Deputy Minister Seiso Mohai calls for coordinated action to unlock SAFCOL’s developmental potential

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Seiso Mohai, has called for stronger collaboration across government, business and civil society to unlock the full developmental potential of the South African Forestry Company SOC Limited (SAFCOL) and enhance its contribution to inclusive economic growth.

The Deputy Minister made the call during an oversight monitoring visit to SAFCOL in Mpumalanga on Tuesday, 8 September 2026. The engagement brought together representatives of 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 monitoring SAFCOL’s projects and facilities, assessing the company’s 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 relating to asset protection, the green economy and sustainable partnerships in land reform.

Deputy Minister Mohai said SAFCOL had an important role to play in supporting rural economic development, job creation, climate resilience, industrialisation and inclusive economic participation. He noted that it was appropriate for the oversight engagement to take place in Mpumalanga, which is the company’s operational heartland.

“We need a high-functioning and impactful SAFCOL to drive inclusive economic growth, create jobs, tackle unemployment and strengthen the capacity of the state,” said Deputy Minister Mohai.

The oversight visit examined how SAFCOL could become a stronger catalyst for rural industrialisation in Mpumalanga and support greater downstream timber beneficiation. It also considered the protection of strategic forestry assets, the company’s potential role in the green economy transition, and opportunities to transform unresolved land reform dynamics into productive partnerships.

Deputy Minister Mohai emphasised the need for a coordinated, whole-of-government response focusing on security, industrialisation, infrastructure modernisation and meaningful community partnership models. Such coordination would help position SAFCOL as a flagship developmental enterprise aligned with South Africa’s long-term growth agenda.

The DPME supports improved government-wide planning and alignment with national priorities, promotes evidence-based decision-making, and assesses progress in implementing the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024–2029 and the National Development Plan. It also encourages collective action by engaging stakeholders across sectors in the implementation of the country’s development goals.

Deputy Minister Mohai said the visit should inspire renewed commitment from all spheres of government and other sectors of society to work together to strengthen SAFCOL and enable it to make a meaningful 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,” Deputy Minister Mohai said.

The visit was attended by representatives of the provincial government, Acting Director-General of the DPME, Advocate Melanchton Makobe; SAFCOL Chief Executive Officer, Sibalo Dlamini; and representatives from government, business and civil society.

For Media enquiries related to the Office of the Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, kindly contact Ms Xoliswa Salman on 0826332016 or email Xoliswa.Salman@dpme.gov.za.

For enquiries related to the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, kindly contact Mr Thomas Nkosi on 0799079016 or email Tomnkosi@DPME.gov.za.

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