Formation and History

SAFCA was inaugurated on 13 October 1989 as a national organisation to represent and assist forestry contractors and forward their interests in the commercial forestry industry. The inauguration took place at Kaapsehoop, Mpumalanga and SAFCA was formed with 9 initial members.

The organization was formed to further the common purpose of forestry contractors, without infringing on contractor competitive position or serving individual interests.

Various services like a Legal Aid, Central Buying, Public Liability insurance, Quality Audits, Training facilitation and Capacity Development, Short-Term insurance, Costing model development, forestry-technical advice and representation on various industry forums were part of the SAFCA services. Over the years and from experience SAFCA retained the services of insurance, capacity development, forestry-technical advice & costing, training facilitation and capacity development and representation on different forums (universities, Forestry Charter Council, SETA).

SAFCA Functions and Member Service

Association: An Association of members associate for some common reason.

Contractors are in competition with each other however, there are also aspects such as legal, insurance, labour, political (statutory) and training & development aspects where they do have a common interest that can be addressed through an association (Group Representation).

South African Forestry Contractors Association (SAFCA) is an organization that represents and advocates for the interests of forestry contractors in South Africa. SAFCA works to promote the sustainable development of the forestry sector, provides support and resources to its members who are involved in various aspects of forestry operations such as: tree felling, reforestation, timber harvesting, and related services.

The association acts as a voice for the forestry contractor community and works towards enhancing their professional standards, safety practices and overall industry recognition.

Representing Contractors and working together with:

1. Forestry South Africa on various matters like human resources, wage determination and other legislative statutory issues.
2. Addressing common issues in the industry affecting members.
3. Forest Sector Charter Council (FSCC) to attend to B-BBEE matters and contractor codes of good practice.
4. Insurance companies to mitigate the risk of contractors for the use of equipment as well as Spread of Fire Risk insurance with the extensions of fire and pollution.
5. Academic institutions for the placement of forestry students with contractors for work integrated learning and internships.

1. Technical advice on:
   • Forest Engineering
   • Silviculture
   • Transportation of round wood.
2.  Business and Administrative services:
   • Costing models (available and assisting with use) for Harvesting, Silviculture, Pitting and Planting.
3.  Facilitation of Group Spread of Fire Risk cover schemes (General PL) that is extended to cover spread of fire and pollution.
4. Representation at various forums including:
   • FSA HR Committee
   • Forest Sector Charter Council (FSCC)
   • Nelson Mandela University (Forestry Advisory Board)
   • Stellenbosch University (Forestry Advisory Board)
   • S. Cape Forum for development (to replant exit areas)
5.  Ad hoc Group representation.