Making an impact
by driving shared value
What it's about
The Sappi Trails programme was initiated in 2011, to formalise the relationship between Sappi and stakeholders who were using Sappi land for mountain biking, walking and running. The growth of the Sappi Trails programme has resulted in a world-class network of trails in the Karkloof and Howick area in KwaZulu-Natal. Extensive and exciting trail networks have also been established at both Mankele Bike Park and Tranquilitas Adventure Farm in Mpumalanga.
Trail custodians (the clubs that build and maintain the trails on Sappi land) communicate with the general public who want to use the trails, which means that a safe and enjoyable trail experience has become a highly valuable feature in many areas.
Key developments
Tourism businesses around the trails have benefitted. Among these is Nguni Trails, a small black-owned business that is part of the Adventure Tourism Incubator, a pilot project in which Sappi is a partner, aimed at creating an effective model for skills and enterprise development. Nguni Trails performs fulltime trail building and maintenance of the Karkloof and Howick trail networks on Sappi land.
Phase 1
Risk management
Event & recreational
mountain biking
Risk management plan designed & implemented, against international standards with insurance policies in place
Phase 2
Marketing & branding
Streamlining to Sappi
business objective
Signage, media, sponsorship, branding, PR, monitoring, measurement and evaluation
Phase 3
Sustainability & LED
Broadening social &
economic impacts & benefits
Growth of trail running, shift to recreational trail systems over events, recognition of Sappi’s role in this shift and growth
Phase 4
Creating shared value
Legacy projects &
independence of clubs
Sustainable Development Goals, the Circular Economy, Adventure Tourism Incubator, Club operational independence