SA Forestry magazine

SA Forestry magazine Forestry magazine in southern Africa SA Forestry magazine is a bi-monthly magazine serving the forestry industry of southern Africa from seedling to sawmill.

Topics include: silviculture, harvesting, extraction, timber haulage & handling, contracting services, sawmilling and R&D.

Welcome to the latest edition of your sector’s magazine.This month, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of HDS Cut & Edge,...
11/09/2025

Welcome to the latest edition of your sector’s magazine.

This month, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of HDS Cut & Edge, the retail outlet division of The FX Group. Their success reflects resilience, determination, and the ability to adapt in challenging social and marketing conditions.

Resilience and determination were also key themes in Hlengiwe Ndlovu’s speech at the annual She Is Forestry event, which was enjoyed by nearly 400 online attendees in August, National Women’s Month. Nelly is the CEO of Mondi Zimele and head of the Forestry Sector Charter Council. Over the past few years, the focus of the She Is Forestry SA event has shifted from celebrating women in forestry to discussing and spotlighting role models featured in educational videos, and now to launching the Mentor Me initiative. These videos aim to inspire young girls who are considering their career options. The Mentor Me initiative is a vital five-year-long programme focusing on personal and professional development. It will be an online resource for women carving a niche for themselves in South Africa’s forestry and wood-based industries. The resource hub will include talks by thought-leading women, videos, book suggestions and other advice and tools to support people who are passionate about making a difference in the sector.

Earlier this year, we interviewed Erika du Toit, a sawmiller from Mkhondo, and this month we share an article about Dalena Wolmarans, who has managed the family sawmill and timber transport businesses in Knysna for many years. The Stander family has owned these businesses for decades, and Dalena continues to build on their strong foundation through her leadership.

We also congratulate Godli Ntsele and the Crowe family of Fairfield Estate, who were chosen as Tree Farmers of the Year by the National Captive Timber Growers (NCT). Their recognition highlights the critical contribution of responsible tree farming to the forestry industry in South Africa.

Read online or download your copy - https://www.woodbizafrica.co.za/august-2025-issue-51/

The bark, leaves, and roots of indigenous tree species in Africa form the backbone of traditional medicine, providing re...
05/09/2025

The bark, leaves, and roots of indigenous tree species in Africa form the backbone of traditional medicine, providing remedies passed down through generations. However, indiscriminate harvesting is threatening ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions of people.

In South Africa, the traditional medicine industry generates R2.9 billion annually and serves 27 million people. Duane Roothman, Vice President of Sappi Forests, says while commercial forestry helps meet timber demand sustainably, the company is actively conserving natural forest patches and investing in research to reintroduce rare tree species threatened by overharvesting.

“This Arbour Month, we’re spotlighting the indigenous forest patches that make up 7% of our land holdings and the steps we’re taking to protect and manage them. These biodiverse areas play a vital role in supporting wildlife, preserving rare plant species, and maintaining ecological balance.

Read more - https://saforestryonline.co.za/indigenous/arbour-month-sappis-indigenous-trees-programme-spreads-its-roots/

A call to action for South African furniture designers!!The brief for the 2025 Furniture Design Competition is to design...
25/08/2025

A call to action for South African furniture designers!!

The brief for the 2025 Furniture Design Competition is to design an item of wooden furniture for the Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI) using alien invasive wood species.

The Furniture Design Competition is open to budding and existing South African professional designers, furniture manufacturers, and registered design students.

Submission deadline: 30 September 2025.

https://saforestryonline.co.za/timber-design/furniture-design-competition-call-for-entries/

DIGGING DEEPER: UNEARTHING THE SECRETS TO PREPARING SOIL THE SMART WAYBefore seeds can take root, the soil must be ready...
22/08/2025

DIGGING DEEPER: UNEARTHING THE SECRETS TO PREPARING SOIL THE SMART WAY

Before seeds can take root, the soil must be ready - from ancient fields to modern farms, this truth has been passed down over the centuries - because soil readiness remains the first step toward every successful harvest.

Larry Morris, Husqvarna Area Business Manager for the Western Cape, says that it is not just about clearing ground, it’s about understanding your terrain, choosing the right tools, and setting up conditions that give crops the best possible start. “If you treat your soil well, it will pay you back with healthy plants and stronger yields.”

So, what does proper ground preparation look like in practice for small-scale farmers, plot owners, and avid gardeners?

Read more - https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/non_timber_forest_products/digging-deeper-unearthing-the-secrets-to-preparing-soil-the-smart-way/

Fifty editions and counting!Welcome to the 50th edition of ForSawn Media's WoodBiz Africa / SA Forestry digital magazine...
14/08/2025

Fifty editions and counting!

Welcome to the 50th edition of ForSawn Media's WoodBiz Africa / SA Forestry digital magazine - a milestone we're proud to celebrate with you.

The Covid pandemic fundamentally changed the landscape for Mickey Petersen and me. As income dried up in 2020, we knew January 2021 demanded decisive action. Taking stock of our situation, we recognised that our combined 70-plus years of experience in the forestry and forest products sector had equipped us with three core strengths: sector network and knowledge, advertising sales and journalism.

In early February 2021, we sat down with our friend Bronwyn Hayes of Fevertree Media to explore possibilities. From those brainstorming sessions, WoodBiz Africa was born as a digital monthly magazine. Our first edition launched at the end of the month, and we've maintained momentum ever since.

This journey would have been impossible without our community of supporters. Our advertisers believed in our vision from the start. Fevertree Media provided an essential partnership. Contributors like David Marks, Chris Chapman, and Justin Nyakudanga consistently delivered quality content. Craig Patterson and Jay Cupido. brought our digital vision to life with their design expertise. Last year, we brought SA Forestry Online on board. And you, our subscribers, have remained engaged and loyal throughout.

Reaching 50 editions represents more than just persistence—it reflects the strength of our industry and the value of staying connected through quality information and insights.

Thank you for being part of this milestone. Here's to the next 50!

Read the magazine online or download - https://www.woodbizafrica.co.za/july-2025-issue-50/

Timber in Fire & Structural Grading and Wood Quality Workshop:A CPD-accredited workshop exploring the fire performance o...
12/08/2025

Timber in Fire & Structural Grading and Wood Quality Workshop:

A CPD-accredited workshop exploring the fire performance of timber and the principles of structural grading in South Africa. Led by timber and fire specialist Marcus Human and wood science expert Prof Brand Wessels, the session offers essential insights for safe, code-compliant timber design.

Date: 9 September 2025

Registration - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmhm7NxVFojKsjffEhyTUUMLBdO_I0REjAVJ5eMolF1AmvCA/viewform

Growing Timber Connections is an alliance between the York Timbers Chair in Wood Structural Engineering at the Universit...
12/08/2025

Growing Timber Connections is an alliance between the York Timbers Chair in Wood Structural Engineering at the University of Pretoria and various partners from academia, industry and government.

Let timber lead. Let it transform. Let it form the future.

8 September 2025 - Colloquium
8 September 2025 - Timber Lab Visit
9 September 2025 - Conference and Exhibition
9 September 2025 - Awards Evening

Timber Lab Visit Registration - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKwcIXZRO1mI1CXuYhzSerufxI3sYZcd7cUXGpuJvMxSaE_A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=109744082899269677733

Awards Evening Registration - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMWtHIxVVR3ng8r8BKEGSP9RJOBl-j9L_uEnY4VkroZXmrsQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=109744082899269677733

Address

3 Minerva Road Hillcrest
Durban
3110

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SA Forestry magazine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category