Sheona E. Shackleton and Charlie M. Shackleton 211(Pterocarpus angolensis)Harvesting procedure
P. angolensis is a protected species (through various provincial laws and
ordinances) and effectively state property. It must not be harvested without a
permit. Trading in raw wood is prohibited, and in the former Gazankulu and
Lebowa only local producers had legal access to wood. A variety of institutional
mechanisms and processes apply to the harvesting of protected species in
different parts of the country. In Bushbuckridge the system legislated under
the Gazankulu Nature Conservation Act is essentially still in place, although
this may change as the authorities amalgamate and develop new conservation
legislation under the new provincial structures.
Previously, to access P. angolensis, producers required a licence that permitted
them to practice (Shackleton, S.E. 1993). The permit was acquired through a
fairly complex process involving tribal authorities, the local magistrate and the
(former) Gazankulu Department of Finance. The licence made the holder eligible
to harvest wood. Woodworkers without licences either harvested illegally,
obtained a temporary permit or solicited wood from a licensed individual. This
licensing system was rescinded following the incorporation of Gazankulu into
Limpopo Province, easing the situation for those producers without licences
and removing a significant barrier of entry to the trade.
Unlike the licensing system, the steps to obtain wood have changed little.
The woodworker selects two to five trees within the communal lands. On
felling, the trees are measured by the local ranger, who accompanies the
producer on his harvesting trip, and the amount owed calculated (at R6 per
running metre). The sum of about R250 to R400 per harvesting trip is paid in
cash and a receipt issued. The stumps and logs are stamped to denote the
legality of the harvest. The revenue is banked by the provincial Department
of Agriculture and Environment (Tsweni personal communication).12SAwoodcarving.p65 211 22/12/2004, 11:05