based at the Sabie Forestry Museum. All SAFCOL ecotourism sites are cashless facilities — card or mobile payment only.
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 08:00 – 17:00 (including public holidays)
99% Timber-framed Structures
SAFCOL has invested in social infrastructure projects across Mpumalanga (MP), Limpopo (LP) and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). 99% of all social infrastructure projects are timber-framed structures, promoted as an alternative to conventional brick and mortar.
Timber-frame Projects (28)
Conventional Brick & Mortar Projects (10)