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This presentation outlines the responses and progress made in addressing the issues raised during the extended public hearings on the National Forests Amendment Bill in February 2018.
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RESPONSES AND PROGRESS MADE IN ADDRESSING ISSUES RAISED DURING EXTENDED PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS AMENDMENT BILL 20 FEBRUARY 2018
PRESENTATION OUTLINE Acronyms Purpose List of provinces where extended public hearing were conducted Summary of issues raised during the extended public hearings Issues raised and DAFF responses Responses by Sector Stakeholders Interventions by the Department and Other Government Departments Way Forward
ACRONYMS AFC Amathole Forestry Company BBBEE Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment CFA Community Forestry Agreement DAFF Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries DoL Department of Labour DRDLR Department of Rural Development and Land Reform DPE Department of Public Enterprises DWS Department of Water and Sanitation EC Eastern Cape FSA Forestry South Africa FSB Financial Service Board FSC Forest Stewardship Council FP&M Seta Fiber Processing & Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority HA Hectares JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency
PURPOSE The purpose of the presentation is to: Provide the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with responses on the issues raised by stakeholders during the public hearings on the National Forests Amendment Bill, interventions and progress made in addressing those issues.
LIST OF PROVINCES WHERE EXTENDED PUBLIC HEARING WERE CONDUCTED Mthatha, Eastern Cape (O R Tambo, Alfred Nzo & Joe Gqabi District Municipalities – Ugie, Maclear, Mount Fletcher, Mthatha, Tsolo & other forest communities), 03 October 2017. Harding, Eastern Cape (Harry Gwala District Municipality – Umzimkhulu Local Municipality; Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality; Umziwabantu Local Municipality and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma: Ixopo, Bizana, Ingeli forest & other forest communities), 05 October 2017. Kranskop, KwaZulu-Natal (Umzinyathi and Amajuba Local Municipalities: Umvoti, Kranskop, Idliza, Stanger Kwadukuza and other forest communities), 06 October 2017. Khayalethucommuity hall in Thembalethusettlement, Knysna, Western Cape, 20 October 2017. Nkowankowa(Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality), Limpopo Province, 31 October 2017. Graskop Community Hall), Graskop (Greater Tubatse), Mpumalanga, 21 November 2017.
SUMMARY OF ISSUES RAISED DURING THE EXTENDED PUBLIC HEARINGS
SUMMARY OF ISSUES Management of DAFF plantations (no benefits to communities, training / skills development needs, poor management of plantations, access to the plantations for subsistence use). Long-term Forestry Lease Agreements (period for leases too long, no benefits for communities). Land reform issues (delays in finalization of land claims and issuance of title deeds). Delays with water licensing. Conditions of employees (dilapidated housing, low wages, unfair treatment). Conditions of communities in and around forests (evictions, tenure issues).
ACTIONS TAKEN BY DAFF TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES Ministerial letters sent to all stakeholders requesting intervention (Annexure C). Meetings held by the Department with different stakeholders to follow-up on issues raised: • Western Cape Forestry Sector Forum (Nov 2017 & Jan 2018) • MTO Forestry • Forestry South Africa • Singisi Forest Products • SAFCOL • Charter Council (submitted responses) • Additional consultations to be conducted and follow up with stakeholders that have not responded to date – such as the Departments of Labour, Water and Sanitation, Rural Development and Land Reform.
ACTIONS TAKEN BY DAFF TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES DAFF was requested to consult in the Harding communities based on the concerns that were raised by Amakhosi. A total of five (5) re-consultation sessions were held (7-11 November 2017) and attended by a total number of 365 participants; • Ixopo attended by 60 people; • Harding attended by 42 people; • Umzimkhulu -1st session attended by 82 people; • Umzimkhulu – 2nd session attended by 126 people; and • Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality attended by 55 people. • Department of Water and Sanitation and Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) were invited, but only DRDLR managed to attend one session in Umzimkhulu
ACTIONS TAKEN BY DAFF TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES • The Ngunjini communities requested a follow up engagement with the KZN Regional Land Claims Commissioner. • The Ixopo communities have requested an Imbizo with all other relevant stakeholders such Hans Merensky, SAPPI, Department of Agriculture, Ingonyama Trust, Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, Department of Water and Sanitation and DAFF to address other issues outside the Bill. • The Department is in a process of arranging such an Imbizo to be held during the first quarter of the 2018/19 financial year.
WAY FORWARD Request the PC to coordinate meeting of PCs on Environmental Affairs; Water and Sanitation; Rural Development and Land Reform; Labour; Public Enterprises and Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs to address cross-cutting issues emanating from public consultations. Recommend inter-ministerial coordination on cross-cutting issues. DAFF to track and advise on progress made on issues raised through the Commercial Liaison Forum (multi-stakeholder forum – industry and government)
