Johannesburg: Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Seiso Mohai, has called for stronger collaboration between government, business, and civil society to unlock the full developmental potential of the South African Forestry Company SOC Limited (SAFCOL) and strengthen its contribution to inclusive economic growth. Mohai made the call during an oversight monitoring visit to SAFCOL in Mpumalanga on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.
According to South African Government News Agency, the engagement brought together representatives from national, provincial, and local government, business, civil society, forestry suppliers, furniture cooperatives, and agroforestry beneficiaries. The visit formed part of the oversight responsibilities of the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME) and focused on SAFCOL's projects and facilities, its capacity to promote rural industrialisation and downstream beneficiation, and examining challenges that may prevent the company from reaching its full potential.
The engagement also explored opportunities linked to the protection of strategic assets, the green economy, and sustainable partnerships arising from land reform. Mohai stated that SAFCOL has an important role to play in advancing rural economic development, job creation, climate resilience, industrialisation, and inclusive economic participation. He noted that Mpumalanga is an appropriate location for the oversight engagement, given that it is the company's operational heartland.
The oversight visit examined how SAFCOL could become a stronger catalyst for rural industrialisation in Mpumalanga while supporting greater downstream beneficiation of timber. It also considered measures to protect strategic forestry assets, SAFCOL's potential contribution to the green economy transition, and opportunities to turn unresolved land reform dynamics into productive partnerships.
Mohai emphasised the need for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach focused on security, industrialisation, infrastructure modernisation, and meaningful community partnerships. He said such coordination will help position SAFCOL as a flagship developmental enterprise aligned with South Africa's long-term growth agenda.
The DPME is responsible for supporting improved government-wide planning and alignment with national priorities, promoting evidence-based decision-making, and assessing progress in the implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029 and the National Development Plan. The department also facilitates collective action by bringing together stakeholders across sectors to support the implementation of the country's development priorities.
Mohai expressed that the oversight visit should inspire renewed commitment from all spheres of government and other sectors of society to strengthen SAFCOL and enable it to make a greater contribution to the country's development. 'Let us make it our collective responsibility to unlock SAFCOL's full potential and strengthen the building blocks that can drive inclusive growth, sustainable development, transformation, and broad prosperity in our communities,' the Deputy Minister said.
The visit was attended by representatives from national and provincial government, DPME Acting Director-General Advocate Melanchton Makobe, SAFCOL Chief Executive Officer Sibalo Dlamini, as well as representatives from business and civil society.
