Umsonti NPC grew out of the work of founder members Peter Nixon and Themba Radebe. Peter and Themba began working with rural communities in the Umzimkhulu area of Southern KwaZulu Natal in the mid 1990s through their consultancy company Rural Forest Management (RFM). Interested communities with land suitable for commercial forestry were assisted by RFM to form legal entities, draw up forestry development plans and secure development finance.

The first trees were planted in 2000. Of the initial three communities that received support, Mabandla and Zintwala successfully established timber plantations and began harvesting in 2008. The businesses are run on commercial principles and are self-sustaining, covering all operational costs including support services. Profits are re-invested in new businesses, education and training and other community development priorities.

Based on these early successes and looking to extend their unique forestry partnership model to other marginalised rural communities in areas of high forestry potential, Peter and Themba joined forces with other like-minded forestry professionals to form a Not for Profit Company Umsonti in 2012.

Umsonti services and support 

• Support for the development of new forestry and associated businesses
• Technical and business advice to optimise enterprise profits and sustainability
• Institutional development and support (Business entities and Community Trusts)
• Access to development finance
• Building local capacity for operational and financial management and accountability through access to mentorship, further education and training
• Strategic guidance and support to develop downstream timber processing capability and other community-owned businesses

Directors

The Umsonti Directors bring a wide range of expertise and their considerable experience to the organisation