Forestry project, George
This job creation project involves teams operating in the forest outside of George, removing alien wattle, chopping and debarking logs and selling them for the production of paper. Thus far, the scheme has created 120 sustainable jobs, encouraged and educated entrepreneurial talent in the community, and created the potential to reverse serious ecological damage wrought by alien vegetation. BP’s investment entails the creation of a central processing point. A building in nearby Pacaltsdorp has been refurbished as a Business Centre and it will be equipped with a training room, an in-house screenprinting facility, an equipment room, a toys and funiture manufacturing section, as well as a coal plant with braai-pack facilities.
Phase one began in April 1999 when 12 teams of ten men contracted with local farmers (some of which are exisitng BP customers) to cut down and remove alien vegetation. Through the South Cape Business Centre they are able to sell the logs to Sappi.
