Land claims and indigenous people

Land reform in South Africa is an issue on which we are concentrating a great deal of effort, with two major areas of focus: to protect our sources of sustainable fibre; and to ensure we operate in the ethical manner to which we are committed.

We are committed to playing a positive role in meeting the land reform targets that have been set for the country and the forestry industry. Currently some 48% of Mondi land is under claim. We are working closely with communities in an attempt to gain an understanding of their needs and aspirations for using the land in future.

For us, the challenge is not simply as to whether we reach a settlement; it is how we best do so with fairness and equity. While we favour particular approaches such as leaseback and joint ventures, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ model of restitution. For example, while some claimants see the land as the foundation of future business activities, others see the situation as an opportunity to move to a more urban environment.

So while we are helping many emerging timber growers develop their business to the standards we require of our suppliers, we are also providing others with alternative places to live, such as in the Mkhondo Community Resettlement Project.

It is commercially vital to us that our sources of fibre are both assured and sustainably managed into the future, not least retaining their all-important FSC certification.

We are closely involved in a number of community-enablement projects and initiatives, such as at Kranskop, where we are helping two landclaim groups develop the skills they need to become our business partners with an assured source of business for many years to come.

This is an important element of our active role in helping new landowners build the capacity, infrastructure and understanding they need to succeed in a transformed social and business environment.

Last change: 21/05/2008