Ansen Sibanyoni began his career as a supervisor for Mondi forests at Iswepe in 1996. Today he’s the CEO of the SIBSA Group, one of the biggest silviculture contractors in the KZN midlands.

Philasiphile Contractors is based in Amsterdam, a small Mpumalanga town surrounded by a sea of plantations that stretch beyond the horizon. It’s no surprise that forestry is the cornerstone of the local economy.

New Forestry Solutions (NFS) is an innovative new silviculture contracting business doing planting, maintenenance and fire protection for Mondi in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.

Ikhono Lakho Security is responsible for security at Mondi and SiyaQhubeka Forests’ (SQF) plantations in Nyalazi, Dukuduku and Mtubatuba. These include some of the most unique plantations in the world, and form part of a World Heritage Site where wild buffalo, rhino and elephant roam.

The business was established in 1997 by Harry Nel, who has over 30 years experience in the roofing and civils industry. Harry was recently joined by his son Kelly, who has strengthened the business alongside shareholders Joash Kotiah (General Manager) and Gerard Nortje (Operations Manager).

Even established businesses need assistance and support on occasions in order to negotiate rough patches, recover and go on to reach their full potential. Ask Selwin Swartz, founder of Fabricon, a successful mechanical engineering and civils business, which he launched 20 years ago with nothing but a laptop and a vision.

Fearless entrepreneurs Nkosingiphile and Nombuso Mkhwanazi have built a road maintenance and construction business from the ground up, and now they have taken it to another level with support from Mondi Zimele.

A qualified mechanical fitter, Paul says his early years in the navy taught him about discipline, precision and hard work – values that are the foundation of his dynamic maintenance business.

Michael Ngubane began his career as a forest guard for Mondi in 1986, then progressed to become a silviculture supervisor, gaining valuable experience in forestry operations.

Bhekinkosi Gumede began his career in the forestry industry 35 years ago as a general worker, and worked his way up to store-man and then supervisor. In 2001 he started his own company, Njojo Construction, now a leading silviculture contractor in Zululand.