Bulembu Ministries Swaziland bought the whole landholding of the Havelock mine company in 2006. Part of the landholding, surrounding the mining town of Havelock, was a tree plantation area of just under 1000 hectares, as well as natural areas of approximately 500 hectares.
In order to utilise the timber from the plantation, Bulembu’s first macro-enterprise, Bulembu Timber was launched in the spring of 2006. A sawmill was laid out on the site of an old power generation station next to the Mkhomazane river, which marks the northern and eastern boundary of the landholding. This sawmill cut some of the larger logs that came from the plantation into cants and planks for various markets. Bulembu Ministries managed the sawmill in the beginning years, but due to the focus on the children’s care and -homes the plantation and sawmill were later leased out to other parties. The plantation and sawmilling leases ended in late 2019. After the end of the leases, Bulembu continued managing the plantation and have recently started an essential oil project, converting part of the plantation into different species for oil production.
The rest of the plantation area is still managed as a timber plantation, with specific focus on producing timber for local Swazi markets, matching of the correct species to a site and clearing of plantation portions that should be converted back into natural areas. Plantation products currently include building and fencing poles, mining timber, sawlogs and pulp. A hardwood charcoal trial had also been undertaken. For product and sales information please contact Stephan Olivier on stephan@bulembu.org or +268 7602 7868.
