From Risk to Resilience:   Strengthening the Timber Industry Together

It is mind-blowing that we have come to the end of March, with first quarter of 2026 behind, and for those of you with kids in school, the end of Term 1. I suppose we have had many distractions, both locally and globally, with the antics by certain presidents and the strikes on Iran. We are certainly living in trying times.

Some say that we cannot complain, as it has taken his attention off his tariff impositions. As South Africans, we are inherently resilient, and our sawmillers will press on with business as usual.

Timber purchasing scam and raids on businesses
In our last newsletter I warned members about a sophisticated timber purchasing scam that had left one of our millers considerably out-of-pocket.

Another serious situation has cropped up where businesses being unconstitutionally raided and bullied by people claiming to be from Parliament and the portfolio committee on labour.

I am quite sure that all of you have followed the events of the raid on the Normandien farms outside Newcastle KZN and the considerable, illegal and harmful damage that the raid caused to the workers and owners of the business.

Our colleagues at Normandien urge you all to remain vigilant. Please ensure that your security personnel are fully informed of their rights and do not grant access to any individuals without the appropriate documentation and formal authorisation from management.

Incidents of this nature used to only happen in urban areas; they are now worryingly filtering through to rural districts.

Farewell Gerald
Time has come to bid farewell to one of our longstanding friend and colleague Mr Gerald Stolts of the York Group. Gerald has been with the York Timbers Group since 2018 and CEO since 2022. Gerald will be leaving York at the end of March to pursue other interests. We wish everything of the best.
          
Forestry Value Chain Forum engages Government and key stakeholders
The Forestry Value Chain Forum (FVCF) is an industry initiative led by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), the industry body representing the pulp, paper, packaging and tissue sector. The FVCF has been set-up to enable better collaboration across the various entities along the forestry value chain, including Forestry South Africa, Sawmilling South Africa, PAMSa, the South African Utility Poles Association,the South African Wood Preservers Association and the boards and furniture sector, represented by PG Bison.

In early March, we held an insightful session where the various FVCF members spoke about the key challenges and opportunities. We were fortunate to many of our Government and industry stakeholders such as SARS and ITAC, in the audience where they were able to get a better understanding of the greater sector. There are many commonalities, not least of which the issue of timber theft and how it filters down to the subsectors. Facilitated table discussions, comprising a good mix of stakeholders, focused on identifying barriers, bottlenecks, and areas of synergy. These insights are informing, and will continue to guide, the FVCF’s strategic direction.

Talking Timber talks sustainability
Another ‘episode’ in our successful series of webinars was also held this month. Addressing the question “Is Timber Truly Sustainable?”, Professor Ben du Toit, an associate professor at Stellenbosch University, and Dr David Everard, Chairperson of the Sustainable African Forestry Assurance Scheme and respected forestry expert, unpacked the various areas where people misunderstood, especially the perceived impact of land and water. The webinar was attended by more than 100 delegates (out of 200 registrations) and many myths, inaccuracies and assumptions were corrected by the two experts.

The webinar, along with all previous webinars, can be viewed here.

So that’s it. Let me take this time to wish you a blessed April – whether you will be marking Easter, Passover or Eid al-Fitr.

So until next month Don’t forget to cut straight and dry flat.

Cheers,
Roy Southey
Executive Director: Sawmilling South Africa