Timber iQ August - September 2019 // Issue:45 | Page 4
WOOD FOR THOUGHT
Timber’s significance
to South Africa
T
he timber industry plays an important role in South
Africa’s socio-economic framework. From an economic
viewpoint, the industry provides employment to many
people in different sectors. From a social context, we see
that the timber industry is working to be more inclusive for
rural communities to be active players and stakeholders in
the industry.
Unemployment in South Africa has been, and continues to
be, a major problem. It only makes sense for various
industries to try by all means to provide employment
opportunities that will accommodate the skilled, semi-skilled
and unskilled labour force.
Another interesting fact about South Africa’s timber
industry is its historical roots. Timber farming has been
taking place for many years and dates as far back as the 16th
century. It is safe to say that South Africa has gained a lot of
experience when it comes to the timber industry. This does
not mean that we have it all figured out because the industry
still has many challenges that still need to be addressed. But,
through collaboration and putting ideas together, the
industry can come up with solutions to get around these
challenges.
In this issue, we find out about small-scale timber
operations and what challenges they face and how they
navigate around them. We also speak to Herman van Boom
from Learn to Earn where he tells us about how to earn a
living in the timber industry. Our featured project for this
issue is the Bloomberg headquarters in London. We also
profile Riaan Huiskens, who walked away with the Corobrik
Architectural Student of the Year Award for 2019. He tells us
about the role and significance of architecture in creating
buildings that utilise space effectively and look beautiful at
the same time.
As always, your feedback as readers is very important to
us, so please feel free to send through your thoughts,
suggestions and critique.
Happy reading and enjoy!
Dineo Phoshoko
Staff writer
PV - KSA 2019.pdf 2 2018/11/15 14:52:32
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