South Africa's Forestry White Paper calls for radical changes in the approach to forestry, placing emphasis on participatory approaches and inter-sectoral issues. It also calls for a strategic plan to be developed for the Sector which embraces social and conservation, as well as commercial objectives.

In early 1995, the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry requested DFID to assist the development of the South African forestry sector, with particular emphasis on social (rural development) forestry.

The DFID Strategy of Assistance to Forestry in South Africa was endorsed by the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry in February 1996. The Strategy has three main elements, namely:

(i) assistance to the preparation of a National Forestry Programme (NFP).

(ii) support to field-based rural development forestry in two Provinces, Northern Province and Eastern Cape.

(iii) rural development forestry education and training.

Developed capacity within DWAF to undertake consultative strategic planning for the Forestry Sector (commercial, conservation and rural development forestry).

• Broad-based consultative fora established to ensure continual stakeholder participation in development, review and revision of forestry sector policy and strategies.
• Improved understanding of key issues by a broad constituency of stakeholders.
• Effective NFP Co-ordination Unit (CU) established in DWAF.
• Realistic NFP prepared and approved by government.
• Broad public and political approval/support for NFP obtained.
• DWAF restructured in line with NFP recommendations.
• Areas for post project support to DWAF restructured in line with NFP recommendations and on-going restructuring.