BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBANGWENI – More than 70 per cent of what Shiselweni Forestry Company (SFC) grows and harvests is beneficiated in Eswatini, according to the company’s Managing Director, Dietmar Schroeder, who said local processing was helping retain skills, economic activity and opportunities within the country.
The SFC Managing Director (MD) made the remarks while proposing the vote of thanks during the Shiselweni Business Dinner held in honour of His Majesty King Mswati III at the Mbangweni Royal Residence on September 17, 2026.
The MD told the King that the company’s contribution went beyond forestry, with the value created from its plantations supporting different parts of the economy and livelihoods connected to the business.
“More than 70 per cent of what SFC grows and harvests is beneficial here in Eswatini,” Schroeder said.
He explained that the company’s approach to beneficiation was centred on ensuring that more economic activity generated from locally grown resources remained within Eswatini.
“That matters because we work, because when more of the work happens here, more of the skills, capability and economic activity remains connected to the country,” said the MD.
According to Schroeder, the company’s operations were helping build technical and manufacturing capabilities while creating employment beyond the forestry sector.
“It builds technical and manufacturing capability. It creates work beyond the forest and it allows one locally grown resource to support very different parts of the economy. from mining, agriculture, to power, to infrastructure, and industry,” he said.
The MD said beneficiation should not only be viewed as timber processing, but as an opportunity to create additional value through people, skills, products, businesses and capabilities.
“For us, beneficiation is not simply about processing timber. It is about taking something grown here and creating more from here, through people, skills, products, business, and capability,” Schroeder said.
The company said there was still further potential to unlock from its plantations and related operations.
“And we believe there is more still to unlock,” the MD said.
He outlined SFC’s direction as strengthening the productive value of its plantations, improving the reliability of timber supply, making effective use of resources, developing higher-value products and markets, and continuing to build capacity across the business.
The company is also diversifying into agriculture, with the MD saying SFC was now involved in maize, sugar beans and beef production as part of efforts to support Eswatini’s national food security.
“We are also actively diversifying into agriculture, specifically maize, sugar beans, and also beef production, to support Eswatini’s national food security,” he said.
At the same time, SFC intends to process as much of the timber grown on its property in Eswatini as possible through its own facilities and neighbouring facilities.
“At the same time, our vision is to process as much as possible the food possible of timber grown on FSC property here in Eswatini through our own and also neighboring facilities,” the MD said.
The company continues to increase volumes processed through its sawmills and pole yards, while recently adding a peeler plant at Peak.
“We continue to increase the volumes processed through our sawmills and pole yards and have recently added a peeler plant at peak,” he said.
The MD said local manufacturing was important because it created value for both the country and communities surrounding the company’s plantations.
“Local manufacturing creates value for the country and the community surrounding our plantations and it keeps more active skills and opportunity here in Eswatini,” the MD said.
The company’s contribution also extends to livelihoods, with the MD revealing that the livelihoods connected to SFC, SORCO and STTP reach more than 6,000 people.
“I want to recognize the men and women across SFC, SORCO, STTP, who make this business work every day. They plant, protect, they harvest and process, they maintain, plan, solve problems, and keep the work moving,” the MD said.
The MD said much of the work carried out by employees happened quietly and consistently, often under demanding conditions and long before the results became visible.
“Much of what they do happens quietly and consistently, often in demanding conditions and long before anyone sees the results. The livelihoods connected to this work reaches more than 6,000 people,” the MD said.
The MD said the livelihoods supported by the business represented more than employment numbers, as they were connected to families, homes, skills development and experience.
“Behind those livelihoods are families and homes. skills being built experience being gained and people working towards a future of their own that is something we should never lose sight of,” the MD said.
The remarks were delivered during a business dinner attended by His Majesty King Mswati III and other senior leaders, business stakeholders and distinguished guests.
The MD described the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the interests shared across the Shiselweni business community and to recognise the contribution of those involved in making the event possible.
The MD said the business dinner was also a reflection of unity, culture and respect for the monarchy, while acknowledging the collaboration and goodwill that contributed to the event.
The company’s emphasis on beneficiation, local manufacturing, agricultural diversification and employment places SFC’s operations within the wider economic development conversation in Shiselweni.
The MD concluded by stressing that the company’s objective was not merely to expand production, but to increase the value derived from resources produced locally.
“The aim is not simply to grow more, it’s to create more value from what we grow,” the MD said.
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