NCT's process to accelerate empowerment among its black members began in the 1980s with a major focus in the 1990s. For over 20 years, the Co-operative has been developing black members through the transfer of skills in all forestry facets which include management, technical, silviculture, harvesting and transport just to name a few.

NCT's first black members joined in 1986. Since then, numbers have grown from 10 to 509. This currently makes up 26% of NCT's total membership. Although NCT's black member base only controls some 12 000ha of land against a total of approximately 300 000ha owned by all of NCT's members, they have contributed to 19% of NCT's total pulpwood sales in the 2005/6 financial year.

NCT therefore strives to strike the balance between running a successful business and providing sustainable opportunities for historically disadvantaged South Africans.

There are two black directors on the NCT Board. They represent black grower constituencies in Richards Bay and the KZN midlands and play a pivotal role in ensuring that the Co-operative's black member base is represented in all decision-making processes. Any concerns or issues raised by this group of members are considered when these decisions are taken. One of the directors serves on the Boards of associate companies (ShinCel* and Mpande**).

NCT has also made special staff appointments to ensure excellent service delivery to this group of members. Understanding the black members' culture and social background has been a key factor for these appointments.

A new Development Services Department has been formed within NCT's management structure to add value to the Co-operative through the development of its black members. The Development Services Manager together with Development Co-ordinators addresses Black members' concerns and ensures that members also understand the operations of the business and the industry.

Black members share the same benefits as their white counterparts. They form an integral part of NCT and benefit directly as shareholders and part owners of the Co-operative. Their contribution to the overall performance of the Co-operative has been modest but significant over the past four years.

The benefits the Co-operative offers its Black members, among others, are:

• Access to international and local markets.
• Access to land through NCT's facilitation role with government departments.
• Access to credit facilities where NCT handles all the risk.
• Training and the transfer of skills through field days and publications.
• The formation of mini-co-operatives where required.

There is also a growing interest among Black members to become FSC-certified. As a result, NCT conducted a world pilot study on FSC certification of growers in tribal authority land under FSC's Small & Low Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMF). Acceptance of the farming methods of small growers in South Africa is still under discussion with FSC International.

Many NCT members from the white community have also implemented empowerment programmes in their business plans. For example, two hundred farm labourers in Melmoth, Zululand, have become 25% shareholders of an 1 157ha timber farm bought for them by an NCT Member.