Hunger
Hunger
Plan to Take Over Grants Payments
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is gearing itself to take over the payment of social grants when the five-year contract worth R10 billion it awarded to a security company expires in 2017.
SASSA CEO, Virginia Petersen, says the agency has started the research and design of a new model for paying social grants.
Petersen argues that a key feature of the new model would be the range of options from which beneficiaries can choose how they would like to receive their payments.
To read the article titled, “R10bn tender to streamline social grant payments,” click here.Source:The PostFamine: UN Calls for Continued Assistance
The top United Nations relief official says that international humanitarian support in 2011 in the face of drought and famine in the country succeeded in saving numerous lives in Somalia.
However, Mark Bowden, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, warns that the situation remains fragile, with millions of people in need of continued assistance.
"The call for assistance in July 2011 received a tremendous response and we know that over the last year US$1.3 billion was actually raised for Somalia the majority of which has been spent," he explains.
To read the article titled, “Country requires continued assistance despite gains against famine - UN official,” click here.Source:All AfricaFAO to Eradicate Hunger Globally
The new director general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), José Graziano da Silva, has indicated that Africa will be his priority at a time of limited resources.
Graziano da Silva, who played an important role in Brazil's successful ‘zero hunger’ initiative, argued the key to improving food security in Africa is the political will to eradicate hunger, which could in turn be translated into action through financial resources, research and good practice.
Graziano da Silva stated that many of the poor countries in Africa have no facility of going to the donors, adding that, “The FAO will be there to support those countries to achieve the desired results."
To read the article titled, "New FAO Chief moves on global eradication of hunger," click here.Source:Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)Global Donors Plot Ways to Spend Aid Billions
Major global aid donors are holding the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, a meeting aimed at coordinating efforts to lift millions out of poverty and bring influential new donors such as China on board, in Busan, South Korea.
The second day of the meeting, which is attended by policymakers and private experts from 160 nations, will see the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, taking part.
Clinton is expected to urge emerging powers such as China to ensure standards for foreign assistance.
To read the article titled, “Global donors plot better ways to spend aid billions,” click here.Source:The CitizenSocial Grants Not Sustainable – Zuma
President Jacob Zuma has warned that government cannot afford to ‘indefinitely’ pay social grants to people who are not elderly and who have no physical defects.
Speaking at a business question-and-answer session in Cape Town this week, Zuma also urged the South African taxpayers to focus on developing the country rather than on feeding the poor.
He argued that South Africa had to develop programmes to reach a stage where it reduced the number of people who received social grants and balanced it with those who were taxpayers.
“We cannot be a welfare state,” he explained Zuma.
To read the article titled, “Social grants can’t be sustained: Zuma,” click here.Source:City PressZimbabweans Face Hunger – WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) says more than a million Zimbabweans need food aid and is appealing for US$42 million in donor funding.
In a press statement issued in Harare, the WFP states that families are already skipping meals during the ‘lean season’ expected to end with the March harvest.
It says that poor families, especially households with orphans and vulnerable children, can't afford much of the food that is available, adding that most of that food is imported.
To read the article titled, “At least 1 million Zimbabweans facing hunger: UN,” click here.Source:Times LiveCall for Vision 2030 to Start ‘Now’
The Minister in the Presidency, Trevor Manuel, says that it is necessary to immediately start addressing the contents outlined in the National Development Plan 2030 document and not wait until the targeted year.
Addressing a business breakfast in Johannesburg, Manuel, who is also chairperson of the National Planning Commission, pointed out that it is also important to recognise while we talking of vision 2030, it is not deferring decisions to 2030.
He added that, “...if we can't transform education in the course of next five years, then we will have more and more unemployed people."
To read the article titled, “Vision 2030 starts now – Manuel,” click here.Source:SABC NewsWorld Vision Sow the Seeds of Success in Umzimvubu
Started in 1998 by the Damane family in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, the Ntantaise Food Security Project has now grown into a community garden project, with close to 30 members. Through World Vision’s intervention, the 52 hectare land project has become a significant source of food and income for community members, who would not otherwise be able to produce their own food. A sentiment recently echoed by the Department of Agriculture during a flea market, where the project was awarded for its excellent vegetable produce.
Depending on season, some of the garden fresh produce includes turnips, cabbages, beans, pumpkin, beetroot, etc. The community members who work in the garden acknowledge the positive difference the garden has brought in the area. “Gardening involves physical activity so it helps both elderly and young improve their physical fitness and this decreases susceptibility to illnesses and overall reduces the burden on the health care system, which in any case is almost non-existent in our location”, noted a community member. Studies show the following health benefits to be associated with involvement in community gardening: strengthened immunity, reduced rates of asthma, decreased stress, increased overall sense of well-being and reduced risk of childhood lead poisoning.
As a child-focused organisation, World Vision, through Umzimvubu Area Development Programme (ADP), has boosted the project to ensure it becomes a success. To meet the challenge of water scarcity in this dry area, World Vision purchased a much needed water pump machine (at a cost of more than R30 000) and provided garden tools and seeds to the project.
Recently, the community garden members walked away with a trophy during a provincial flea market, awarded as number one vegetable producers exhibiting. “The flea market was a breakthrough for us, we came back with a good profit from selling the vegetables on the flea market and made contacts with some decision-makers in the retail sector”, said one of the project founders, Nokuzola Damane. Women who work in the garden do not get paid, but they are able to provide a healthy plate of food for their families.
The children join their parents in the garden after school, a practice encouraged by World Vision. “Researchers will tell you that learning to grow plants is mentally stimulating and adds to the children’s wealth of knowledge and expertise. It also teaches them to think sustainability and use of long-term problem-solving skills rather than relying on quick-fix, short-term solutions”, said Umzimvubu ADP manager, James Mboto.
The project has become more of a community building initiative as it has increased the sense of ownership, stewardship, fostering the development of community identity and spirit.
- Olwetu Gwanya is the communications officer at World Vision South Africa.Author(s):Olwetu GwanyaNew Malemas Will Emerge - SAIRR
The South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) says that it would be a mistake to see the suspension of African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema as the end of political radicalism.
SAIRR spokesperson, Catherine Schulze, points out that, "Inevitably, if the country is not able to sustain significantly higher levels of economic growth, new Malemas will come to the fore either inside or outside the ANC."
Schulze states that a country with South Africa's inequalities will always be a breeding ground for political radicalism, adding that SAIRR believed the ruling against Malema was ‘unusually harsh’.
To read the article titled, “New Malemas will come: SAIRR,” click here.Source:Times LiveNamibian CSO to Hold Land Indaba
CSOs will jointly host a land workshop to review the current status of Namibia's land reform process, which they have criticised as slow and riddled with inconsistencies and allegations of corruption and favouritism.
Uhuru Dempers of Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Republic of Namibia's Desk for Social Development (DfSD) says the conference will come up with an action plan which Government and specifically the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement will be expected to act upon.
The organisations question the criteria and management of the two programmes, criticising the process as not pro-poor anymore, and not having the desired impact of poverty alleviation.
To read the article titled, “Civil society to hold land indaba,” click here.Source:All Africa
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Vacancies
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09/02/2012
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Events
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Monday, February 13, 2012
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Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Opportunities
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10/02/2012
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