Forest Products, Livelihoods and Conservation

Sheona E. Shackleton and Charlie M. Shackleton 217

with little outside support. The weakness lies in the many missed opportunities

for growth and development of the local industry because of failure to co-operate

and make use of the considerable collective potential that exists. The last decade,

however, has seen the formation of a number of producer organisations, of varying

effectiveness, in the area.

The Mhala Woodworkers Association (MWA) was formed in 1993 (Shackleton,

S.E. 1993). Its aims were to increase marketing opportunities, access external

support, secure wood by collective means, and enhance co-operation between

woodworkers. Since then, three woodworkers’ associations within the broader

region—the Nyongane, Mhala and Lubambiswano associations—amalgamated to

form the Skukuza Alliance in 1997. This move was facilitated by the South African

National Parks and is primarily market orientated, providing producers with covered

markets adjacent to two of the entrance gates to KNP.

The MWA is relatively inactive although its existence has been important in

securing donor funding and allowing carvers to participate in the Skukuza Alliance.

One of the factors limiting the effectiveness of the MWA is the wide spatial dispersion

of home producers who have neither time nor money to get together. Many

members also favour operating on their own and demonstrate reluctance to share

potential business opportunities.

The Skukuza Alliance is a formal organisation that has been effective in opening

up marketing opportunities but has also had its share of organisational difficulties

and conflict (abuse of positions of power, unaccounted expenditures, micropolitics

etc.). Bushbuckridge carvers have reservations about aspects of its functioning

and feel neglected in favour of the roadside carver-vendors. It is ironic that a lack

of organisational capacity and co-operation should limit development and progress,

but at the same time the formation of new organisations inevitably increases

conflict and competition and leads to discord and a lack of trust between producers.

The woodcarvers in the former Lebowa area of Bushbuckridge formed their

own association, which doubled as a lending club. This organisation ran into

problems, however, when lenders failed to repay their loans and is currently

dysfunctional.

TRADE AND MARKETS

Marketing

Most marketing is carried out by producers themselves on an individual basis

(Figure 2). The road network in Bushbuckridge is fairly well developed and the

majority of households are within easy walking distance (2 km) of a road and taxi

route. Carvers make one or two selling trips per month, and furniture makers one

every two months. For carvers, most markets are between one hour (Kruger Gate

of KNP) and three hours (Pilgrim’s Rest) away. Producers may take a day to visit all

the main selling points (some 90 outlets). Furniture makers generally drive up to

Gauteng (500 km), and usually stay there for a week or more selling at the roadside.

Carvers usually travel by minibus taxi whilst furniture makers hire a small pick-up

truck. The average cost to market goods is approximately R90 per month for

carvers and as much as R2,000 per trip for furniture makers.

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