FSA is delighted to report that the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) relating to forest protection between FSA and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has been signed into power. After five years of continuous and active engagement with the DFFE, the process was concluded in the short space of one month thanks to the services and interventions of Mohammed Bhabha of the PPGI, with the assistance of Sabelo Malaza from the Masterplan Programme Management Office in DFFE and Director-General Tshabala.

The MoA secures R9million a year for two years. While long overdue, this partnership with DFFE will add greatly to our efforts to protect our timber resources against pests and diseases, conduct desperately needed research and development, build our human capacity in this crucial area and encourage ongoing investment by our Sector.