A magazine of the UN in South Africa Vol 1, Issue No. 2, June 2018

NEW HEAD OF UN IN SOUTH AFRICA Nardos Bekele-Thomas UN Games 2018: UN food agency Education: South Africa plays warns of rising Leaving no host food insecurity child behind InFocus 1 A magazine of the UN in South Africa CONTENTS 13 Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital underscores the importance of partnerships

“If the world was equal and we were to build a health facility 6 for our children, what would it look like?” Refugee agency launches a new home- grown solution to Africa’s refugee crisis interview in this issue... 4 Nardos Bekele-Thomas - The new United Nations Resident 7 Two million more South Africans to be initiated on HIV Coordinator in South Africa treatment by 2020 8 Early grade reading study helps to end the cycle of poverty 9 Industry 4.0 unpacked at a national dialogue 10 Companies should be advocates and investors in gender equality 11 Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impact A magazine of the UN in South Africa 12 UN agency warns of rising food insecurity in Southern Africa Volume 1. Issue 02. | June 2018 14 The social and solidarity economy: developing a policy to promote social and economic change Publisher Nardos Bekele-Thomas 15 Visiting Swedish minister stresses the value of sexuality education UN Resident Coordinator 18 Leaving no child behind through care and support for teaching and learning Editorial Team UNIC Pretoria 19 “Keep on rising”, officials urge young women and girls 20 Special envoy commends South Africa for generously hosting Somali refugees Editorial Advisory Board Zeenat Abdool (UNIC) 21 Making reading the passport to success Markku Aikomus (UNHCR) 22 Youth Champions in Action: Monitoring the implementation of the Ethel Maringa (RCO) Sustainable Development Goals in Africa Ziyanda Ngoma (UNFPA) Sudeshan Reddy (UNICEF) 23 Partners display the fruits of joint projects at the Africa Energy Masimba Tafirenyika (UNIC) Indaba 24 UN Youth Envoy engages UN staff in South Africa Contacts: The Editor, UNIC Pretoria 25 Lawmakers commit to use the power of science, technology and P.O. Box 12677, Tramshed, Pretoria, 0126 innovation Tel: +27-12-354-8506; Fax: +27-12-354-8501 26 World Health Organization helps scale up South Africa’s response Email: [email protected] to listeriosis outbreak Website: www.un.org.za/magazine/current- issue 27 Techno girl: making opportunities possible 27 Cancer Awareness Campaign InFocus is published in English by the United Nations in South Africa. Its contents do not 28 Cape Town water taps running dry: city averts water crisis - for now necessarily reflect the views of the United 30 Staff profiles Nations. Articles from this magazine may be freely reprinted. Copyrighted photos may not 31 UN Games unite staff: South Africa to host the 2018 Africa UN be reproduced. Games InFocus 2 A magazine of the UN in South Africa EDITORIAL NOTE

elcome to our second edition of InFocus, an online magazine of the United Nations system in South Africa. In this issue, the new UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, shares her perspectives on the work of the Worganization and her vision for South Africa. Ms. Bekele-Thomas is also the UN Humanitarian Coordinator and the Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in this country.

As with the previous edition, you will find in this issue a mix of stories covering a wide variety of some of the UN’s activities in this country: ranging from stories with a human interest to stories on projects and activities by various agencies.

Our readers will discover how UNICEF is working with schools in rural communities to improve the quality of education with amazing results. The Food and Agriculture Organization is warning of the rising threat to food security in Southern Africa as a result of the ongoing drought, while UNDP continues to monitor the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals and the impact of climate change in the region. The World Health Organization gives advice and updates on listeriosis, which is currently affecting South Africa as it experiences the world’s worst outbreak of listeriosis, an infection caused by food poisoning.

These and many other UN stories in this issue focused on Sustainable Development Goals, provide a synopsis of the ongoing work of the UN in partnership with the government and other organizations. We hope they will help you to at least get an idea of the contribution the UN is making in assisting South Africa implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

As always, we welcome your feedback on this and future issues.

InFocus 3 A magazine of the UN in South Africa INTERVIEW Nardos Bekele-Thomas UN Resident Coordinator - South Africa

The new United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) in South Africa, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, assumed office in Pretoria at the beginning of February. She is also the UN Humanitarian Coordinator and the Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). She has held similar positions in Kenya and Benin and has worked in several countries including at UN Headquarters in New York. She recently sat down with InFocus’ Masimba Tafirenyika to talk about the experiences she brings to South Africa and her vision for the country. Here are the excerpts from the interview:

nFocus: What was your reaction when you first learned hope among South Africans. The transition was also a very that you’ve been appointed as the new RC for South good sign for the UN. We saw opportunities to work with Africa? the local and national governments, to support them and to I help them meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Nardos Bekele-Thomas: South Africa was on my radar all the and also realize, to some extent, the promises of leaving no time. I applied for the post of Resident Coordinator. I had other one behind. opportunities but I really opted to come to South Africa for so many reasons. My name went through several clearances, What would you consider as the priorities for the UN system including with the Interagency Appointing Committee. After here in SA? I was cleared by the committee and the Secretary-General approved the appointment, I was really delighted. It was like The number one challenge facing South Africa is income a dream come true. inequality. As you know, the Gini co-efficient for South Africa is the highest in the world; South Africa is the most unequal Could you share with our readers what exactly is the role of country globally. Yes, it is true the country is young. It is just 24 the RC? years old but still we need to do something about inequality. We need to move on all the historically marginalized entities The role of the UN Resident Coordinator is becoming much and people. Also, the whole economic situation is not very more important than what it used to be before the new encouraging. To solve inequality, we need to make sure the development agenda reform, but also given the fact that UN country maintains and sustains economic growth that is resources are really dwindling down and we are expected to strong enough to address all its social ills. It is encouraging be more efficient and effective. This can only be done if we coordinate all our activities and deliver as one. Therefore, to note that youth unemployment is on the agenda of the the responsibility of the RC is more on how to coordinate newly-elected President Cyril Ramaphosa as he clearly the operational activities of the UN systems—at least 17 articulated in his State of the Nation Address [SONA]. UN entities here in South Africa—so that we can deliver Youth unemployment and inequality are critical issues that results for South Africa in a very effective and efficient require strong economic growth. We can only resolve youth manner, respond to the needs of the country and support unemployment and inequality if we create opportunities for the government to do the same. young people to participate in the economic transformation of this country. And these are the things that we can do as You arrived here in the middle of a political leadership the UN together while addressing all the other critical issues transition. What were your first impressions of South Africa? such HIV and access to health care and education.

It was a real roller coaster. I arrived here with a letter addressed You have been the RC in Kenya and Benin in the past. to President Jacob Zuma. I realized then that there was From what you know about the South African development uncertainty over his resignation which eventually culminated environment, how different are its challenges from other in exactly that. I also experienced the hope and dwindling of African countries?

InFocus 4 A magazine of the UN in South Africa It is very different in two aspects. First, from what I have seen people can be happy with just basic needs. The whole idea and read since I arrived, inequality is more visible here than of happiness emanated from the King of Bhutan. His idea in Benin and Kenya. Second, when we talk about poverty, was for people to be happy with what they have. That’s the poor in this country are really worse off than in Kenya when I realized that material things are not as important as and Benin. This is because when you go in the rural areas of one’s happiness in terms of human development. That’s Benin and Kenya you will see grains, you will see vegetables, how the Bhutanese government introduced the happiness you will see everything in the house. The poverty in most of index, which measures human development in terms of the African countries is monetary poverty; they don’t have people’s happiness. In Comoros, I sat down with people the money to buy other things but they have access to basic on the floor, listening to them and addressing their basic foods. Here, what I see is that people needs. I had different memorable are not in subsistence agriculture. moments in each country. I believe That means if they are not employed We are all a UN the most important thing for us is then there is nothing for them. I was “ to have the capacity to understand surprised to realize that they can family and we people and their cultures and to not rarely afford more than one meal a “ bring or impose our own views. In day. It is a sign of the deep inequality need to have a all these countries, including Kenya in this country. On the other hand, shared vision and Benin, I learned that if you really the paradox is glaring. South Africa is integrate with people, you will have technologically advanced, with well- - Nardos Bekele-Thomas many memories and rewards. I hope established and well-run academic I will be able to make friends here and institutions and very good medical integrate within the society, make a services but catering for a small difference, be part of the society and group of people. not see myself as a foreigner.

Where do you see the country going now in terms of these What is your message as the new RC to UN staff and to the economic challenges that you are talking about over the people of South Africa? next five to 10 years? To UN staff, we are a family. The RC is a UN staff member. We I think there is so much hope. The president has articulated are all a UN family and we need to have a shared vision and his vision as he outlined in the SONA. If the government move together in all our work. We need to listen to and support implements what has been promised, there would be a the national staff because they know the environment and the difference. For us in the UN, we need to move from just culture better and they feel proud of what they are doing to working on upstream policy advisory and go down to the build their country. They can guide us in what we are seeking people. My vision for the UN Country Team is to have to achieve. Ours should be a participatory management and a selection criterion of all the provinces and identify the leadership. That’s what I would like to introduce here and ones that needs assistance the most. We then go there as move with the national staff because this is their country. For one entity, all 17 of us to deliver in that region, work with the UN staff, delivering as one is a very important message provinces to develop improvement plans at a local level I would like to pass. Delivering as one is not only for the UN with the SDGs being at the centre, partner with the private Country Team; it is for the entire staff. Delivering as one is for sector and foundations accordingly, and do this province by the entire UN with the government, the private sector, NGOs province. and the citizens of South Africa.

You have worked both at UN Headquarters in New York and Finally, on a personal level, what are your hobbies? in various other duty stations in Africa. What were your most memorable experience in those situations? I used to be a scuba diver. When I was a student, I used to earn a living doing scuba diving. I remember it during the time Wherever one goes there is always something different and of apartheid because there were so many people from South striking. When I assess my journey in the UN, starting from Africa coming to the Comoros because that was the island New Delhi in India when I was a young woman and travelling they were allowed to visit for scuba diving. I used to do scuba through the entire country, the image I had about India being diving with them without knowing they were from South Africa very poor and racist has all just completely changed. I left because I never expected at that time of apartheid they would India with a lot of affection, admiration and respect for the be so mobile. If I have the time I would really like to do some country. Then I went to Bhutan, which is a small kingdom scuba diving, yoga and meditation. These are the three things country where there was nothing literally. I found out that I normally do in my spare time.

InFocus 5 A magazine of the UN in South Africa UN refugee agency launches a new home-

grown solution to ByAfrica’s Tina Ghelli refugee crisis

UNHCR officially launched the LuQuLuQu campaign in South Africa in November 2017 with High Level Influencers (from left to right) Jason Goliath, Leanne Manas, Ayanda Makayi, Ancillar Mangena, ANATII, Nomzamo Mbatha, Tresor Riziki, and Donovan Goliath - © UNHCR/Kgothatso Manale

he United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goliath; actor Ayanda Makayi; Zimbabwean award-winning has launched a major new campaign that calls journalist and World Economic Forum global shaper, on Africans to take action to solve the continent’s Ancillar Mangena; and Cameroonian musician, Wax Dey. Tworsening refugee crisis. The campaign, called ‘LuQuLuQu’ - is centred on the African philosophy of “Ubuntu” or “Ours is not to take pictures that glamorize the plight of the “Ujamaa” which promotes the principles and values of shared refugees. Ours is to give hope and raise each other up,” responsibility, shared resources, and caring for one another, said Nomzamo Mbatha. “These influencers join twenty inherent to African culture and beliefs. other African celebrities from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Ivory Coast who all pledge to mobilize The campaign asks the hundreds of millions of people on public support for the campaign through strategic public the continent, or connected to Africa, to take ownership engagements and activities, showing South Africans of the refugee and displacement problem through simple what kind of everyday philanthropic actions they can everyday philanthropic actions, to promote self-reliance undertake to be part of the movement, and bring solutions and independence, and in so doing, empower refugees. for refugees,” said Needa Jehu-Mazou, UNHCR’s head of Partnerships for Africa, adding, “Corporates and private The LuQuLuQu campaign is a social movement that seeks enterprises are also invited to take part through new and to create a community of supporters. Its essence is to innovative partnership models.” engage ordinary citizens and corporate organizations to redefine the existing image of Africa’s displacement crisis, “Visiting Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi, I learned the and co-create with the UN refugee agency a new image of definition of hope—it was the truest form of resilience,” the African refugee—one of self-reliance, empowerment said Jason Goliath, pledging to use the voice of Goliath & and inclusion into the mainstream. The LuQuLuQu Tribe Goliath to encourage support for refugees. embraces all of society that seeks to share resources, hospitality and helps to amplify the voices of the Trésor Riziki, a refugee from the Democratic Republic displaced. of the Congo now living in South Africa, thanked the country for taking him in after he was forced to flee from With a goal to change the narrative and conversation the conflict in his country. He urged the crowd to be more around the fate of the displaced in Africa, the aim is to sympathetic to refugees saying, “Don’t break those who demonstrate that Africans can play a transformative role in are already broken.” changing the lives of refugees and the uprooted. There are more than 20 million displaced people in Africa, The LuQuLuQu campaign was launched in South Africa last of whom 78 percent are women and children, out of which November. It was led by a number of High Level Influencers more than half (57 percent) are under the age of 18. So far, (HLIs) including actress Nomzamo Mbatha, South African this year only 35 percent of the critical funding required to Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Morning Live presenter assist refugees in Africa has been received. With increased Leanne Manas, music producer and artist ANATII and displacement crises across the world, funds allocated Congolese refugee and award-winning musician Trésor to Africa have declined. UNHCR seeks to engage South Riziki. Other HLIs included Goliath & Goliath, comprised of Africans to partner in bringing solutions to the displaced in comedians Jason Goliath, Nicholas Goliath and Donovan Africa.

Learn more about the campaign at LuQuLuQu.org and follow the conversation on social media with #DoItLuQuLuQu

InFocus 6 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Two million more South Africans to be put on HIV treatment by 2020

outh Africa—already running the risk reduction counselling and world’s largest HIV treatment This year, we will take prevention strategies and linking programme—is massively “ the next critical steps to people into care.

Sscaling up its response to HIV/AIDS eliminate HIV from our with the pending launch of a multi- Organizers plan to mobilize all sectors midst by scaling up our “ year national health screening, testing testing and treatment of society to raise awareness among and treatment campaign. people about the importance of campaign screening for HIV, TB, diabetes and The National Department of Health hypertension and urgently accessing and the South African National AIDS treatment and care. In February, Council (SANAC) will run the three- an additional 2 million people on SANAC briefed the United Nations year campaign with support from antiretroviral treatment by December Country Team and emphasized the development partners. More than 14 2020,” President Ramaphosa said in need to create demand for screening million South Africans will be tested his State of the Nation address. and testing services. SANAC called and screened for HIV, tuberculosis for support to the government and (TB), diabetes and hypertension in the South Africa has a gap in HIV testing the public health sector, to actively first year alone, and urgently linked to among men and young people participate and support technical treatment and care. and must move more people onto coordination and implementation, treatment for HIV and tuberculosis to including support and technical The campaign will deliver on the meet its Fast-Track targets for 2020. coordination at all levels, from the commitments that President Cyril An additional 400,000 men living with national objectives to facility-based Ramaphosa set out in his State of the HIV need to be diagnosed and linked implementation. Nation speech in February, including to care by 2020 for South Africa to putting an additional two million people reach the first of its 90-90-90 Fast- The campaign will promote disease on HIV treatment by December 2020, Track targets. The latest estimations prevention by emphasizing the scaling up HIV testing and treatment show that South Africa is close to importance and potential of lifestyle and launching a major campaign to achieving the first of the 90-90-90 changes, as well as encouraging confront non-communicable diseases. targets, with almost 90 percent of early diagnosis and treatment. The women and 82 percent of men living expected benefits include seven A year ago, South Africa it launched with HIV knowing their status. For the million people screened being for the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB second target, 55% of women living hypertension and diabetes and linked and Sexually Transmitted Infections with HIV who know their status and to care, two million people initiated on (STIs) 2017‒2022 and it has committed 48% of similar men are accessing antiretroviral treatment, and 80,000 to ambitious health targets, including treatment, and of those women and undiagnosed TB infected persons a plan announced on World AIDS Day men, around 79% have a suppressed identified by December 2020. last year to reduce new HIV infections viral load. to 88,000 or fewer per year by 2020 The campaign will launch in all 52 as part of a national HIV Prevention The National Department of Health districts of South Africa with the Revolution roadmap to deliver on the and SANAC, in consultation with involvement of municipalities and Sustainable Development Goals. UN agencies, the US President’s local leaders and the active support of Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief UN agencies. There will be emphasis “This year, we will take the next (PEPFAR), civil society organizations on 27 high burden districts that will critical steps to eliminate HIV from our and other partners, are supporting receive intensified screening, testing midst. By scaling up our testing and the development of the multi-year and treatment events backed by a treatment campaign, we will initiate campaign. The campaign will include communications campaign.

InFocus 7 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Early grade reading study helps to end poverty By Sudeshan Reddy

long and dusty gravel road limited career opportunities. Teachers and each student’s progress is leads to a series of flat speak of high rates of absenteeism by tracked and ticked off in a notebook. concrete structures that make the children and almost non-existent A glossary is created in which Aup Mogodiri Intermediate School parental monitoring. each student’s vocabulary is also on the outskirts of Ventersdorp in monitored. Spelling tests are held South Africa’s North West Province. What has changed, however, is every Friday. Ms. Tseladimitloa notes: Surrounded by indigenous veld, the that investments are now being “Children need attention and we as school is the only learning institution made into the quality of education teachers need to be able to multitask.” in the surrounding area. Children, received at farm schools and some as young as five, walk up to six similarly under-resourced primary She uses mind map diagrams and kilometres each way per day to get to educational facilities. Mogodiri is one colourful visuals in her classroom the school. There is a school bus but of the schools participating in the to drive home the message that it is not often reliable. Early Grade Reading Study (EGRS) programme with positive results. The So-called farm schools like Mogodiri school and the classrooms look well- have, historically, served some of organized punctuated by the buzz of South Africa’s poorest communities. dynamic students. While the post-apartheid government has made notable strides in reducing In a sunlit classroom with 26 students, rural poverty, these regions still Maria Tseladimitloa, a teacher, begins grapple with high illiteracy rates and her lesson by showing examples of limited job opportunities. The meals phonics in the Setswana language and provided to the children through the having the learners pronounce them. government school’ feeding scheme is She then creates a breakaway group at times their only meal for the day. of six students and conducts a guided reading exercise during which she and Mogodiri (named after a local the students read together. This differs indigenous tree) was built in 1937 to from previous approaches whereby serve the children of farm workers. the teacher would read to the whole More than 80 years later, the life of the class, thus limiting focused attention average worker has not fundamentally and discouraging individual reading. changed and many children remain Reading books are provided by Loynatso Moluabi enjoying his reading - © UNICEF/ trapped in a cycle of poverty with very the Department of Basic Education Hearfield

InFocus 8 A magazine of the UN in South Africa reading is both fun and stimulating. Ms. Tseladimitloa said the EGRS programme has provided much- Industry 4.0 unpacked needed structure and focus for reading lessons, adding, “we did not have a plan before.” She attributes her at a national dialogue success to the training she received through Class Act, an implementing partner supported by UNICEF.

There has been a noticeable improvement in school results when the students sit for the common provincial tests. This is borne out by officials from the Department of Basic Education who, on visits to Mogodiri, have acknowledged the improved reading skills among first to third graders.

At 13 years old, Jeremiah Ngake is From left to right: Industry 4.0 panelists Gerhard Fourie, Janitha Badul, Khaled El Mekwad, Joseph older than any of his classmates. Senona, Valerie Geen, Mauritz Lindeque and Kuda Ndhlukula Difficult circumstances forced him to repeat grade three. Nevertheless, ore and more people the dialogue, UNIDO Representative Ms. Tseladimitloa has noticed are getting to learn and Khaled El Mekwad emphasized the improvements in his reading abilities experience the Internet need to prepare markets for the and confidence levels since his Mof Things (IoT), which is the upcoming change under Industry exposure to the EGRS programme. interconnectedness of electronic 4.0, and for government to take His favourite book is Baking with devices with the internet such the lead in raising awareness and Granny, he shyly says. as mobiles phones, tablets and putting the necessary strategies and other gadgets that “talk” to each regulations in place. Kate Maake, one of the EGRS other. Little do people realize that programme coaches, oversees IoT is but just one part of the During the discussions, there the training and monitoring of the Industry 4.0, the fourth generation was broad consensus that the teachers and visits the schools on of industrial revolution that uses unprecedented change associated average three times per term. When robots, data, automation and cloud with Industry 4.0 would have an asked what keeps her going, she storage to come up with innovative impact on all businesses. While it responded: “I told myself that I need technologies in the industrial and has the potential to be destructive to get these children somewhere, to manufacturing sectors. and disruptive, the switch to Industry help the teachers mould them into 4.0 also offers new and exciting responsible adults.” The coaches It was with these goals in mind opportunities. It was acknowledged train teachers and, sometimes with that the United Nations Industrial that the process should be inclusive, difficulty, encourage them to embrace Development Organization (UNIDO) highlight the importance of system- the new EGRS methodology and recently organized a national routine. wide education and develop the dialogue with more than 100 senior necessary skills. representatives from key South Maryna du Plooy from Class Act African government ministries, Delegates emphasized that the describes the three coaches based in the Southern Africa Development switch to Industry 4.0 ought not to the North West as “relentless in their Community (SADC) and the private leave people behind as a result of commitment and dedication.” For sector. Ms. Du Plooy, the EGRS programme, the digital transformation of industry thanks to UNICEF support, will help The aim of the dialogue, which and exponential technological shape a better future for thousands was held in Johannesburg, was to changes, especially given the South of students. She adds that the discuss the increasing importance African context. A special focus on difference between traditional reading of making use of new, smarter and continuous education, reskilling and instructions and the EGRS programme integrated technologies to produce upskilling was therefore needed to is “the difference between receiving goods and services. In his remarks at ensure the retention of jobs. and producing language.”

InFocus 9 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Companies should be advocates and investors in gender equality By Otae Mkandawire

o mark International Women’s of the UN Global Compact in South Day on 8 March, stock Africa, reflected on the ever-growing exchanges across the world reliance on the corporate sector to Theld ‘ring-the-bell’ ceremonies in provide solutions to global problems recognition of the pivotal role the and develop a private sector that has private sector plays in advancing a purpose. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in achieving Goal “[The private sector] must not just 5 which calls for gender equality please shareholders and make sure our globally by 2030. balance sheets are okay; but we must also make sure we have the social In South Africa, the UN Women South licence to operate rather than just a Africa Multi-Country Office joined legal licence to operate,” she said. Women business leaders officially open the the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Johannesburg Stock Exchange at the Ring the Bell Ceremony - © JSE the UN Global Compact, Women UN Women used the occasion to call in Exchange Traded Funds and on the private sector to accelerate Sustainable Stock Exchanges at the changes in company policies and look back and say we have played fourth Annual Ring the Bell for Gender practices on gender equality by our part,” he said. Equality held in Johannesburg. signing and implementing the Women’s Empowerment Principles. Companies that showcased their Paying tribute to women in factory The principles are a framework work included DeBeers Consolidated lines, production lines, boardrooms developed by the Global Compact Mines represented by its Deputy and stock exchanges across the and UN Women in consultation with CEO, Nompumelelo Zikalala; Motseng world, the keynote speaker, Ipeleng government, the private sector and Investment Holdings represented Mkhari, the founder and chief civil society, to guide businesses on by Ms. Mkhari, and Rand Merchant executive officer (CEO) of Motseng empowering women in the workplace, Bank represented by its Business Investment Holdings, acknowledged marketplace and communities. Development Director Jessica Spira. that ‘opportunity’ was usually what The companies exchanged ideas on set women apart from men, adding Anne Githuku-Shongwe, the UN progress they have made particularly that a gender-insensitive world made Women Representative, pointed out on leadership opportunities for it difficult for women to rise. However, that if all companies were committed women and creating suitable work she challenged women to change to the Women’s Empowerment environments. the business narrative of males as Principles, there would be a clear ‘business heroes’. economic shift as opportunities would The CEO of the Commission for open for women to become part of Gender Equality, Keketso Maema, “It is us as African women that labour, leadership and ownership. spoke about the impact of the must defeat this distortion of our commission’s engagement with the contemporary economic realities,” “We want every [company] to make private sector including the Gender said Ms. Mkhari. gender equality its business,” she Transformation Hearings where leaders emphasized, adding, “Collectively are called to account on progress Following the bell-ringing ceremony, there is no reason why we shouldn’t towards gender transformation, several companies that have made see progress. Let’s make this employment equity quotas, and policy public commitments to accelerate economy work for women.” mechanisms that can be applied to gender equality showcased their gender equality targets. programmes, investments and The CEO of Business Leadership contributions for an equitable South Africa, Bonang Mohale, UN Women will continue to mobilize corporate sector to encourage more encouraged increased engagement companies to sign the Women’s South African companies to do the from men in ensuring an equitable Empowerment Principles by setting same. and transformed economy. “Men targets and monitoring progress must do more to ensure that women while working with the more than 50 Opening the showcase session, take their rightful place in the broader companies that have already signed Nozipho January-Bardill, the chair economic agenda. Only then will we up.

InFocus 10 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impact

ncidents of wildland fires have wildfires and to implement strategies coded flags, multi-lingual pamphlets, increased significantly across to reduce wildfire risks. It involves door-to-door and school-based ISouth Africa. Over the past several FireWise community concepts which education campaigns to communicate years, there have been major and seek to build resilience against with communities about being catastrophic fires which have resulted FireWise. These teams form a second in death, damage to infrastructure line of defence in the case of big fire and loss of property and assets. emergencies. In 2017, Kranshoek The occurrences have not only survived fires that spread over negatively affected the natural “We are proud that this project 300kms and burned for nearly environment but have also and its results are echoing well two weeks, thanks in part to come at enormous direct beyond the shores of South Africa and we the FireWise principles the and indirect social and will be happy through our networks as UNDP community implemented. economic costs to the to ensure that its legacy continues to resonate country. in international circles well beyond its The United Nations completion,” said UNDP Country Director, Development Programme Fynbos is a fire-prone and Walid Badawi, at the project closeout (UNDP) in South Africa fire-dependent shrubland event in March this year. and several other partners vegetation that requires regular manage the FynbosFire Project, fires to ensure the survival of the which is implemented by extremely high species diversity. The Kishugu (now Landworks) Fynbos Biome is defined by South through the Department Africa as the most fire-vulnerable in of Environmental the country and is even more prone to destructive unwanted wildfires, with Affairs. The project climate change-related disaster risks a focus on preventing damage to has engaged several stakeholders from wildland fire. people’s homes, livelihoods and the including the insurance industry, landscape surrounding them. calling for the design of tailored In 2012, the Global Environment products with a reasonable and Facility started funding the FynbosFire Under the FireWise initiative, rural attainable cost structure for poor and Project in four South African rural communities are trained to recognise vulnerable communities in affected communities (Goedverwacht, fire dangers and to run their own risk areas. Private sector partners chip Kranshoek, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, reduction measures. FireWise teams in through subsidised products that Clarkson) within the Fynbos Biome. are taught to use the fire danger protect communities from future The project’s aim is to develop index to measure the degree of fire disasters. As a result, several resource sustainable interventions to radically threat. They use simple but effective materials for use by communities reform the approach to managing mechanisms and tools such as colour- have been produced.

InFocus 11 A magazine of the UN in South Africa UN agency warns of rising food insecurity in Southern Africa hile there are ample stocks southern parts of Zambia and Malawi, estimated 6.7 million people and just of cereal in southern Africa, eastern Zimbabwe and southwestern over 4 million people in Zimbabwe the spell of dry weather Madagascar. were food insecure. But the significant Wand erratic rains earlier in the season rebound in the sub-region’s cereal signal multiple risks to agricultural Maize production hit a record level production to a record level in 2017 yields and may aggravate the impact in 2017 in the southern Africa led food insecure numbers to fall by of the Fall armyworm pest, warns the sub-region, which was a welcome up to 90 percent, according to official Food and Agriculture Organization development after sharp output estimates. (FAO), the UN food agency. In its latest declines in the previous year caused special alert, the agency’s Global by an unusually strong El Niño. Maize production in 2017 increased Information and Early Warning System Cereal production in the sub-region is 43 percent above the recent average said reduced harvests are “foreseen estimated in 2018 to fall due to erratic and the sub-region produced to intensify food insecurity in 2018, rains, along with the intense dry more than is required for domestic increasing the number of people in period experienced in January. consumption for the first time in five need of assistance.” years, even excluding South Africa, To this end, FAO Director- a traditional net exporter. As a result, Many smallholders and rural families General José Graziano da Silva most countries were able to build up in southern Africa are still recovering has emphasized the importance inventories. The higher stock levels from losses due to the severe El Niño- of boosting the resilience of should be able to partly cushion associated drought, and they are communities, particularly in Africa, the effects of the likely production vulnerable to a downturn, the agency’s in making sure that “Zero Hunger is decreases to come. Local maize Global Information Early Warning possible”. prices, currently down on a yearly System (GIEWS) noted, adding that basis, also reflect favourable supply this was especially the case where conditions. harvests in 2017 were sparse. Poor Food insecurity to rise rains and hot temperatures triggered water stress which has adversely The number of food-insecure people Rain patterns also matter greatly affected crop development in several in the sub-region is likely to rise over for the Fall Armyworm, an invasive areas of southern Africa. the course of 2018, partly reversing species that has now been detected in last year’s sharp decline, the GIEWS all countries of the sub-region, except FAO said the same situation was alert warned. Lesotho and Mauritius. While recent also likely to occur in areas where heavy rains in some areas may have the weather trends have been In 2016, crop production declines contributed to containing the pest’s unfavourable, notably parts of due to El Niño drove up significantly spread, the general dry weather may Lesotho, southern and central areas the number of food-insecure people help it spread and could exacerbate of Mozambique, western South Africa, in the sub-region. In Malawi, an the impact on yields.

InFocus 12 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital underscores the importance of partnerships

By Ziyanda Ngoma

L-R: UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA ESARO Regional Director, Dr. Julita Onabanjo, and UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake at the Nelson Mandela Children Fund. © Sarah Kenyi

arly this year, Dr. If the world was equal and “If the world was equal and Natalia Kanem, we were to build a health we were to build a health the United facility for our children, ENations Population facility for our children, what would it look like?” Fund (UNFPA) Executive she asked, noting that this Director, joined the UN what would it look like question was at the heart Secretary-General Envoy of why the facility had to be on Youth, Jayathma built. Wickramanayake, in touring the Children’s Fund, was to supplement Nelson Mandela Children Hospital as this need and close the gap in children Although the hospital was built with part of their visit to South Africa. care. The hospital is one of only five funds exclusively from donors, it specialised state-of-the-art children has formed partnerships with three The Nelson Mandela Children hospitals in Africa. medical schools in the Gauteng Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility, Province, being it the capacity to is a specialized children’s hospital The UNFPA executive director, who train fellows for the teaching hospital which offers free care to patients was also accompanied by Dr. Julitta and augment the professionals who within South Africa and from outside Onabanjo, the UNFPA Regional are resident at the hospital. It has the country. It combines a child and Director for the Eastern and Southern also attracted top professionals who family-friendly environment with ultra- African Regional Office, noted that volunteer their time whenever they are modern MRI and CT-Scan facilities, the success of the project showed needed. and offer complex medical solutions the power of a dream, having only last like interventional radiology. It has an seen it when it was in its construction In her remarks during the tour, the UN intensive care unit (ICU) where up to phase, and knowing when UNFPA youth envoy noted that the children’s 24 new born in their most critical state funded its pre-feasibility study. Bongi hospital was a good example of the can be treated at the same time. Mkhabela, the Chief Executive Officer fact that “quality can also be free”. of the Nelson Mandela Hospital, noted She added that the success of the Prior to its opening, only one that it was a project that grew both project provided an important lesson specialised hospital of its kind existed from the power of imagination and the on how to build partnerships and in South Africa, which is located in commitment of many partners and mobilize the private sector to realize Cape Town. The project, which was professionals who were willing to pay a dream and invest in health for the initiated by the Nelson Mandela the “Madiba Price”: time and cost. future generation.

InFocus 13 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Developing a policy to promote social and economic change

Women beneficiaries of the social economy project By Kerryn Krige

outh Africa, along with Tunisia, they see in their communities and to sector is blending policymakers’ is taking the lead in Africa in take action,” says the ILO Director in perspectives on social and economic developing a policy to promote South Africa, Joni Musabayana. He change, and offering opportunities to Sa social and solidarity economy. The cited the example of Neil Campher, generate action. value of such an economy is that it an entrepreneur, who set up waste not only promotes job opportunities, recycling initiatives in Helenvale in “The social economy is so powerful but also strengthens communities. Port Elizabeth, in response to severe because it achieves both social and Together with the Department dumping and littering. economic change simultaneously,” of Economic Development, the says Mr. Musabayana, adding, “and it International Labour Organisation (ILO) “We see people like Stacey Brewer does so sustainably. There are great in South Africa, with support from the and Ryan Harrison setting up Spark lessons from the private sector in Government of Flanders (in Belgium), Schools, driven by a desire to provide terms of governance, accountability is developing policies which are aimed affordable, high-quality education to and the how-to of generating profit at creating and supporting decent school children. The best is that it has over time.” jobs in a sustainable and inclusive no urban bias: the social economy social economy. thrives in rural areas, as communities “When coupled with the deep band together to tackle issues and principles and connectedness of South Africa’s social economy has earn an income.” non-profit organizations, and their been growing steadily over the past approach to community development, decade. Social economy organizations According to the ILO director, the we have a real win-win for South combine the best of both worlds: social economy is not new: the Africa and the continent.” trading to earn an income that helps principles of community that support create sustainability, while delivering co-operatives and stokvels define The ILO is committed to growing the the social services and values that it. The Department of Economic social and solidarity economy globally, are typically associated with non- Development, with support from the with international academies, research governmental organizations. ILO, is creating the eco-system that and training programmes. The will allow these organizations and their organization is also heading a similar The result is a range of organizations members to thrive. that empower local communities over project in Tunisia through legislation. the long term, including co-operatives, The formulation of policy on the social mutual associations, social enterprises economy is scheduled to run till “We are proud of our work in the and non-profits that are engaged in 2020. The process involves extensive social economy and our position trade. Their value of these groups is consultations with stakeholders and as one of the first organizations to extensive, tackling the ‘triple-demons’ accompanying research to build champion the value that it brings. I that characterize South Africa’s an understanding of this mixed believe the social economy thrives economy: poverty, unemployment and environment. Currently there is not in South Africa, and that together inequality. enough data on the social economy in with government partners, we can South Africa despite broad agreement tackle unemployment, inequality and “One of the great strengths of the on its value in creating jobs in under- poverty by enabling social economy social economy is that it encourages served and economically isolated organizations to thrive,” says Mr. citizens to respond to the issues areas. What is known is that the Musabayana.

InFocus 14 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Visiting Swedish Minister stresses the value of sexuality education omprehensive sexuality education was in the limelight early this year when the UN CEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE) hosted the visiting Swedish Minister of Education, Gustav Fridolin, during his tour of South Africa and Zambia. The aim of the visit was to raise political awareness around young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Sweden supports UNESCO through a project, which started in 2013, on strengthening sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention among Minister Fridolin addressing young people in the Youth Dialogue in Katlehong. children and young people in Eastern and Southern Africa. South Africa is education. The dialogue resulted the many challenges South Africa one of the countries benefiting from in a consensus on the importance faces with HIV infections, teenage this support. of CSE in empowering adolescents pregnancy, substance abuse and and enabling youth to make healthy, gender-based violence, the minister The minister’s visit kicked off informed choices. Participants agreed called for concerted support and with a dialogue with youth at the to expand and strengthen CSE and action from religious leaders. He Katlehong Art Centre in the eastern linkages to youth-friendly sexual challenged them to play a key role part of Johannesburg with the Teen reproductive health services. in communities to help the country Pregnancy Coalition and Mmoho address these social problems. Campaign. Through drama, the young According to UNESCO’s Regional people demonstrated their challenges Director for Eastern Africa, Ann- “We need to accept the fact that and concerns in accessing information Therese Ndong Jatta, 15 out of 21 sometimes it is the young people on sexuality. The discussions that countries in Eastern and Southern in the room that have rights and ensued highlighted the disconnection Africa now provide CSE in at letting them speak is very critical,” between what young people know least 40 percent of primary and the minister told his audience, and what their parents are willing to secondary schools. She called for adding that although Sweden has discuss. It was recommended that bold leadership and joint action to made considerable progress in the parents, including religious leaders, strengthen CSE programming. implementing CSE, there were lessons should be brought on board to openly to be learned from his visit. discuss Comprehensive Sexuality The minister’s visit to South Africa Education (CSE). concluded with a dialogue with Other government delegates who religious leaders and youth from were part of the mission to South During the high-level discussions, SANALELA and the Save the Children Africa included Ghanaian Deputy which were led by Minister Fridolin held at Mabopane Baptist Church Minister of Education Barbara Asher and brought together key regional in Pretoria. The discussions centred Ayisi, officials from the Southern policy makers to reflect on progress, around religion’s role in advocating African Development Community challenges and opportunities for and mobilizing communities on (SADC) Secretariat, and senior scaling up CSE, the organizers CSE and addressing SRH related government officials from Côte presented the revised International challenges that adolescents and d’Ivoire and Swaziland. Technical Guidance on sexuality young people face. Pointing to

InFocus 15 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Joint WFP/UN Women training in business, digital and internet literacy for South African Women In Farming (SAWIF) held in Polokwane and Tzaneen to enhance food supply to orphaned and vulnerable children in Swaziland.

SheDecides flagship event marks a year of accelerated global support for women and girls to realize their sexual and reproductive health rights.

InFocus 16 A magazine of the UN in South Africa UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem and UN Secretary-General’s Youth Envoy Jayathma Wickramanayake visit to South Africa.

Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa, addresses UN staff at a townhall meeting.

InFocus 17 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Education: Leaving no child behind through care and support for teaching and learning By Sudeshan Reddy

unjwa Primary School is located the overall matric pass rate in the on the outskirts of Hoedspruit, province has increased, “thus showing a gateway town into South the success of this critical, multi- A roundtable discussion with the relevant FAfrica’s iconic Kruger National faceted intervention.” Data from stakeholders from the School-based Support Park. Humid and lush vegetation ongoing studies show the success of Team (SBST). characterise this part of the country, the programme thus far. known as the ‘lowveld’ as is evident when one enters the neat school and At the time of UNICEF’s visit to The team comprises, among others, is welcomed by the sight of a healthy Funjwa, the school was a hub of representatives of the school, the herb and flower garden. Neatly attired activities as officials from South police and district health officials. With learners in red and white uniforms Africa’s Department of Home Affairs the help from the CSTL programme, chatter amidst the midday heat as were busy registering children the team has successfully intervened they enjoy the post-exams school for birth certificates and identity especially in cases of child neglect. period. papers. Officials from the Embassy Deputy Principal Rose Mbethe of Mozambique in South Africa were commended CSTL initiative for making The school is one of those that also assisting the process since “a big difference from where we currently benefits from the Care and some of the school children are started.” Support for Teaching and Learning from Mozambican migrants. The (CSTL) programme, a holistic model documents are a requirement for With support from the National of education supported by the UN accessing social security grants which Education Collaborative Trust, the Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in South help keep starvation and extreme CSTL programme has scored notable Africa. The programme’s objective is poverty at bay. The school, with 702 success in areas such as de-worming to remove health and social barriers children and 23 teachers, receives a programmes, the provision of HPV which limit children’s growth potential government subsidy commensurate vaccines, HIV awareness and a by prioritising several areas: nutrition, with the number of officially registered reduction in alcohol and drug abuse, safety, work, health, material support, children. and no pregnancies among the school grants, identification documents, children. socially inclusive and cohesive “This school started under a tree,” initiatives, ending gender-based says Thandi Mthethwa, a dignified, The school also receives hygienic violence and supporting curriculum gentle-in-demeanour but strong- products for the children such as with a focus on inclusive education in-character teacher. Distressed soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes and leadership. by the poverty among the school but does experience periodic water children in the area, she set up a care shortages. In collaboration with the Mpumalanga centre adjacent to Funjwa Primary Department of Basic Education, School. In discussions with UNICEF There remains, however, concern that UNICEF is currently testing the CSTL officials, she commended the CSTL it was not always clear what happens programme in 393 schools (292 programme for having “made a after the school children leave the primary and 101 high schools) in the great difference” and given children supportive school environment. That province. Launched in 2008, the a “degree of self-actualisation.” She is why, according to Dr. Panday, programme has since gone through has introduced reading competitions “monitoring and evaluation is critical if phases, focusing on, among other to the excitement of the children. we are to understand the full impact of issues, curriculum and psycho- “We see too many learners going to CSTL.” social support, HIV and broader school for the sake of school rather health surveys as well as deworming than with a vision and a plan,” says For the learners of Funjwa Primary and adherence to certain minimum Ms. Mthethwa, crediting the CSTL School, an example of a well- standards. programme for giving the school functioning learning institution where children a sense of hope and direction. commitment and dedication is evident, Dr. Saadhna Panday, the UNICEF A support team run by people with the benefits of the CSTL programme education specialist, says since the an interest in the school works are clear and life-changing. inception of CSTL in these schools, closely with the local community.

InFocus 18 A magazine of the UN in South Africa officials urge young women and girls

By Ziyanda Ngoma

UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem and UN Secretary-General’s Youth Envoy, Jayathma Wickramanayake, with young girls.

n a sunny afternoon in Speaking during the visit, the UN sexual exploitation, and accelerate February, a group of about youth envoy shared her childhood comprehensive sexuality education 50 teenage girls from Steve experiences, noting the lack of and services. More so, she also OTshwete Secondary School in Pretoria sexuality education when she underscored the need to partner and welcomed the United Nations was growing up. She said openly work with communities to protect Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive discussing sexuality was generally and enable young girls to reach their Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem and the considered a taboo and many girls potential – and keep rising. UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on grew up oblivious of the changes they Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake, were going through. The youth envoy With the play, the girls highlighted the with song and dance and a play that encouraged the young girls to make risks they face, and the impact on focused on HIV infection, teenage the best use of the information and their lives as a result of lack of sexual pregnancy and sexual exploitation by education they are receiving through education, and the knowledge they blessers in the community. the Rise Young Women’s Clubs, have acquired, thanks to Soul City. to stay safe and speak up about The discussions that ensured after the The young girls from the their health. She emphasized the play between the teenage girls and Olivenhoutbosch’s “Rise Young importance of education in providing the UNFPA executive director and Women’s Clubs” in the township opportunities to realise one’s potential, the youth envoy focused on teenage of Centurion are part of the Soul and encouraged the Rise Up girls to pregnancy, blessers and the need to City Institute for Social Justice, an stay in school and “keep on rising”. stay in school. advocacy group on women and girls and the communities in which they For her part, the UNFPA executive live. The group seeks to empower director said she was encouraged by The UN delegation was welcomed young girls with comprehensive the path the clubs were charting for at the school by the chairperson of sexuality education and life skills to young girls in the school and within the School Governing Board and help them make informed decisions the community. Noting the global Chief Executive Officer, Lebogang on their sexual and reproductive youth population at 1.8 billion, Dr. Ramafoko, as well as the Chief health, and defend and demand their Natalia underscored the need to invest Operating Officer, Zane Dangor, both reproductive rights. in and empower young girls, tackle from the Soul City Institute.

InFocus 19 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Special envoy commends South Africa for generously hosting Somali refugees Southern Africa is currently hosting over 60,000 registered Somali refugees and asylum-seekers - half of whom live in South Africa. By Markku Aikomus

the international community,” added the special envoy.

He noted that Somalia not only requires financial aid to rebuild shelters, schools and other infrastructure inside the country but also durable solutions for Somali refugees in the region through local integration and third country UNHCR Special Envoy for Somalia Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey and the then UNHCR resettlement. Regional Representative for Southern Africa, Sharon Cooper (right) with the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Fatima Chohan. © UNHCR/B. Robertson. Although the situation in Somalia is not yet conducive for large scale he generosity of the South difficulties in accessing the asylum voluntary repatriation, UNHCR is African government has documentation as well as long asylum assisting those individuals who ensured that over 300,000 processes. have made the decision to return. Trefugees and asylum-seekers live Some Somalis in South Africa have in the country in a free and safe During his meeting with the Deputy expressed interest in eventually environment, noted UNHCR Special Minister for Home Affairs, Fatima returning to Somalia; however, most of Envoy to the Somalia Refugee Chohan, Ambassador Affey expressed them prefer to wait until the situation Situation. UNHCR’s gratitude to South Africa for in the country stabilizes. providing asylum space for hundreds “South Africa has a generous policy of thousands, including nearly 32,000 UNHCR provides technical support that grants asylum-seekers and Somali refugees and asylum-seekers. to the government of South Africa to refugees free movement, access He especially lauded the government enhance the protection of refugees, to jobs and public services,” said for its progressive policies which asylum-seekers and stateless people Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey “UNHCR is also promoting with other by working within national, political, during a recent visit to South Africa. countries in the region.” economic and social structures to bring policies, practices and laws The special envoy visited Pretoria “Somalia should not be forgotten,” he into compliance with international and Cape Town in early February urged as he appealed to the South standards. and met with government officials, African Government to support the the ambassador of Somalia to South ongoing peace and reconstruction The special envoy applauded the Africa and representatives from efforts inside the war-ravaged country. cohesive nature of the government’s UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, partnership with UNHCR and other donors and other partners. Nearly three decades since the start aid agencies, particularly in helping of the Somalia crisis, close to one refugees to find jobs and various He also gave media interviews and million Somalis are exiled in the Horn sources of income. The livelihood met with Somali refugee leaders who of Africa region. support programmes in place gave him first-hand information on help refugees with micro-grants the challenges that Somali refugees “Despite many positive developments for businesses, empowerment of and asylum-seekers are facing in in Somalia, the country remains fragile women’s skills, local language training South Africa including xenophobia, and requires continued support from and vocational skills training.

InFocus 20 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Making reading the passport to

Thobela Bhoyoyo reading his favourite book success By Sudeshan Reddy t is a reality of life that education Between 2013 and 2017, UNICEF is a necessary tool to break contributed about R14 million (US$1.2 the cycle of poverty. This is million) to NMIRD. The result has Iparticularly true in the rural areas of improved numeracy and literacy levels many developing countries where among Grade R (pre-school) children generations are unable to advance since the programme started over a economically due to lack of basic decade ago. Its success has led to the literacy tools. South Africa’s apartheid University of Fort Hare (the alma mater history is characterised by the neglect of several African statesmen including of rural areas where the black majority Nelson Mandela) setting up a bilingual lived without adequate educational education programme this year to facilities. train teachers to teach in indigenous of the children at the school are those languages. from single-parents or child-headed One form of this neglect is in the households. Some of the children do lack of support for the use of mother About 50 kilometres from the town not have birth certificates and are thus languages in schools. Research has of Mbizana in the Eastern Cape lies unable to access any of the social shown that being taught in one’s Dlangezwa Senior Primary School. grants that have helped to mitigate home language enhances a child’s Established in 1985, the school has extreme poverty in post-apartheid overall learning and comprehension of 178 students from Grade R to Grade South Africa. Less children with birth language, concepts and logic. 7 and the NMIRD has worked with certificates also means less state this school since 2009 with a focus on subsidies for the school, making Realizing the importance of mother Grade R to Grade 3. registration important. tongue language, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in South Nosimo Bhokomela, a school Six-year old Thobela Bhoyoyo, Africa has formed a partnership with teacher who has been teaching popularly known as “Comrade” due the Nelson Mandela Institute for at the school since the BIDC to his love of anti-apartheid songs, Rural Development (NMIRD) in the programme was introduced, has is now a confident Grade R reader, Eastern Cape Province on the Bilingual seen significant improvement in thanks to the BIDC programme. His Interactive Differentiated Classrooms both reading and counting skills. teacher, who helped him channel (BIDC) Programme, also known as the She says the programme “has made his energy towards reading books, “magic classroom collective”. The idea teaching friendly” and children more says Thobela now understands the behind the initiative is that teaching enthusiastic. Her view is shared by the reading text at a level above most should be engaging and diverse and school principal, Zamuxolo Mdatya, Grade 6 children. The boy says he not linear and monotonous while being who described the programme’s “loves seeing the words” in his Xhosa fully grounded in its local context. In workbooks as “very user-friendly”. home language and would like to be a Eastern Cape, this means promoting teacher when he grows up. the use of Xhosa, the province’s main According to Mr. Mdatya, the language. challenges faced by about 70 percent Continued on page 25

InFocus 21 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Youth Champions in Action Monitoring the implementation of the SDGs in Africa

ith so much attention being them. Some of their questions SPEAKING ON THEIR EXPERIENCE OF paid to the implementation centred around climate change and of Sustainable industrializing in a sustainable way. BEING A YOUTH CHAMPION WDevelopment Goals (SDGs) in Africa, They also wanted to know how they it is becoming increasingly important could build and sustain partnerships to monitor and evaluate the process. in their countries to adapt SDGs to And who best to spearhead the their local communities. They also process than the people who will asked questions that are sometimes benefit the most from the attainment overlooked like, “What informed the of SDGs—the youth. colours and numbers of the SDGs as opposed to alphabets in the MDGs To this end, the United Nations [Millennium Development Goals]?” Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa, recently participated in Mr. Matomela expressed UNDP’s a four-day workshop hosted Africa appreciation of the Youth Champions’ Monitor in Kempton Park for more contributions during the discussions Ramatoulaye Badji (25) and Mareme than 30 Youth Champions from six on implementing the SDGs, which Diop (24) from Senegal African countries from Botswana, “are ambitious in nature and built “We are active members of the Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal and upon the foundation of the unfinished ROJALNU network and that is how Zambia. The aim of the training was business of the MDGs.” He pointed we were identified to take part in this to empower the young people with out that African countries are workshop. We have a lot of experience skills for data collection to monitor committed to the 2030 Development in leadership, and this seminar the implementation of SDGs in their Agenda for Sustainable Development experience has uplifted our leadership countries. The training was part of and the African Union’s Agenda role. When we get back home, we are the third phase of the Voice Africa 2063, the mechanisms that aim to looking forward to teaching others what Future Campaign, an initiative by ensure continuity and commitment we have learned. We must implement African Monitor, a development towards meeting the SDGs targets. this project in our locality.” aid monitoring group, designed Other frameworks that have been put to strengthen the capacity and Budani Bulayani (25) into effect include the climate change ability of young people to engage protocol and the Paris Agreement from Botswana policymakers and influence the which address sustainable “This is a great implementation of SDGs. industrialization, and the global opportunity for me climate change fund for financing personally to interact The discussions focused on SDGs. On tailoring SDGs to local with other Africans innovative partnerships the Youth conditions, UNDP shared an example and get to know Champions need to build to where South Africa has translated what is happening in their countries. I conduct effective advocacy with the SDGs into local languages am amazed at how much we have in key stakeholders in their countries. to help popularize them and aid common. The programme has taught The UNDP’s Programme Manager understanding by communities. me a lot more about surveys and on Governance, Bongani Matomela, The discussions emphasized the research and what to expect when in shared UNDP’s experience and importance of forming partnerships the field. I am the Youth Champion of the work done with partners such with the assistance of UNDP offices YALDA (Youth Alliance for Leadership as African Monitor on gaining the in their respective countries. and Development in Africa) and non- support of partners in implementing sporting clubs at Botho University. The SDGs in South Africa. The Youth Champions’ SDGs Master Leadership class has exposed implementation and monitoring me to many views, expectations and The Youth Champions expressed project receives support from benefits of leadership. I take away the concern over the realistic nature Southern African and West African law of trade-off as a leadership quality of the SDGs and the chances branches of the Open Society that I want to live with! ” for African countries to achieve Initiative.

InFocus 22 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Partners display the fruits of joint projects at the Africa Energy Indaba

here was a hive of activity UNIDO’s goal is to implement in South Africa to reduce energy and excitement at the 2018 technical cooperation projects consumption and carbon emissions, Africa Energy Indaba held in which can be absorbed into the core to become more competitive. It has TJohannesburg early this year. The UN business of local partner institutions also led to the creation of jobs through Industrial Development Organization to allow national ownership. With the energy savings in kilowatt terms and (UNIDO) teamed South African assistance of the former Minister of in financial savings. government, institutional partners and Science and Technology and now the Southern African Development Minister of Higher Education, MP To date the project contributed to: Community (SADC)’s Centre for Naledi Pandor, the programme has 2,120 GWh of energy saved (the Renewable Energy and Energy contributed to the entrepreneurial equivalent of 295 000 middle-income Efficiency to showcase their joint development of more than 607 clean homes electrified for the year); R1.7 projects. technology innovators in energy billion (about US$148 million) saved in efficiency, renewable energy, water energy costs; 2 billion tonnes of CO2e The Indaba, which attracted many conservation and waste management. mitigated; and 1,744 jobs created participants from Africa, provided or retained as a result of project an opportunity to exchange ideas, As part of a global programme, the interventions; world class training knowledge and experience of top three entrepreneurial candidates programmes developed in energy initiatives that serve Sustainable selected in South Africa went on management and energy systems Development Goal 9, which aims to compete with their international optimization; and more than 3,000 to build resilient infrastructure, counterparts in San Francisco and people trained, including experts promote inclusive and sustainable Los Angeles at the Cleantech Global trained for the benefit of their plants, industrialization and foster innovation. Forum organized by the Cleantech for the South African industry and for Open. other countries. The Low Carbon Transport South Africa project, which is being With energy being a core element The second phase of the Industrial implemented in partnership with to economic growth and industrial Energy Efficiency project, which is the South African National Energy development, the second phase of funded by the Global Environmental Development Institute, drew many the Industrial Energy Efficiency project Facility, builds on the achievements interested visitors with its display of an is being implemented in partnership of the first phase and seeks to offer electric Nissan Leaf, a vehicle used by with the National Cleaner Production greater support to the Department of the Department of Trade and Industry Centre and co-financed by the Energy in the planning and execution to demonstrate the use of technology Department of Trade and Industry. The of its energy efficiency vision for South in mitigating climate change and the project has supported large industries Africa. department’s work on green transport.

Working with relevant departments, the project aims to promote the general acceptance of electric vehicles and non-motorized transport, including the growth of the Electric Vehicles Industry Association (EVIA), which brings together industry, government and academia to address the value chain of the electric vehicle industry. Alongside electric vehicles, this initiative provides support to integrated EcoMobility, including non- motorized transport, to selected cities. The DTI’s Electric Vehicle drew lots of interest from participants at the Africa Energy Indaba

InFocus 23 A magazine of the UN in South Africa UN Youth Envoy engages UN staff in South Africa By Ziyanda Ngoma

ayathma Wickramanayake, UN system that are not immediately providing specific quotas to youth the United Nations Secretary- available to youth in poor countries. from poor countries, citing Italy as an General’s Envoy on Youth, met In response, the youth envoy noted example of one such country, which Jwith UN staff based in Pretoria as that unpaid work, labour exploitation is planning to allocate a quarter of its part of her four-day official visit to and a general review of the internship JPO positions to young professionals South Africa. The townhall-style programme at the UN is an important from developing countries. meeting brought together staff from item on the Secretary-General’s all agencies to talk about the office of agenda. This is one of the issues The envoy also briefed the staff on her mandate, noting that her office the youth envoy’s priorities on youth the envoy had been tasked to make was the link between youth in local and the role of UN in promoting more specific recommendations on. In communities and policy makers, meaningful engagements with young addition, Ms. Wickramanayake noted including the Secretary-General, at people. that job experience was no longer the UN headquarters, where issues the same as it used to be in the past. concerning the future of young people The UN staff raised several issues. Access to information and training are discussed and policies formulated. One of the questions asked was about opportunities mean that it now takes Her office has the responsibility to some of the UN’s unpaid internship people a shorter time to learn or bring the work of the UN closer to programmes and how the unpaid understand something than it did 30 young people. She urged UN agencies work affects young people’s ability years ago. Hence the thinking on job to look for innovative ways to to join the UN as interns and how the experience needs to change. engage youth. Ms. Wickramanayake years of job experience as a minimum challenged the staff to think differently requirement affect youth in joining The envoy also noted that indeed about the role young people could the organization. They noted that some countries were investing in play professionally, underscoring for developed countries, the Junior specific positions for young people the examples of disruptions and Professional Officer programme through the JPO programme. But leadership the youth are showing as (JPO) offers opportunities within the in addition, these countries are also entrepreneurs.

InFocus 24 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Lawmakers commit to use the power of science, technology and innovation

arliamentarians and high-level current and future global challenges. lawmakers also urged UNESCO and officials from Southern African They also recognized that parliaments the Southern African Development countries who recently attended were a strategic partner in establishing Community (SADC) Secretariat to Pa capacity building workshop on good governance in STI. create a platform for dialogue and Science Technology and Innovation cooperation among all interested (STI) and Sustainable Development The Parliamentarians urged the UN parties. Goals (SDGs) in Pretoria pledged to Educational, Scientific and Cultural engage with academics and policy Organization (UNESCO), the African The UNESCO Regional Office for makers to use STI to boost the Union, the New Partnership for Southern Africa also organized economy and leave no one behind. Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and a similar three-day workshop in the International Council for Science partnership with South Africa’s In a document outlining their decisions (ICSU) to serve as knowledge Department of Science and at the end of their meeting, the brokers. This would enable them Technology, SADC Secretariat and lawmakers acknowledged the central to offer the necessary technical the SADC Parliamentary Forum. role played by STI in the economy support to improve the research and Participants included parliamentarians in achieving the SDGs. They agreed innovation capacity and capabilities from SADC, other to gather and create the necessary of academics, policy makers, and selected African countries knowledge, practices, innovations stakeholders in new and emerging and STI senior officials and technologies needed to address areas of STI in the region. The from the region.

Continued from page 21

In a moving scene, the principal scholarships to attend one of the invited the boy’s mother, best schools in the province. Nonkanyiso, to listen to her son read to his classmates. After reading Not far from Dlangweza Primary excerpts of a short story in a clear is Maje Senior Primary School voice that showed an understanding where 11-year-old Angel Zinhle of the text he was reading, his Madikizela is in Grade 6. As a classmates gave him an enthusiastic beneficiary of this programme, applause. Nonkanyiso smiled quietly, Angel began reading stories in and said Comrade is “very curious Xhosa when she started school. UNICEF SA Education Specialist, Saadhna and always asks lots of questions.” Today, she is an active member Panday with the Principal, Zamuxolo Mdatya of of her school’s Reading Club Dlangweza Senior Primary School and is an enthusiastic supporter Saadhna Panday, an education of the power of reading. She specialist at UNICEF, advised the positive future for young learners. writes poetry and advises others Principal Mdatya credits the BIDC principal to invite parents regularly to always “think before you write”. programme for helping him and to come and listen to their children School Principal Ace Gqamane says his teaching staff realize that the read to foster a culture of reading Angel was recently placed second foundation phase of teaching is critical outside the classroom. at the District Level Spelling Bee and has done well in Xhosa spelling to a child’s development. They now To the programme’s credit, two competitions. recognize that programmes that children at Dlangezwa Primary encourage innovation in teaching and School passed their recent Comrade and Angel are but two learning are critical as they encourage Mathematics Common paper examples of the power of innovative children to aspire for a future out of examinations and were awarded learning initiatives in shaping a the cycle of poverty.

InFocus 25 A magazine of the UN in South Africa World Health Organization helps scale up South Africa’s response to listeriosis outbreak

ince January 2017, South Africa (GOARN) mission supported the Centre (EOC), epidemiology and has experienced the world’s Department of Health in investigating risk communication in support of largest outbreak of listeriosis. the source of the outbreak. The the government lead multi-sectoral SAccording to the World Health mission participated in sampling response. Organization (WHO), listeriosis affects suspected food-producing factories. a variety of animals. It infects people WHO helped to identify the source of Trade bans: when they consume contaminated the listeria outbreak as the ready-to- WHO is closely monitoring the foods, particularly unpasteurized milk, eat meat products (polony) produced application of trade bans by soft cheeses, vegetables and prepared by a single company. neighbouring countries. To date, 12 meat products such as pâté. Unlike countries have reportedly banned most food bacteria, listeria multiplies Surveillance: the import of meat products from readily in refrigerated foods that have WHO continues to support South South Africa, and three countries been contaminated. Africa in strengthening the surveillance have extended these bans to include of cases, conducting laboratory dairy and agricultural products. WHO As of 26 March 2018, a total of 982 investigations and managing cases advises against the application of laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases that have been confirmed. unjustified trade bans. had been identified, of which 189 had died. These cases have been reported Public health messages: WHO does media monitoring of to National Institute for Communicable The Department of Health has widely information and trade measures in Diseases (NICD) from all provinces disseminated WHO preventative relation to this outbreak. It verifies, since 1 January 2017. About 80 percent messages, “Five Keys to Safer Food” through National IHR (International of the cases came from three provinces: translated in nine local languages Health Regulations) focal points, Gauteng Province had 59 percent to educate the population and these media signals and makes the of the cases, Western Cape had 12 to promote safe food handling information available to other States percent and cases from KwaZulu-Natal behaviours. WHO is developing Parties through the Event Information accounted for 7 percent. The most further materials to support risk Site. affected age group (41 percent) is the communications and community newborns who are less than 28 days engagement in South Africa and other If countries implement broader trade old. countries. bans that go beyond the implicated products, WHO reaches out to States Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Food exports: Parties implementing such measures Health of South Africa, confirmed the Through the International Food Safety to request the public health rationale outbreak source in March as being Authorities Network (INFOSAN), WHO and justification, if not received ready-to-eat meat products (polony) sought further information regarding from State Party within 48 hours of from one producing company, which export of affected products to inform implementation. also exports the product to 15 countries affected countries so they can take in the region. A recall of the affected appropriate measures to protect their WHO has reached out to 17 African products was effected within South populations. nations to provide support for Africa and in countries that import the preparedness and response to the products from South Africa. Incident management activation: listeriosis outbreak which is now WHO has activated its internal incident threatening other countries on the In support of South Africa’s response management system to support continent. Additional experts are to the outbreak, WHO has worked with the government in responding to being deployed to South Africa in Government in the following areas: this outbreak. This includes the food safety, risk communication and repurposing of the WHO country epidemiology. Lesotho and Swaziland Outbreak investigation: office staff to cover critical functions; have also each received one expert to In January 2018, a WHO Global deployment of experts in the areas of strengthen their respective listeriosis Outbreak Alert and Response Network food safety, Emergency Operations preparedness and response.

InFocus 26 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Techno Girl: Making opportunity possible, 19-year making opportunities old Julian Morudi from Tembisa. possible By Sudeshan Reddy

ob shadowing is one of the most Julian Morudi, a 19-year old girl University of Witwatersrand after effective ways for students to from Tembisa township just outside the job shadowing programme. learn more about a career. It Johannesburg, was part of a group of She is determined to overcome the Jgives them a first-hand opportunity girls selected to intern at Dimension tough economic circumstances that to observe experts going about their Data, a digital solutions company. have forced her family to depend daily tasks. Techno Girl, an innovative It was while at the company that on government grants for child and job shadowing programme started Julian was inspired by her colleagues, disability support. by the South Africa’s Department of some of whom shared similarly Basic Education and the UN Children’s disadvantaged backgrounds. When asked how she copes with her Fund (UNICEF) in South Africa, is one living conditions and still manages to such initiative. Their mentor encouraged them achieve such remarkable academic to create “vision boards” of their The programme involves female high aspirations. Julian soon realized that it results, Julian responded: “I make school students who have an interest was not how one begins their journey, sure I am at school by 6am to study in and display an aptitude for careers but rather about their determination, before class and I wake up in the in science, technology, engineering hard work and support from families, middle of the night to study again.” and mathematics. With the assistance peers and mentors. Julian’s vision is to have a successful of UNICEF, the students are identified career, and with and placed in a structured job Julian graduated from high school in initiatives like Techno shadowing initiative within the private 2016 with six distinctions. Her aim Girl programme, her and public sectors. is to pursue a bachelor of science future looks bright. degree at the Johannesburg-based

that an organizational culture that is C NCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN supportive of physical, emotional and social well-being of its employees builds their morale and self-satisfaction. he United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa, As part of the event, a representative Nardos Bekele-Thomas, has from the Cancer Association of South Turged UN staff to be responsible in Africa displayed various organs and taking care of their health and general foods and explained to participants wellness. Addressing staff at a cancer how different types of food affect the awareness event held in late March at body. the UN Library in Pretoria, the resident coordinator said the organization has a UN staff members received screenings duty to ensure that health and wellness for several types of cancer. Thirty-four is made a priority in the workplace. men tested for prostate specific antigen (PSA), 31 received skin examinations, The cancer awareness campaign, 47 staff members underwent clinical which is part of a series of planned breast screening, 64 were tested wellness activities of the UN to be rolled for both blood glucose and blood out this year, was attended by dozens pressure. As a result of the positive of people. The Wellness Coordinator, response from staff members, the Sindiswa Mathiso, reiterated the wellness team plans to organize similar Sindiswa Mathiso, UN Wellness Coordinator importance of screening, explaining events in the future.

InFocus 27 A magazine of the UN in South Africa South Africa’s second biggest city averts a water crisis—for now By Masimba Tafirenyika

ohammed Allie’s wife the leader of the opposition two-thirds of the work required to has given up showers Democratic Alliance (DA), announced install four desalination plants of while Cape Town, South in March. varying sizes. MAfrica’s second-largest city after Johannesburg, contemplates life Tucked at the southern tip of the According to a local environmental without a drop of water in its taps. African continent, where the Atlantic advocacy group, Philippi Horticultural Allie, a BBC correspondent, related Ocean meets its younger sibling, Area Campaign, the city council failed his wife’s experience with the the Indian Ocean, Cape Town—one to invest in the mass infrastructure shrinking supply of water, caused by of the world’s most popular tourist necessary to meet the water an historic three-year drought. destinations—is joining the list of demands of an expanding city. The global cities affected by serious group opposes desalination plants, “[My wife] boils about 1.5 litres of water shortages attributed to climate maintaining that “desalination is water and mixes it with about a litre change. regressive—its cost will be borne of tap water to have her daily wash, disproportionately by the poor, while the rest of us catch the slow- Averting day zero and its technologies are already running water in a bucket for re-use outmoded and superseded by more in the toilet cistern.” As the clock ticks and the seasonal sustainable environmentally proactive rains refuse to arrive, Cape Town methods of water conservation.” Mr. Allie joins over three million has launched a flurry of measures Capetonians taking extreme steps to avert disaster. These range from Compounding the crisis caused by to save water in a last-ditch attempt setting up recycling and desalination drought is the fact that, according to evade disaster, or Day Zero— plants to extracting groundwater by to scientists at the University when dam levels hit 13.5%, a level drilling boreholes as well as imposing of the Western Cape, Cape too low to keep taps running. The tighter restrictions on water usage. Town’s surrounding seawater is plan is when Day Zero finally strikes, The measures, however, are late in contaminated by chemicals. Their residents would have to line up coming. The city’s population has report last year drew attention to “the at about 200 designated water grown by more than 80% over the probable presence of pathogens, collection points monitored by past 20 years to over four million, and literally thousands of chemicals security to get their daily allocation of while infrastructure has lagged of emerging concern” in the city’s 25 litres per person. behind. seawater. The researchers discovered “high levels of microbial pollution Since the beginning of the year, Desalination plants, which process and 15 pharmaceutical and common Day Zero has been a moving target. seawater to make it drinkable, are household chemicals” in various Originally set for 11 May, it was later expensive and require time to set up. samples taken from the city’s pushed to 1 June and then to July 9. According to the Sunday Times, a Granger Bay. City authorities dispute Thanks to the residents’ cooperation national weekly, a large desalination the findings. with strict water-rationing measures, plant costs between $417 million and the day of reckoning is unlikely to $1.5 billion. By the end of February, Some experts view the water crisis happen this year, Mmusi Maimane, the city had completed more than in terms of equity and justice. Cape

InFocus 28 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Town is the richest city in South debate between DA and ANC senior Surprisingly, the city’s property market Africa, a country with one of the worst officials, the government declared has largely escaped unscathed—for income inequalities in the world. Many the drought a national disaster in now. Richard Day, the regional head of the country’s wealthiest citizens February. of Pam Golding Properties, told and some of the world’s best-known Property24, an online real estate celebrities own properties in the city’s In his 2018 budget speech, embattled company, of buyer hesitancy recently, posh suburbs dotted with impressive finance minister Malusi Gigaba (now but added that this was largely due mansions and surrounded by acres of minister of home affairs) allocated to property prices as well as recent lush gardens. $500 million dollars to Western political and economic uncertainty. He Cape’s drought relief efforts. For its said he had not seen any signs that For the city’s poor residents, Day Zero part, Cape Town increased its capital residents might soon be relocating will be nothing new. In Khayelitsha, the expenditure budget on water projects from the province permanently largest and fastest-growing township to $583 million in 2018 from $492 because of the water crisis. in South Africa, tens of thousands of million in 2017. people have no access to piped water, El Niño–related droughts according to Beyond Our Borders, a Economic impact local advocacy group. Cape Town’s water crisis is a Cape Town’s water crisis has affected symptom of a much wider and more Anele Goba, a 34-year-old resident of not only the political dynamics of prolonged problem facing not only Khayelitsha, told Independent Online, the city but also, in various ways, its South Africa but the whole Southern a South African news site, that she economy and sanitation, with effects African region. Over the past several had little sympathy for the alarm of the ranging from climbing borrowing years, the region has watched with rich. “‘Day Zero’ would give them a costs and sinking revenue from water frustration as the effects of El Niño– taste of how slum dwellers live,” she rates to public health risks from poor related droughts took their toll. South said. “Maybe that wouldn’t be a bad sanitation. In 2017 the share of the Africa has suffered one of the worst thing.” city’s municipal water revenue to meteorological droughts (dry weather patterns) since 1904, with the average its operating income was as much Musa Gwebani, a project manager rainfall from 2014 through 2016 as 10%, notes the Moody’s report. with the Social Justice Coalition, says dropping to 403mm from 608mm, Released at the end of January, the that, “For the first time, everyone in according to the Mail & Guardian, a report did not imply a review of the Cape Town has to live with water national weekly. restrictions that are a daily reality for city’s credit rating, but if such a review all slum dwellers.” happens, it could affect Cape Town’s The Food and Agriculture Organization bond ratings. says 45 countries, including South Such reflections of the less fortunate Africa, are experiencing critical water have been picked up by Moody’s “The city will lose a portion of shortages. And according to UN Investors Service, the US-based credit this [water] revenue and will have Environment estimates, Cape Town’s ratings agency, which warns that increased operational costs from population almost doubled between due to Cape Town’s “acute income crisis management policies and 1995 and 2018, while its dam storage inequality,” the water crisis poses a programmes, and implementation increased by a paltry 15% over the possible threat to social order. of water supply projects,” says same period. Moody’s. A decline in agriculture and Cape Town’s water crisis has the tourism, the city’s major industries Given the pace of climate change potential to spark political fights in the and its biggest water guzzlers, would and the El Niño effect, South Africa’s run-up to national elections in 2019. increase job losses, which would be a rainfall patterns are likely to worsen. The city’s mayor, Patricia de Lille, is blow to tax revenues. The only options left for large cities a senior member of the opposition like Cape Town are to develop water DA. Her predecessor, Helen Zille, a According to estimates from the infrastructure that meets the needs of former DA leader, is the premier of the government’s Department of a growing population and for residents Western Cape Province, the only one to change their water usage. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the of the country’s nine provinces not impact of the drought on the economy under the control of the ruling party, “Less frequent rainfall and a changing of the Western Cape Province will be the African National Congress (ANC). climate mean that drier conditions $492 million, with exports expected are likely to become the new normal,” Early this year, the city council to decline by between 13% and 20% says UN Environment. accused the ANC government this year. The province’s agriculture of bureaucratic foot-dragging in sector accounts for almost a quarter This article was first published by the declaring the drought a national of South Africa’s total value from UN’s Africa Renewal magazine. disaster. After months of a political agriculture.

InFocus 29 A magazine of the UN in South Africa Staff profiles r. Janice Golding is the new Full name and educational chair of the UN Country background: Team’s working group My name is Unice Dcalled Greening the Blue. A South Mohlamonyane, and my maiden African national originally from surname is Chabedi. I’m Cape Town, she joined the UN 31years old and was born in Development Programme (UNDP) Limpopo Province in a village Dr Janice Golding in 2016 as its programme manager called Jane Furse. I am the first for energy and environment. born with four siblings and I was raised by both parents and What is your work with UNDP? I thank God they are still alive. I work with the Government of South Africa to manage and implement the largest portfolio of environmental projects I completed my matric in in the sub-Saharan African region financed by the Global Unice mohlamonyane 2004 at Rebone Secondary Environmental Facility. My day-to-day duties centre around School and moved to Pretoria strategic oversight, and providing leadership to various teams in 2005 where I graduated who implement projects. The projects cover many areas of with a Diploma in Computer Literacy. I also have a discipline determined by national development priorities in Diploma in Business Management with Pretoria Institute biodiversity, water, waste, climate change and energy. of Learning. I did few courses and graduated with certificates in First Aid, Procurement Course in Zambia, What was your career before joining UNDP? and Certification Programme in Project Management Prior to joining UNDP, I served at the Swiss State Secretariat with Wits University. I recently completed the following for Economic Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland Green jobs courses in. Turin Italy. Concepts and here in South Africa, where I was the focal point for green Practices on Sustainable Development in Green jobs; investment development and trade promotion. I also served Green jobs and Climate Change resilient; Partnership as chair of the Southern African Specialist Group for the for Action on Green Economy (PAGE Academy). International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an international NGO headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. My career: In 2003, I was the first recipient of a scholarship award I started working for Van Greunen Attorney in 2008 as granted by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK, an administration clerk before I joined International which led me my graduation with a PhD from the University Labour Organization (ILO) in 2010. I am working with of Oxford. I have additional postgraduate qualifications in South African Department of Public Works under the biodiversity conservation and human rights. When I began my Expanded Public Works Programmes as the finance professional life, I started off as a research scientist, and did and administrative assistant to the project. My current field work in many African countries. interest is resolving climate and planet issues hence my training in Turin for those green jobs programmes. I am What are your dreams and aspirations? now a postgraduate diploma student for Sustainable The one that comes up most is to make a difference and help Development at Stellenbosch University. create a better world. My free time: What do you like doing in your free time? I recently joined a gym, so I spent most of my time there. Since I am from a partly-South African, partly-Swedish Otherwise I’m an indoor person so I like to read and spend family, I enjoy spending time with friends and family in natural time with family. environments in both continents. Attending cultural events and yoga are amongst my hobbies. I am a great enthusiast of My dreams and aspiration: indigenous plants and sustainable use. I would like to improve My dream is to be able to assist with solutions to climate my piano and singing ability. issues of today.

What is your motto in life? My motto in life: We are all living together on a single planet threatened by our Remember you only live once, so do what you do best and own actions. The most powerful force for justice and equality leave a trade mark for the future to see that you ever existed on this planet is human cooperation and serving others. when you are gone.

InFocus 30 A magazine of the UN in South Africa UN Games unite staff: South Africa to host the 2018 Africa UN Games # UNAFRICAGAMES2018

he United Nations in South Africa will host the 11th The intention of the games is to build a culture of UN Games in Mpumalanga Province from 31 August peace and tolerance by bringing UN staff together, to 2 September 2018, with competitors attending across national and other boundaries to promote Tfrom agencies across Africa. The event will feature a range understanding, mutual respect and under the UN’s of sports, including football, netball, volleyball, basketball, ‘Delivering as One’ approach. tennis, swimming, golf, athletics, darts, chess, table tennis, snooker and other fun games like egg race and sack race. This year’s UN Games are expected to bring teams All staff are eligible to compete for the countries in which from Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of they are stationed. the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Swaziland, Zambia and The UN recognizes the importance of sports for public Zimbabwe. All UN agencies in Africa are invited to form health and to raise awareness on Sustainable Development a national team and participate. Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and to promote the wellbeing all people at all ages. The African UN Games The Chair of the UN Games Local Organizing Committee have been held annually in Southern Africa since 2007. in South Africa, Siphelele Chingono of UNICEF, said that South Africa last hosted the games in 2012, and last year Team SA is determined to win this year after coming they were held in Lesotho. The African UN Games were second overall in 2017. “I am confident that Team established in parallel to the UN Inter-Agency Games which SA will win the games this year and we call on all UN have been hosted primarily in Europe and North America Staff to participate in the various games to make this a since 1971. success.”

he UN in South Africa working group on the Greening the This year the Greening the Blue Working Group will work with staff Blue, a United Nations-wide initiative launched in 2010 to to promote responsible paper consumption and waste management; raise awareness on sustainable issues involving UN staff and the reduction of fuel and gas emission for air and ground travel; and Texternal partners, has opened discussions with interested partners in responsible use of electricity and water. The group plans to send all an effort to jump start its plans for 2018. UN staff weekly information tips that could easily be applied at home or at work. The group plans to focus its work on reducing carbon footprint by the UN in South Africa by promoting efficient use of electricity and water, In South Africa, Greening the Blue is one of several working groups creating less waste, raising awareness of the UN’s carbon print to that function under the Operations Management Team. Janice Golding, identify ways of changing behaviour patterns in offices and at home. from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) chairs group, and The group will highlight results that have been achieved to date, how is deputised by Unice Mohlamonyane from the International Labour to build on them and mobilizing all staff to get involved. Organization (ILO).

InFocus 31 A magazine of the UN in South Africa UNHCR’s Conference Centre is OPEN FOR BUSINESS The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Regional Representation for Southern Africa in Pretoria is offering conferencing facilities to UN sister agencies, international organizations and diplomatic representations.

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