N E W S & V I E W S • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 23 The catastrophic mill fire at NCT’s Richards Bay was a major blow for the South African Wattle Industry. NCT members in the Eastern Cape seized the opportunity to utilise wattle bark commercially to improve cash-flow and use resources better. Traditionally and historically, the bark would be discarded and forms part of the harvesting residue with no preospect of selling it. With the support of NCT and NTE, Eastern Cape growers are now supplying stick bark as means of revenuegeneration for their forest enterprises. While multiple challenges associated with the transportation of forest raw material (timber and wattle bark) from the Eastern Cape province into Kwa-Zulu Natal for primary processing are evergreen, enthusiastic NCT members from the Stutterheim Office have pioneered a tough journey with bravery and success. Covering an average one-way distance of 550 km from the loading site to the bark market, these passionate growers became the first-ever NCT members to deliver wattle stick bark at the NTE Hermannsburg Factory in the 2023/2024 season. Speaking to one of the growers about this milestone, he said he is very pleased to be able to help support the Wattle Bark Industry and is excited about being one of the first wattle Champions of the Eastern Cape deliver black wattle stick bark from the Eastern Cape to NTE’s wattle extract factory in Hermannsburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal growers to deliver stick bark from the province of the Eastern Cape. Bark adds financial value to the cashflow of wattle growers. The NTE Factory was very satisfied with the quality and presentation of stick bark from the Eastern Cape. These growers are certainly trendsetters and what they have achieved stands to mark the beginning of a promising future for the wattle development in the province. It is expected that more and more members are likely to be attracted and inspired by the champions of the Eastern Cape. Forestry is a long-term investment and what cannot be ignored is that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. With positive cashflow benefits realised by members, there is a strong intention to convert self-seeded wattle plantations into managed stands which will provide better harvest yields and subsequent improved profits for the growers The province of the Eastern Cape is a greenfield opportunity that is appropriate to attract forestry investments. Land is an abundant natural resource and economic opportunities are very limited for locals. Both NCT and NTE representatives believe that large-scale forestry development in the province is long-overdue. Well presented load leaving Komga for NTE. How to bundle prepare and tie bark. Team showcasing a properly prepared bundle. Good quality mature bark. – Lwazi Ngqwebo (NCT) and Ezia Mapipa (NTE)
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