Photo : Illustration
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Makhotso Sotyu has handed over the management of the Mabama plantation to the beneficiary communities of Mashamba Traditional Council in Limpopo.
Addressing the handover ceremony on Tuesday, the Deputy Minister said the transfer of the management of 71.92 hectares plantation will improve the livelihoods of communities within Mashamba Traditional Council.
“The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment takes cognisance of the fact that these plantations are not necessarily in a condition that is ideal for timber production purposes and require a lot of work and resources to turn them around.
“I would like to make a commitment on behalf of the department that we will provide the community with the necessary support that is required to make these plantations productive in future.
“It must be noted that these plantations are categorised as woodlots, and 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,” she said.
She said the department will conduct initiatives such as site species matching to determine the ideal species that can grow well in this area, provision of technical and advisory support services and training of beneficiaries to empower them with knowledge and skills of sustainable forest management.
“Furthermore, the department can provide seedlings that will be needed to re-establish the plantations. These commitments are further outlined in the post settlement support package that is in the process of being finalised by the department. Where feasible, we will also try to link communities with strategic partners who will then assist with additional expertise and resources to recapitalise the plantations,” Sotyu said