Our Business Units
Six interlocking business units span the SAFCOL value chain from plantation establishment and harvesting through to lumber processing, timber-frame structures, ecotourism and skills development at the Platorand Training Centre.
Forestry
SAFCOL manages 187,000 hectares of FSC-certified plantation across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the IFLOMA estate in Mozambique. Pine, eucalyptus and wattle are grown on rotation to supply both the local sawmilling industry and SAFCOL's own Timbadola Sawmill.
Silvicultural operations, integrated fire management, pest and disease control, and harvest planning are governed by the SAFCOL Forestry Management Plan.
Learn more about Forestry arrow_forwardLumber & Processing
The Timbadola Sawmill in Limpopo processes SA Pine into structural and non-structural sawn timber. Structural grades S5P and S7P, plus non-structural CL, SE, DL and CR grades are produced to SANS specification.
All sales are concluded on an ex-mill basis. The Sales Manager: Niel Gouws coordinates customer orders directly.
Learn more about Lumber arrow_forward
Round Logs
SAFCOL supplies Pine, Eucalyptus and Wattle round logs to the local market through an annual bidding process. Customers include pulp mills, independent sawmillers, the mining timber sector and pole treatment plants.
Learn more about Round Logs arrow_forwardTimber-frame Structures
SAFCOL is South Africa's largest builder of timber-frame social infrastructure. Schools, clinics, early childhood development centres and community halls are constructed using SA Pine in line with NHBRC and SANS standards.
99% of SAFCOL's social infrastructure projects are timber-framed - a quiet but vital contribution to rural service delivery.
Timber-frame projects arrow_forward
Ecotourism
SAFCOL's Forest Waterfalls and Hiking Trails portfolio includes the Magoebaskloof, Kaapschehoop, Fanie Botha and Uitsoek trails, six iconic forest waterfalls in Mpumalanga, and the Lakenvlei Forest Lodge in Belfast.
Platorand Training Centre
Located in Sabie, Mpumalanga, the Platorand Training Centre is accredited by the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing SETA (FP&M SETA) and is a member of the Forestry Industry Training Providers Association. The Centre delivers programmes for SAFCOL employees and adjacent communities under the SAFCOL Learning & Development Policy and Bursary Policy.
Six Platorand Programmes
Learnerships
Forestry, Processing and Furniture Making learnerships from NQF1 to NQF3.
Apprenticeships
Millwright, Diesel Mechanic, Electrician, Fitter and Boilermaker trade apprenticeships.
Internships
Workplace internship placements for graduates entering the forestry sector.
Bursaries
Tertiary bursaries governed by the SAFCOL Bursary Policy.
Management & Leadership
Targeted leadership development for emerging and senior managers.
Short Skills
Fire fighting, Health & Safety and machine operation short courses.