A Forestry Support Programme, which was initiated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment and the Working on Fire Programme through the Expanded Public Works Programme, was launched on 01 December 2019 to maintain, upgrade and improve all the existing government plantations in four provinces. These four provinces include the Southern and Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga.
This Forestry Support Programme will stretch over a few years to ensure land is managed up to the highest standards. According to Johan Heine, Chairperson of the Working on Fire Board, who was part of the initiation process, states that 530 new jobs were created where they recruited people from local communities in these provinces. “They have undergone similar training to those of the firefighters, with additional forestry management training over a 21 day period.” Johan stated how proud he was of these forestry workers, as they were all upskilled and employed to assist government, for the greater good of appropriate land management.
He continued by saying that it was an honour to work with Dr. Guy Preston and Susan Leseke, both from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment who initiated this with him. “Our goal is to upgrade and improve these plantations and we are well ahead in executing this successfully. They will, through the various Fire Protection Associations, be working closely with the neighboring land owners and corporates such as Sappi, Mondi, York Timbers and other forestry operators to comply to the Forestry Act in terms of land and fire management.”
This Project will be therefore be administered and executed by the Provincial Fire Protection Associations (FPAs) in these provinces, the Southern Cape FPA, Cape Peninsula FPA, Eastern Cape Umbrella FPA, Lowveld Escarpment FPA (LEFPA) and a private forestry contractor in Natal.
On Friday, 15 May, Kishugu Fleet Solutions handed over nine vehicles towards this Programme. Kishugu Fleet Solutions did vehicle modifications according to the client’s needs and equipped it with firefighting skid units (bakkie sakkies). Kishugu Fleet Solutions will manage these vehicles through real time fleet management solutions, utilising on-board event cameras and tracking, fuel card expense management, in-depth accident investigations, and vehicle maintenance and service.
Coenie Lamprecht, CEO of Kishugu Fleet Solutions closed by saying that he is proud to be associated with such a successful programme and that they, together with their overall fleet management to the Working on Fire Programme, continue to deliver excellent service.
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