ISSUE 01. VOLUME 1 | JANUARY- MARCH 2018 A MAGAZINE OF THE UN IN SOUTH AFRICA

UN supports tracking of South Africa’s SDGs Progress

UNHCR thrust into the “politics of crumbs” as efforts to integrate refugees resisted

Deputy Secretary-General’s Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture CONTENTS

Refugee agency thrust into the “politics of crumbs” as efforts to integrate refugees resisted Efforts to foster peaceful co-exis- tence and local integration of re- fugees in South Africa continue des- pite challenges of recurring violence 4 and discrimination 28 Deputy Secretary- South Africa Model UN General’s Mandela debates finals held in Annual Lecture Johannesburg Deputy Secretary-General Amina Debates kick-off amidst excitement Mohammed visited South Africa to and funfare. deliver the 15th Nelson Mandela An- nual Lecture 2017 at the invitation of 8 the Nelson Mandela Foundation. InFocus A magazine of the UN in South Africa ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Vol.1 Issue 1. January - March 2018

10 Young Swazis get some Publisher neighbourhood care from South Dr. Rufaro Chatora, Africa UN Resident Coordinator a.i.

11 Global action in the fight Editorial Advisory Board against human trafficking and Zeenat Abdool (UNIC) migrant smuggling in South Africa Markku Akimos (UNHCR) Ethel Maringa (RCO) 12 15 Public Health Association of Ziyanda Ngoma (UNFPA) UN support towards South Africa urged to promote Sudeshan Reddy (UNICEF) South Africa’s SDGs National Health Insurance Masimba Tafirenyika (UNIC) Baseline Report in 2017 Report will track progress in imple- 18 UN’s contribution to Editorial Team menting SDGs. development in South Africa UNIC Pretoria

22 Investments in family planning Design INTERVIEWS reinforces gender empowerment Paddy Ilos, II (Africa Renewal)

6 Lilly Meyer 23 Working towards attaining Acknowledgements UNICEF’s own Florence Nightingale human rights The Editorial Advisory Board would like to express it gratitude to the Africa Section of the Department of Public Information for its 14 Yahya Amadou Ba 24 Sports trainers empowered to assistance in the design and layout of the InFocus magazine. Deputy Country Director for UNDP South build risk resilience youth in South Africa Africa Front cover photo: UN Deputy Secretary- 20 Kazumi Ikeda-Larhed 26 South Africa marks 16 Days of General delivering the Nelson Mandela Annual Deputy Director of Partnerships and Activism with focus on preventing Lecture in Cape Town. Back cover photo: UN South-South Cooperation Division gender-based violence staff at a UN Day event.

2 INFOCUS EDITORIAL NOTE

e are delighted to welcome you to the inaugural issue of InFocus, a magazine of the United Nations system in South Africa. Several UN agencies operating in this country publish their own inhouse publications. InFocus will highlight the work and operations of the W whole UN system in South Africa. In this inaugural issue, we have attempted to give readers 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.

We have not stopped there, but gone further and included articles on tech- nical issues such as the Strategic Cooperation Framework, formerly known as the UN Development Framework or UNDAF, a document that delves deep into the nitty-gritty of areas of cooperation between the UN and the Government of South Africa; and a piece on how the UN is implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

We have also included a section profiling new staff who have joined the organization.

Your feedback on this and future issues is crucial. It helps us to improve our work. We hope you will find this publication informative on what the UN is doing in South Africa and the priorities on which we channel our efforts.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 3 Refugee agency thrust into the “politics of crumbs” as efforts to integrate refugees resisted Efforts to foster peaceful co-existence and local integration of refugees in South Africa continue despite challenges of recurring violence and discrimination By Pumla Rulashe

Regugees returning to their communities in Inanda Township in Durban

little over a month in Inanda and neighbouring locations police on the arrest of his brother’s killers after the fatal shooting up in arms, demanding the arrest of the and UNHCR, Seifu buries his grief deep of his young brother perpetrators. within and carries on with his life and his in their small shop in As the South African Police Services business. Durban’s Inanda town- (SAPS) acted quickly to stamp out the vio- The 37-year old, who was forced to flee ship, Ethiopian refu- lence that ensued, Ethiopian refugee com- Ethiopia in 2009 following his vocal politi- Agee Melaku Seifu*continues running his munity leader, Tsegaye Negesse* claims, cal views, has reinforced the exterior of his small township business, knowing that “this gave some of our local business shop—a shipping container—with mesh he cannot go on for much longer. Accord- competitors the opportunity to once again, steel fencing and other security features ing to his countrymen, he is a shell of his try and remove us from the townships.” as deterrents. He has also employed a former self. The ploy has succeeded where Seifu local resident of the township to continue Seifu’s brother Abraham fell victim is concerned. He is worn out and tired of running the shop. to unknown assailants shortly after fake being a victim of repeated harassment The fortress that has now become news circulated on social media in June and attack. Seifu’s shop and only source of income, 2017, alleging that foreign nationals were Seifu has approached UNHCR, the is symbolic of the love-hate relationship behind the abduction and trafficking of UN Refugee agency for assistance with refugees have with the communities children. The story had township youth resettlement. As he waits to hear from the they serve and the running battles they

4 INFOCUS endure with their South African business fierce competition against each other, on Protection Working Group led to the arrest counterparts. the periphery of the township economy. of some of the perpetrators. Ahmed* is another refugee who is as With support from other agencies and equally a victim of harassment as Seifu. A CULTURE OF DISCRIMINATION partners, the office conducted a compre- The difference between them though is AND VIOLENCE hensive needs assessment and supported that he has no intentions of leaving South “The unintended consequences of this close to 3 000 asylum-seekers and refu- Africa. The Somali refugee businessman commercial exercise on small-scale gees through legal and human rights inter- arrived in the country 16 years ago and family-run businesses has not only been ventions, counselling and social support. started out as a hawker, selling domestic consistent loss of revenue but the per- “Today, UNHCR and its NGO part- items door-to-door, seven days a week. petuation of the cycle of poverty in the ners monitor attacks against refugees by “I started business from zero wearing townships.” assessing situations based on information shoes worn down by walking the streets,” “On top of that,” he continues, “the received from our persons of concern. We he recalls. “I endured insult, injury and all- influx of refugees and foreign nationals look into the factors leading to violence weather conditions and today, I own a retail also competing for the crumbs from the and the challenges presenting problems warehouse and employ 60 people, a large table of multi-million-dollar retail indus- to integration. We also undertake incident number of them South African.” tries has created an environment where verification exercises to quantify and qual- the locals who are in the majority attack ify the number of refugee businesses and RISING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT the minority who they feel pose a threat persons targeted, damaged or destroyed.” Before the violence that erupted in June, to their survival.” Ahmed owned five small shops in Kwa- “Xenophobia and a culture of discrimi- BROKERING PEACE Mashu, a township outside Durban and In the recent unrest in Durban, approxi- next to Inanda. Unlike Seifu, who has mately 45 refugee-owned businesses returned to rebuild his business, Ahmed in Inanda, KwaMashu and Chesterville has been advised against this as the townships were looted and destroyed. next time he comes under attack it could Through coordinated intervention have deadly consequences. I started my business involving the SAPS, ward councilors from The ominous warning has since kept from zero wearing affected sections within the townships, him out of KwaMashu and focused on his respected community elders, UNHCR and warehouse in Durban’s central business shoes worn down by its NGO partners, meet to broker peace district. walking the streets. I and iron out differences to enable refu- Accounts of refugee victimization and endured insult, injury gees to return back to the communities harassment in the competition for the usually yields the desired results. “crumbs of South Africa’s township econ- and all-weather The agency also encourages refugees omy,” is, according to William Zenzele, conditions and to insure their goods and the tools of their the President of the KwaZulu Natal Youth today, I own a retail trade such as electric clippers, combs, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, “an razor blades and capes to enable them to indication of the prolonged lack of eco- warehouse and re-stock small to get back on their feet. nomic development in many areas of the employ 60 people, a “UNHCR, is also very mindful of the country where crime is rife and unemploy- large number of them socio-economic challenges in these ment, particularly amongst the youth, is deprived communities which we are high.” South Africans. unable to address,” says Cooper. “We According to Trading Economics, are however heavily invested in including South Africa’s youth unemployment rate small numbers of South Africans in liveli- increased to almost 60% in the second nation and violence combined with the hood activities and life skills programmes quarter of 2017 from 54.3% in the first competition for limited jobs and resources for refugees.” quarter of the year. is a concern UNHCR addresses as practi- UNHCR prioritises and engages “It is some of this youth that become cally and as multi-faceted as possible,” closely with South Africa’s youth, usually the foot soldiers who do the bidding of says Sharon Cooper, UNHCR Regional at the forefront of xenophobia fueled loot- disgruntled township business owners Representative for southern Africa. ing and violence, on the plight, rights and bent on destabilizing refugee and for- To support the government’s efforts in obligations of refugees and other persons eign owned shops in the locations,” says addressing xenophobia following violent of concern. Negesse. attacks in 2015, UNHCR coordinated the UNHCR also supports public informa- Zenzele states that the proliferation of UN emergency response plan to support tion and education campaigns on the shopping malls in townships has, because the government’s early action to con- plight, rights and obligations of refugees of its multi-billion rand muscle, sidelined tain the attacks. Early warning mecha- undertaken by the Department of Home and pitched emerging entrepreneurs in nisms and advocacy by the UNHCR-led continued on page 15

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 5 INTERVIEW Easing the pain UNICEF’s own Florence Nightingale

Few things in life are more stressful than being severely injured and then being flown out of your country for medical assistance. Often, one is anxious, in pain—physical and emotional—and without friends or family to accompany you on the journey. It is in times like these that UNICEF lives up to the mantra of caring for its staff and their families. With some of the best medical facilities in the world, South Africa is a logical destination for patients from other African countries seeking medical assistance. For more than a decade, Lilly Meyer, the soft-spoken UNICEF South Africa’s human resources assistant and focal point on medical evacuation (medevac), is the “go-to person” for her colleagues and their families whenever they are medically evacuated to South Africa. Our interview is interrupted by a call from a colleague based in West Africa who needed Lilly’s advice on treatment in South Africa for a knee replacement surgery following a work-related injury. Patiently and methodically, Lilly explained the process and assured her she would be there to assist. As an acknowledgement of her compassion, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake awarded here a Certificate of Appreciation which is mounted proudly in her office. To find out more about what drives the dedication and care of this remarkable member of the UNICEF family, we sat down with Lilly Meyer:

What does your role in supporting medivac needs of the accompanying person as well. The actual patients entail? evacuation is usually undertaken by the company SOS International and they usually take the patient I am the liaison person for the medical evacuee, UN doctors, from, as we call it, “bed to bed”. receiving doctors in hospitals around South Africa, the country offices from which they reside from and their family members. I What type of support does the also regularly visit them and follow up on their welfare as part of UNICEF South Africa Country Office staff support and caring system while they are in South Africa provide? and even after they have left to return to their countries. Dealing with medivac cases can be complex and Tell us how a medivac process occurs? requires flexibility, commitment, coordination and communication at various levels. It cannot Our office usually receives an email or phone call from the be done on its own and needs support from dif- sending office informing us about the evacuee, which could ferent sections of the office, including human be a staff member or the dependant of a staff member. Some- resources, finance, administrative protocol times the patient travels on their own and sometimes they are and transport. In the very sad cases where the accompanied. When it is the latter, then I have to attend to the battle is lost, we also arrange the repatriation

6 INFOCUS of the deceased. In these cases, the rel- including translators. I then arrange evant embassies help and we sometimes doctor-to-doctor discussions and updates arrange a memorial service in South and arrange airport pickup and accommo- Africa for colleagues and friends who are dation while ensuring that the doctor in not able to travel to the country for the South Africa is kept informed throughout funeral. Since I joined the South Africa the process. My role is also to be a liaison Country Office, we have arranged 364 between the patient and their office when medivacs from 36 African countries. The needed. highest number was in 2011 when we supported 46 colleagues in total, some How challenging has your of whom had been injured in the Abuja experience been? bomb blast at the UN House in Nigeria. Psychologically, it is not an easy task to What type of support do you be dealing with the pain and trauma of as an individual provide? colleagues and their dependants and there are times when I also need emo- To ensure that all the paperwork is in tional support. I once had to accompany order, I liaise with the department of home the repatriation of the remains of a staff affairs and then inform the South African member to West Africa but during a stop- consulate or embassy in the country of over in East Africa, the remains had not origin to get them to expedite the visa. been transferred the connecting flight. I We also inform the embassy of have learned that at times things can be the sending country beyond my control but you just have to so they can manage as best you can. provide support, What motivates you to keep going?

The best reward is to see colleagues recover and heal completely. I am moti- vated by this as well as notes of appre- ciation from those who are healing and even from the offices, staff associa- tions and representatives of the sending country. This makes you realize it is not only the patient that is affected. It’s a humbling experience. I remember a staff member whom we had evacuated following a shooting incident saying to me, after his recovery in Johannesburg, “If I did not work for UNICEF I would be dead”. Comments like this help make my job worthwhile. Also, my family is very supportive, as when there is an emergency over the weekend and I need to travel to either the hospital or to where the medical evacuee is staying to support them. Of course, the support of the South Africa Country Office is invaluable and my colleagues also keep me going.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 7 Nelson Mandela’s Annual Lecture 2017 United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed visited South Africa to deliver the 15th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at the invitation of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Here are some quotes from her lecture, Centering Gender: Reducing Inequality Through Inclusion and Sustainability, in Cape Town on 25 November:

ON NELSON father and child – by race. The horrifying reality saddened MANDELA: me – that human beings could do that to one another. ■■ My feelings about Nelson Mandela – ■■ In the course of history, among great leaders, Mandela Madiba – are deep. towered – but he was the first to say he was not a perfect They are shared human…He noted that he was concerned that he not be across this country, regarded as a saint…He would have preferred to live as a this continent and man – to remind us that the possibility of such humanity our world…We all exists in each of us - than to be turned into a myth. stand today on his shoulders, with a ■■ Mandela confessed some qualities that could be considered shared sense of the flaws. But he manifested them as virtues. respect, admiration and pride for the feat that he ■■ He stared life-threatening danger in the face and refused to accomplished. be cowed. He lived through his family’s suffering for his long walk to freedom was also that of his nearest and dearest. ■■ As a young girl, my earliest When he declared that he was prepared to die for the ideal memory of the liberation struggle was when I was 11 years of a democratic and free society, this was not an academic old and I asked my father if we could visit South Africa. He promise even if it started as an ideal. sighed and said no, that was impossible for a family like ours of mixed heritage. Why not? I wanted to know. He tried ■■ Nelson Mandela taught that freedom is indivisible, noting to explain the unexplainable; that as constituted – black that “the chains on any one of my people were the chains on father, white mother – we would be breaking the law. In all of them; the chains on all of my people were the chains apartheid South Africa, we would be segregated – mother, on me.”

ON WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN LABOUR FORCE: ■■ On the economic front, if we look at the labour force we find ■■ We have evidence that one of the greatest predictors of women doing some of the most important work in society stability and resilience to conflict is levels of gender equality for the least compensation. Unpaid domestic work – which in a society, and that women’s meaningful participation in often involves taking care of loved ones – falls on three peace processes increases the sustainability of peace by times more women than men. 30% over the long term.

■■ The empowerment of women is more than a social impera- ■■ We could literally fill this tive or a matter of justice. It is essential to achieving sustain- entire hall with documents able development, protecting our environment and securing proving that well- peace. educated women who have equality in ■■ A report issued by the World Economic Forum last month political participation noted that it would take 217 years to equalize the pay and and the jobs market employment opportunities of men and women. Perhaps raise income for most disturbing is that this number has increased from the everyone – and 170 years researchers calculated a year ago – meaning that improve living we are in fact seeing the gender equality gap increasing standards for gen- rather than decreasing. erations to come.

8 INFOCUS ON GENDER EQUALITY: ■■ Socially, environmentally and politically, women have bread winners or aloof and distant fathers, we disempower proven that when you invest in them, you get results families and create public policies that don’t match for all. The question is how to build on these the reality of households. gains and achieve true gender equality. The answer is investment in women’s ■■ Gender inequality affects every one empowerment in all its ramifications of us. And addressing it is equally our along with a cultural shift in mindsets shared responsibility. That change will so that women’s equality is a given need to happen with our youth. in all societies. ■■ Just as the world came ■■ But gender is not equal to women. together to support the end of subju- Gender inequality, norms, and gation on the basis of race in this stereotypes affect men and women, country, we need today to birth a new girls and boys. When young boys are movement that calls for true equality, taught that it is not manly to cry, they everywhere. We as leaders must stand learn to suppress their emotions. When up and take collective responsibility for young men are taught that violence is our current failings but also for the actions masculine and accepted, we create the next we must take to end the conflict, injustice, generation of those who seek solutions at the inequality, corruption and ensure true inclusive barrel of a gun. When society dictates the role of men as democracy, peace and prosperity for our people.

ON SDGS: ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: ■■ It has been called a ‘declaration of interdependence’ com- ■■ The continuous battle of overcoming structural barriers posed of 17 Goals and 169 targets. The Goals represent as well as cultural and social challenges must be fought unprecedented ambition to free humankind from the with a new narrative that addressees the current context tyranny of want. They envisage transforming the way gov- and constituency of young people left behind. ernments interact with people, businesses interact with communities, and all of us interact with our environment. ■■ This country knows these statistics all too well. Read- ing the front page of a Johannesburg daily newspaper ■■ Women and girls are at the heart of the SDGs. These yesterday I saw similar facts – one in four women are the Goals can change history by ensuring women’s rights and victim of violent abuse, an estimated 100 rapes occur per leadership around the world. day, and half of children are abused before they turn 18.

■■ But we will only realize the potential of the SDGs if we ■■ Marginalized and younger women are particularly at risk, take seriously the values of inclusion and leaving no one and often suffer greater consequences. Young women behind. The sustainable change that we need to see will who experience intimate partner violence are 50% more only be possible if we are including young people – girls likely to have acquired HIV than women who have not and boys. experienced violence.

ON VIOLENT EXTREMISM ON CLIMATE CHANGE: ■■ One of the greatest threats to global security is violent ■■ No one can deny that climate change is real, manmade extremism. I have seen its effects in my own country and has a role in pushing up global temperatures – and around the world, and I have met with the survivors. and therefore we know mankind is responsible for Extremists of all types seek to curtail women’s rights and can address the problem before it is too late. The – the rights to education, health, political life; freedom signs are with us everywhere across the globe. of association and movement, and freedom to make choices.

■■Sadly, the context we face in our world today poses new threats beyond terrorism, we also face the major threat to security and development posed by climate change. Exacerbating poverty and vulnerability of the poorest in our societies.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 9 WFP Top: Five-year-old cousins Wendy, Nosipho and Bandile at the centre. Bottom: Children at Za5khele Neighbhourhood Care Point in Swaziland Young Swazis get some about to enjoy a hot meal. Photo: WFP/David Orr neighbourhood care from South Africa How a contribution from the government of South Africa helped the World Food Many of the smallholders have expressed satisfaction that Programme to assist vulnerable children their produce was being used in a spirt of ‘Ubuntu’ to help vul- nerable children in neighbouring Swaziland. The NCPs provide in neighbouring Swaziland a safe place for 52,000 disadvantaged boys and girls to access By David Orr early education while receiving meals and health care. For the past few years, five-year-old cousins Wendy, Nos- waziland — a landlocked country almost entirely ipho and Bandile have been attending classes at Zakhele NCP, contained within the northeast corner of South just outside one of Swaziland’s largest towns, Manzini. They live Africa — faces numerous challenges including poverty, with parents or relatives in a nearby compound consisting of S chronic food insecurity and high levels of HIV/AIDS. some 20 simple stick-and-mud huts. These are very poor fami- Like other countries in the region, it is only now emerging from lies with little or no work. The carers at the NCP say all three the shadow of two successive years of drought caused by the El children showed signs of malnutrition when first they started Niño weather phenomenon. coming to the centre. That is why the World Food Programme was so pleased to Swaziland is one of the countries in the region that was have received a contribution of nearly US$3 million (ZAR40 hardest hit by drought in recent years. Some 640,000 million) from the South African government to provide food people — nearly half the population — faced some level of food assistance for the orphans and other vulnerable children who insecurity during the peak of the 2016–17 lean season. attend the country’s Neighbourhood Care Points (NCPs). The longer-term effect of contribution serves an important With these funds, WFP purchased thousands of metric tons role in reaching the goals of sustainable development both in of maize, beans and vegetable oil for its NCP assistance pro- South Africa and the region. gramme in Swaziland. A significant proportion of the maize and pulses was sourced from smallholder farmers in South Africa. The support from South Africa enabled WFP to resume food distributions to the NCPs in August 2017. These had to be sus- pended in mid-2016 due to lack of funding for the programme and, in the interim, many centres struggled to survive. But now, disadvantaged boys and girls at the NCPs have started once again receiving daily hot meals. As part of its NCP food assistance programme, WFP is attempting to source 40% of the maize and 100% of the beans directly from smallholder farmers in South Africa. The idea is to empower smallholder farmers in South Africa by providing them with greater market access for their products, while ensuring that small business and emerging millers are integrated into the entire value chain.

10 INFOCUS UNODC Global action in the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling in South Africa

outh Africa is one of the pri- smuggled migrants. For trafficking, on human trafficking for criminal justice mary destinations for trafficked different government departments often practitioners in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, persons in Africa. It is also used produce their own statistics, disaggre- which was attended by 62 participants, S as a country of origin or transit gated according to diverse factors. Gaps the majority of them women. point for those trafficking to Europe in identifying trafficked persons, par- The aim of the workshop was to and North America. The trafficking ticularly those not trafficked for sexual identify and investigate cases of human involves women, men and children who exploitation, also hamper data collection. trafficking and strengthen victim referral are exploited by being forced to work, mechanisms; increase the provision of engange in commercial sex, commit victim protection, including the appropri- crime and beg in the streets. ate issuance of letters of recognition for With internal trafficking, girls are the victims; identify suspected cases moved from rural to urban areas for while providing correct follow-up and sexual exploitation and domestic ser- Often powerful referral mechanisms; and to strengthen vitude while boys are often forced into and well-resourced the handling and prosecution of cases. child labour and criminal activities. It’s The workshop proved to be such a worth noting that trafficking frequently interests do not take success to the participants that UNDOC involves criminal networks dominated these crimes seriously plans for hold similar workshops in by different nationalities in different enough. other provinces. Prior to the workshop, locations. UNODC had held its first information- In response to this practice, the sharing workshop in Pretoria in June United Nations Office on Drugs and 2017, which brought together key stake- Crime (UNODC) and the European Union As a result, in April 2017, UNODC holders to develop plans on how South launched the Global Action to Prevent and the department of home affairs Africa should respond comprehensively and Address Trafficking in Persons started a research study on the migrants to cases of trafficking of persons and and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO. smuggling. The study, which is expected smuggled migrants. ACT) in South Africa in September 2016. to last until the end of 2018, will collect The four-year joint initiative is being data from all of South Africa’s nine implemented in partnership with the provinces. The data will facilitate policy International Organization for Migration decisions based on collected evidence, (IOM) and UNICEF. particularly in view of the fact that At the launch, the former Minister the home affairs department is of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, noted: currently drafting a legislative “Often powerful and well-resourced inter- bill on smuggled migrants, ests do not take these crimes seriously which UNODC hopes to enough,” adding, “When questioned support. they reply, ‘What is the rate of child or A secondary women trafficking?’, as if to suggest that priority for UNODC one person smuggled or trafficked is an is the provision of acceptable figure.” capacity building The GLO.ACT programme was to increase the expected to be implemented across 15 efficiency of southern African countries . It focuses criminal justice on assisting governments, civil society practitioners to organizations as well as the victims of respond to the trafficking and smuggled migrants. trafficking of per- The key challenge of the programme sons and smug- in South Africa is to address the lack gled migrants. In of systematic collection and analy- July 2017, UNODC sis of data on trafficked persons and hosted a workshop

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 11 UN supports South Africa’s efforts to track SDGs progress By Lindiwe Dhlamini

outh Africa is working to bring the 2030 the UN, to ensure that all partners are equally engaged to Agenda for Sustainable Development provide substantive inputs into Statistics South Africa’s and the Sustainable Development Goals four sectoral working groups on SDGs indicators: social; (SDGs) to the core of its development environment; economic and partnerships as well as agenda. The country’s National Develop- peace, safety and governance. The first stage involves ment Plan: Vision 2030, aims to achieve finalizing South Africa’s Indicator Baseline Report on Sits goals within the same timeframe as the 17 SDGs and SDGs which will form the foundation for future tracking thus provide an opportunity for convergence and align- of progress towards the SDG targets in preparation for ment of the two agendas. the country’s first SDGs Report which will be out in 2019. The SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, are To this end, the UN has commissioned research in designed to build on the “unfinished business” from the support of the government, including a Background Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by embracing a Paper on Environmental Dimensions of Sustainable comprehensive vision of sustainable development that recognises the link between the economic, social and environmental development. To date, a lot of work has gone into mobilizing partners within the private and public sectors, civil society, financial development institutions and the academia, as well as

12 INFOCUS country office’s economic adviser, Fatou led by the Governance Programme Manager, Leigh, observed that innovation and technol- Bongani Matomela, has been working with ogy has changed the way data is collected, non-state actors in developing and applying processed and used in recent years. It was the indicator framework and the first country therefore important to question the tradi- baseline report on Goal 16 to track progress. tional ways of data gathering and dissemina- In March 2017, the African Policing Civilian tion. She questioned whether it was neces- Oversight Forum (APCOF) was contracted sary to wait for ten years before conducting to develop a mechanism to strengthen the a population census. participation of South African civil society She further noted that as important as in monitoring Goal 16. South Africa is one of data was, funding for it was not prioritised the seven pilot countries around the world in many countries and was therefore not to initiate this study using funds from the adequate, predictable and sustainable. This US Agency for International Development was particularly relevant to the SDGs. She (USAID). called for all stakeholders to identify cham- Over a period of eight months, the project, pions within their organisations who would among others, developed a gaps analy- advocate for data funding. sis on the proposed monitoring framework According to Ms. Leigh, it was important developed by Statistics South Africa; held to build strong alliances and partnerships to two national multi-stakeholder consultations promote transparency and accountability in designed to strengthen civil society’s capac- the generation and use of data. She urged ity to monitor and implement SDGs; and national statistics offices to work more closely designed an accessibility tool to empower with other sources such administrative data, communities to take an active role in meas- social media and the uring and reporting private sector. on progress towards In view of these Goal 16; and demon- observations, UN strated the use of the officials note that accessibility tool in the UN should con- The SDGs, adopted Orange Farm, a poor sider assisting Sta- by the United Nations township south of tistics South Africa’s Johannesburg. ISIbalo Capacity in 2015, are designed The exercise is Building Programme to build on the designed to align that aims to build “unfinished business” the UN’s work with African statistical current government capacity relevant to from the MDGs. programmes in its African challenges. efforts to leave no The UN could also one behind. Accord- consider giving support to the government’s ing to a senior official from Statistics South Development Goals (SDGs) in South Africa’s newly-launched Centre for Regional and Africa, this was the first engagement of its National Development Plan (NDP) prepared Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration. kind involving the government, civil society by Prof. Godwell Nhamo, and The South and the UN. Entities that contributed to the Africa Country Data Report: A survey of PARTNERSHIPS alignment process included the National data sources for the indicators relating to the SDG 16 seeks to promote peaceful and inclu- Alliance for the Development of Community Sustainable Development Goals, prepared by sive societies for sustainable development, Advice Officers, the National Alliance for Prof. Jean-Paul Van Belle. provide access to justice for all and build Non-Governmental Organizations of South effective, accountable and inclusive institu- Africa, the Department of Planning, Monitor- IMPORTANCE OF DATA TO SDGS tions at all levels. At the global level, UNDP ing and Evaluation, the Department of Public Following the first ever UN World Data has been mandated to assist countries in Service and Administration, the Office of the Forum held in Cape Town in early 2017, developing indicators to track progress on High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) this goal. To this end, the UN in South Africa, UNDP.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 13 INTERVIEW Yahya Amadou Ba Deputy Country Director for UNDP South Africa Yahya Amadou Ba is the new Deputy Country Director responsible for operations for the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa. InFocus’ Zeenat Abdool sat down with him to talk about his new assignment. Prior to this appointment, he held a similar position with UNDP in Tanzania.

Q: What exactly does your position As you know, DRC is a post-conflict I’m signing or approving is right and entail? country. Tanzania is not like South Africa, legitimate. That is very important and I A: I am the second in authority in the which is a middle-income country. I need to be very attentive. I think in this UNDP in South Africa. I report to the wanted to have experience from a more office I’m very fortunate because my col- country director and I am in charge developed country like South Africa. I leagues are very professional. In terms of all the operations of the office— think the challenges are different. I used of capacity, we have all the managers from finance to procurement, human to work on emergencies to fix issues and we need, we just need to put in place resources, information technology, to help build capacities in a post-conflict standard operating procedures to be logistics and everything else that nobody environment. But now I am here in South more transparent in our work. But I think wants to handle. They come to me and Africa where all the difficult issues have we have a good team. I fix it. One of my functions is to work already been resolved and the level of together with the UN agencies so that support and engagements are different. On a lighter note, what do you like we are more efficient and effective in It’s a new challenge that I wanted to face. about being in South Africa? Is it delivering our mandates. your first time here? Which areas of the UN in South To be honest, what I enjoy is to be at What type of skills are needed for Africa need improvement or you are Menlyn Mall [laughs]. I work hard and this position? hoping to improve? I leave the office at around 7 or 8pm. I think we need broad skills but for me, I have been here for just two months. I When I get home I’m so tired. I expect what brought me to this position is don’t pretend to know everything about that by the end of the year I will go out my background and education. I am a South Africa but from my initial assess- and visit some tourist sites and also go certified public accountant and got my ment, we need to improve on common into the countryside in other provinces to certificate in Senegal. I used to be an services, how we can work together as see what is out there. auditor in the private sector. I then went the UN. Because if every UN agency is to UNDP where my main skill is to be operating separately without mobilizing What do you do in your spare time? someone who is ready to support and to our resources as one entity, then we will What are your hobbies? work hard. If you don’t want to work hard not be effective. I want to work with my When I leave the office and I’m home, I and even in emergency situations then other counterparts in UN agencies to just pray and watch TV and then go to this position is not for you. You need to see how and where we can cooperate to bed. But by early morning, at 5am, I go to have knowledge in procurement, finance, deliver efficient services. Virgin Active gym to exercise and then human resources and in building rela- around 8am I am here tions with partners and suppliers; this is What are some of the challenges in the office. I very important. I think the main skill you you face in this position? Managing like sports need for this position is someone who money must be tough! and running, can manage and deliver results based It’s not about the amount of money, those are on best value for money. We want quality it’s about principle, every dollar or rand my hob- but also at a good price for procurement counts. We are managing public funds bies. or other activities. and it gives us an obligation and commit- ment to be very selective and transparent You previously held positions in the in managing those public funds. Every Democratic Republic of the Congo time I have to approve something or to (DRC) and Tanzania. What motivated sign a cheque, I have to be very seri- you to come to South Africa? ous about it and make sure that what

14 INFOCUS WHO UNHCR thrust into the “politics ... Public Health from page 5

Association of South Affairs, the Department of Social Devel- opment and respected human rights Africa urged to organizations. This is to ensure that communities are better informed about promote National the reasons leading to refugee crises and the obligations South Africa has towards Health Insurance those seeking protection.

he Public Health Association of INTEGRATING WITH LOCAL South Africa (PHASA) should COMMUNITIES voice its support of, and promote “Working with the South African gov- T the country’s proposed National ernment and other institutions is critical Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, says if we’re going to provide refugees who the country representative of the World have fled persecution and have lost the Health Organization in South Africa, Dr. protection of their countries, the oppor- Rufaro Chatora. tunity to start over again,” adds Cooper. “I scan the media every day and I hear Many township residents complain the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoal- however that refugees do very little to edi’s lone voice promoting NHI. However, ensure their integration at community there is almost nothing from PHASA,” Dr. level. Complaints that refugees from Chatora told participants at the PHASA’s particular countries are aloof, isolate 13th annual conference held recently in themselves and are disinterested in the Johannesburg, South Africa. community they supposedly serve, are The NHI scheme is South Africa’s unfortunately quite common. strategy to move towards universal health Ahmed* disputes this. “I have made coverage guided by international frame- all kinds of overtures to engage my works of the United Nations such as the Dr Rufaro Chatora South African counterparts with the aim Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of assisting them glean business skills particularly Goal 3 on ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all from refugee traders but all of them have ages. been ignored.” NHI also aims to meet the World Health Organizations (WHO)’s frameworks on “This makes me believe that it is not moving towards universal health coverage whose goals are access to essential qual- just our business practices that pose a ity health services, financial risk protection, and responsiveness. Achieving universal threat to some local business people. It health coverage will contribute significantly towards realising the vision of a long and is our very presence.” healthy life for South Africans. Irrespective of what the case may The conference reflected on the World Federation of Public Health Associations be, UNHCR strongly urges refugees to (WFPHA) and WHO collaboration on “A Global Charter for the Public’s Health” and its actively participate in lawful community- implications for public health in South Africa. Four enabling functions of the Charter: based activities to better facilitate their governance, capacity, information and advocacy were examined during the conference, integration in the townships. including how these can be strengthened in South Africa. For Seifu* though, “Enough is The conference was attended by over 300 national and international participants enough. I can’t continue living like this.” spanning the spectrum of public health including academia, researchers, students, Ahmed, on the other hand is adamant, administrators and civil society. Dr. Chatora’s presenta- “My family and I are going nowhere.” He tion also addressed South Africa’s global commitments says he has no intentions of starting over such as the International Health Regulations 2005, again in any other part of the world. “I examining how PHASA can strengthen the country’s have done all the starting over I am going work to attain these commitments. He also emphasized to do. South Africa is the only home the important role South Africa could play to support my children know and Africa is where I public health in other African countries through its choose to remain.” strong institutions such as the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, WHO Collaborating Centres *Names have been changed to protect and Universities. the identity of refugees interviewed.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 15 Inter-generational dialogue with Soul City Rise Young Women’s Club. L-R and UN Deputy Secretary- General Amina Mohammed, Graca Machel, UN Women SAMCO Representative Anne Githuku- Shongwe, Acting UN Resident Coordinator Rufaro Chatora. Deputy Minister for Social Development Hon Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu & UN Women SAMCO Representative Anne Githuku-Shongwe at the Edgars UNiTE Western Cape Finale.

Panelists at a discussion on migrants and refugees on International Migrants Day. UNHCR’s launch of the LuQuLuQu campaign in South Africa with High-Level Influencers.

Model UN debates student at the finals in Johannesburg. Gana Fofang, former UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa.

16 INFOCUS Model UN debates students.

Deputy Minister for Social Development Hon Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu & UN Women SAMCO Representative Anne Githuku-Shongwe at the Edgars UNiTE Western Cape Finale.

Table Mountain lit orange to spotlight 16 Days of Activism. UNHCR’s launch of the LuQuLuQu campaign in South Africa with High-Level Influencers.

UNAIDS Director (South Africa) Mbulawa Mugabe (left) and Executive Director Michel Sidibé (cen- Gana Fofang, former UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa. tre) greet Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi in Cape Town in November 2017.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 17 UN’s contribution to development in South Africa The Strategic Cooperation Framework: Progress Report

his is a summary of the contribution of the United Nations agencies to South Africa’s development between 2013 and 2015 in line with the UN Strategic Cooperation Framework (SCF). It examines the gov- ernance structures supporting the implementation of the SCF, and draws key lessons for strengthening Tfuture cooperation between South Africa and the UN. UN’s support during this period was based on the recom- mendations of the review, “Joint Evaluation of the Role and Con- tribution of the United Nations System in South Africa (JERC)”, commissioned by the South African government and the UN in 2008/2009.

CHALLENGES OF THE UN-GOVERNMENT RELA- TIONSHIP The review identified several coordination challenges between the UN and various government departments. Among them were the absence of thorough review mechanisms of UN programmes in line with the SCF; the absence of South African development framework, the National Development Plan (NDP), to government representation in appropriate structures at the eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and address unemployment. UN; the incongruousness of planning cycles; the translation of The UN has worked with various government departments on global agendas/multilateral agreements into national ones; lim- multiple programmes since the roll-out of the SCF in 2013. ited resources available from the government for UN-supported The UN has also worked closely with civil society, the private programmes; the absence of a rigorous coordination structure sector and other partners to advance this shared agenda through within the government; shortage of staff at UN agencies; limited the four SCF pillars: inclusive growth and decent work; sustainable incentives for joint programming between UN agencies; and, a development; human capabilities; governance and participation. high-level of transition in government and at the UN. Most of the outputs as envisaged in the SCF are on track. Detailed contributions made by the UN and progress to date at an output REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS level are provided in the Annexures. In response to these challenges, the report recommended that although individual UN agency programmes were well coordi- UN CONTRIBUTIONS nated within the mechanisms established with lead or sectoral The UN has contributed to the discussions, formulation and government departments, overall, the UN needs to engage more implementation of government policies the knowledge and often and in a more coordinated way with government and, as a research products supported by various agencies operating in first step towards this, that entry points are determined and vari- South Africa. ous government portfolios are consistently approached for their advice and involvement with SCF programmes. INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND DECENT WORK One of the overarching recommendations of the JERC was for The UN supported the first pillar through interventions across the UN to ‘deliver as one’, hence the UN Country Team put meas- provinces and, to some extent, within local and national govern- ures in place to ensure that UN agencies organize and coordinate ment spheres. Many of the interventions focused on technical their activities in a more synchronized and harmonized manner support and addressed unemployment issues through Small, while avoiding duplication. Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). These included the Holistically, the UN’s focus in South Africa to support the Supplier Development Programme (SDP), which implemented government in addressing the triple challenges of the country’s in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

18 INFOCUS and the Department of Small Business HUMAN CAPABILITIES protection to informal workers, among Development (DSBD). The third pillar focuses on promoting others. The SDP is an in-depth programme equality and equity in access to early that provides mentorship to selected childhood development, basic education, GOVERNANCE AND SMMEs and businesses that show the health, nutrition and social welfare ser- PARTICIPATION potential, with support, to become suppli- vices aimed at combatting poverty. The In addressing the final pillar, the UN con- ers to larger companies. The goals of the UN provided support to advance women’s tributed substantive technical support, SDP are to enable SMMEs to participate and girls’ empowerment and reproductive programme implementation and coordi- in global markets, to generate and release rights, including for the most vulnerable nation to the Department of Public Service capital for the investment in fixed assets and marginalized women, children and and Administration in its bid for institu- and to contribute to the industrialization of adolescents. tion building, professionalizing the public the country’s strategic sectors. Programmes to strengthen human sector, strengthening integrated service The UN has also provided techni- capabilities focus on generation of evi- delivery, and improving employment con- cal support to the DSBD in formulating dence, including through pilot and dem- ditions and labour relations. the National Informal Business Strategy onstration initiatives. They also aim to At the same time, the UN facilitated a approved by cabinet in the first quarter of strengthen the capacity and to provide knowledge-exchange programme, which 2015, as well as the Department of Rural expert technical support to improve the contributed to a national consultative pro- Development and Land Reform to develop quality of basic education, the quality of cess led by the Public Service Commis- key policies and legislation on land reform mother, newborn and child health, as well sion, which developed a Concept Paper as a key to address inequality. The UN fur- as sexual and reproductive health services, on building a capable, career-oriented ther assisted the government to develop and access to social protection in South professional public service to strengthen relevant tools to assess the employment Africa. a capable developmental state. The UN impact of its public invest- also assisted government ment programmes such as the to improve access to land Expanded Public Works Pro- and quality health services gramme and the Community through health systems Works Programme. strengthening. These initiatives include SUSTAINABLE development of the National DEVELOPMENT Strategy to prevent HIV drug The second pillar supports resistance; support for the South Africa’s ambition to Department of Health in achieve an environmentally reviewing the Medical Male sustainable and equitable Circumcision policy; technical transition towards a low-car- support in the revision of the bon climate resilient economy, HIV Counselling and Test- as expressed in the NDP. Fol- ing policy; and support for lowing a request from South the review of the changes on Africa’s Department of Envi- infant HIV-testing indicators. ronmental Affairs in 2013, Overall, UN agencies in the UN commissioned a study to assess UN agencies assisted in developing, South Africa have provided technical and potential opportunities and options to implementing and reviewing national advisory support to national partners in promote a green economy, with a focus on policies. These included reviewing the their efforts to develop, improve and imple- key economic sectors set out by the NDP. Maternal Nutrition, Children’s Health ment enabling policies that meets that The assessment shows that strengthening Strategy 2012-2016, implementing the meets the objectives of the SCF. In the natural resource management and envi- new National Contraception and Fertil- future, this support can be strengthened ronmental protection was key to sustained ity Planning Policy and Guidelines, and through better coordination with govern- economic growth and wellbeing. developing the National Youth Policy ment, allowing for regular consultation, After the 2008 Libreville Declaration 2015-2020 and the National Early Child- engagement and information sharing. on Health adopted by 52 countries, includ- hood Development Policy. The UN also As outlined in communications between ing South Africa, the country developed a supported research and to improve the South Africa’s National Treasury and Climate Change Health Adaptation Plan effectiveness and efficiency of imple- the UN, this would avoid the challenges and conducted a situational analysis and menting existing policies, including, for of fragmented approaches, ad hoc and needs assessment on health and the envi- example, the Child Grant Exclusion Study infrequent reporting, duplication of efforts ronment with technical support from the in close cooperation with South Africa’s both within the UN and between the UN UN. Following this, the UN put together a Social Security Agency, as well as ana- and government departments, and reduce set of indicators for monitoring purposes. lyzing policy options in extending social transaction costs.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 19 INTERVIEW Kazumi Ikeda-Larhed The Deputy Director of the Partnerships and South-South Cooperation Division of the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Kazumi Ikeda-Larhed, recently visited South Africa and sat down with InFocus’ Zeenat Abdool for an interview on FAO’s internship programme for South African youth.

20 INFOCUS Q: Could you explain what your programmes could be a channel through role entails as the Deputy Director which South African youth could be of Partnerships and South-South mobilized to become agents for change Cooperation for FAO? to assist in attaining SDGs on poverty and Right now, only 10% hunger. We had a very good discussion A: Our division is responsible for with the acting director-general of the consolidating and expanding our multi- of the internship Department of Agriculture, Forestry and stakeholder partnerships. South-South programme Fisheries. As one of our key partners in cooperation is a very important means participants come government, his department is fully sup- to expand partnership relations. South portive of our programmes. Unfortunately, Africa is one of the key partner coun- from Africa and FAO has not been working closely with tries for FAO. My division’s task is to we have none South African youth, so we need to reach out to different stakeholders such from South Africa. change that. as governments, the private sector, civil society, organizations for farmers and This is obviously FAO has held outreach seminars at women, the academia and the media. not working and I universities. What are they about? We are trying to forge partnerships would like to bridge on the 17 Sustainable Development We recently restructured the FAO intern- Goals (SDGs), especially the goal on this missing link ship programme to make it more globally partnerships. by reaching out to inclusive. We looked at the trends over local youth through the past five years and found that 71% of What brings you to South Africa? participants in the internship programme support to the FAO come from across the globe but consist- It is part of my strategic outreach country office in ing of mainly Europeans and Americans. missions. I have lived in South Africa Pretoria so that we This is good but we would also like to see before and I know how important this more African students coming to work country is in terms of engagement, not can really see a with FAO through this programme. Our only within the southern African region difference. priority now is to generate more interest or African continent, but also beyond. among youth from universities in South South Africa is an important player in Africa and other parts of Africa. Right now, ending hunger and also in ensuring nutri- only 10% of the internship programme tion and food security for all. participants come from Africa and we have none from South Africa. This is obviously not working and I would like to bridge You said one of the objectives of your visit is to engage this missing link by reaching out to local youth through support with youth in attaining food security or achieving SDG 2 to the FAO country office in Pretoria so that we can really see on zero hunger. How do you plan to achieve this? a difference. The average period of internships in FAO is three to eleven months which is combined with class rooms learning My division recently re-launched the FAO’s global internship, and real-life learning opportunities that give students exposure volunteers and fellows programmes with youth as our primary to the work of the UN and the prospects of career opportunities. target, especially university students and high school gradu- We accept applications from anybody interested in the intern- ates. This is one concrete way that FAO can work with the ship programme and I would really like to encourage students youth. There is vast talent within the South African youth. But in South Africa to apply through the FAO website. Applicants so far FAO has not really been harnessing this potential among are required to apply online, together with a motivation letter. young women and men. These internship and fellowship Is there a plan to extend these out- reach seminars beyond Pretoria and Cape Town?

We work with faculty members and senior management of the universities who help us to disseminate information throughout the country. This is just the beginning. We have also discussed the programme with our government counterparts. We plan to have nationwide engagements through Farm inspection with Dr. Lewis Hove (in glasses), FAO Regional Director workshops and seminars. We have already for Southern Africa and Acting Country Representative in South Africa. received more than a thousand applications so far but not one from South Africa.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 21 UNFPA Investments in family planning reinforces gender empowerment

ore than 500 young men and women from South Dlamini, reminded people to consider the practical ways of opti- Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province recently attended mising the youth bulge and the necessary investments needed a youth camp on sexual reproductive health and to reap the demographic dividend, including through access to M rights as part of activities to mark the annual World health care, quality education, employment and business oppor- Population Day. The function was organized by the United tunities for young people. Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collabora- “Access to safe, voluntary sexual and repro- tion with South Africa’s Department of Social ductive health services, including family plan- Development and the Siyakwazi Youth Network. ning, is central to gender equality and women’s In his remarks at the ceremony, which was empowerment, and is a key factor in reducing held at the Edendale Lay Ecumenical Centre in poverty,” Minister Dlamini noted. “Investments Pietermaritzburg, the UNFPA Officer-In-Charge, Access to safe, in family planning thus create a reinforcing Barnabas Yisa, acknowledged the leadership voluntary cycle of empowerment, supporting healthy, role played by the South African government educated and economically productive women in promoting sexual reproductive and health sexual and and families.” rights, women’s empowerment and advancing reproductive She appealed to young people to define the agenda of the 1994 International Conference health services their own destiny, have a set of priorities and on Population Development (ICPD). The 1994 goals to advance their lives and to seek family conference articulated a bold new vision about is central to planning services so that their education is not the relationships between population, develop- gender equality disrupted. The Minister’s address was followed ment and individual well-being. and women’s by an interactive discussion with the young Mr. Yisa further commended the government people on social and economic issues affecting for taking strong action to address the chal- empowerment. them. lenges facing young people, particularly girls, The successful commemoration of the 2017 and its commitment to focus on adolescents World Population Day and the youth camp was and youth, women and girls. He assured that UNFPA would based on the organizers’ intention to not only raise awareness “continue to walk with the South African Government on [the] on the issues that affect vulnerable groups but also to develop path towards making access to family planning a reality for their competencies and self-esteem, by focussing attention on every woman and girl”. promoting healthy habits, ensuring access to education and In her keynote address, the Minister employment information and opportunities as well as to repro- of Social Develop- ment, Bathabile ductive health services.

UNFPA’s Officer-in-Charge, Barnabas Yisa (left) greeting Minister of Social Development Dr. Bathabile Dlamini.

22 INFOCUS OHCHR Working towards attaining human rights

By Jean Fokwa Tsafack and Tshepo Tlhacoane At this workshop, delegates learned how to prepare a shadow report on the t’s difficult to get people to respect recently teamed up with the local office Convention on the Elimination of all human rights in an environment of UN Women in organizing a two-day Forms of Discrimination Against Women where little is known on what exactly workshop in Johannesburg to sensitise (CEDAW) and how NGOs could work I those rights entail. In many countries, representatives from non-governmental with UN human rights treaty bodies. civil society organizations play a key role organizations (NGOs) on the UN Human Further, the delegates also learned how in educating people and raising public Rights Treaty System. It also aimed to to use the CEDAW convention and the awareness around human rights. raise awareness on the role of NGOs concluding observations in their advo- The role of raising awareness is one in the processes of the treaty body. cacy to promote and protect the rights of of the major responsibilities of the Office Participants included representatives women and achieve gender equality in of the High Commissioner for Human from NGOs such as the Centre for the South Africa. Rights (OHCHR). In South Africa, this Study of Violence and Reconciliation, These workshops are invaluable as role is played by the OHCHR’s Regional the Tswaranang Legal Advocacy Centre, they not only educate participants on the Office for Southern Africa based in the People Opposing Violence Against UN Human Rights Treaty System, but capital, Pretoria. Women and the Foundation for Human also inform them of the various avenues As part of its Treaty Body Capac- Rights. available to achieve their goals in protect- ity Building Programme, the OHCHR ing human rights in their societies.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 23 UNODC Sports trainers empowered to build risk resilience youth in South Africa

LULU certified trainers. UNODC

o keep young people from the project’s pre-pilot phase to evaluate “It is great to interact with such moti- getting into trouble, one needs its feasibility. vated trainers and talk about risk and to keep them busy. With this in So far, under the LULU curriculum, protective factors related to youth crime T mind, the UN Office for Drugs organizers have trained 15 coaches from and drug use,” said Oihana Rementeria, and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration South Africa’s Western Cape’s “Mass a life-skills training expert supporting with the South Africa’s Western Cape participation; Opportunity and access; UNODC in the design and delivery of Province’s Department of Cultural Development and growth” (MOD) Pro- LULU. “They work in communities that Affairs and Sport, started training sports gramme. The training involves a set of experience difficulties, they know the coaches in September 2017 to implement interactive sessions consisting of theo- problems that exist there, and are well- a new curriculum dubbed, “Line Up Live retical lessons on risk and protective fac- placed to provide safe spaces for young Up” (LULU) whose aim is to prevent tors that instil positive social behaviour people to develop healthy lives, free from crime and drug abuse by youth. in youth, the impact of sports, and some violence and drug use.” The training is part of UNODC’s practical exercises. Ashlin September, a MOD centre par- global programme on implementing the The coaches are viewed as “after- ticipant, noted: “In some places, children 2015 Doha declaration on crime preven- school game changers” who provide are so used to gang shootings they don’t tion and criminal justice. The programme sports coaching to youth at public even duck anymore. As sport coaches, emphasizes crime prevention initiatives schools from the rural West Coast and we want to be part of the solution to the targeting youth most at risk of commit- urban Kraaifontein districts in the West- gang problem in our society and we think ting offences. It also is also tied to the ern Cape Province. Both areas have rela- this course helps us to do just that.” Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 tively high crime and drug-abuse rates. The certified trainers will teach the on sustainable cities and communities, During the training, the coaches LULU curriculum to youth in their dis- and Goal 16 on promoting peace, justice are taught processing and debriefing tricts as part of the pre-pilot project, while and strong institutions. exercises, which allow youth to link they receive mentoring support from In early 2018, UNODC plans to start knowledge and skills acquired through UNODC. During the 2018 pilot project, a pilot project designed to implement various activities to challenges faced in UNODC plans to raise awareness and its LULU curriculum for youth in Cape everyday life. This offers the coaches the provide non-governmental and commu- Town and Johannesburg. The project will opportunity to use sport as a vehicle of nity-based organisations an opportunity be run through a process whose impact social and personal skills development to use the LULU curriculum in their daily would be assessed and efficiency meas- by addressing individual crime and drug work. ured. Currently UNODC is implementing risk factors.

24 INFOCUS UNICEF reminded of the value of water and the need to conserve it. Handwashing: Keeping children healthy The process of hand-washing is itself a learned practice Washing hands time!” announces Isaac Mazibuko, and part of the social the Principal of Sishila Primary School, outside Nel- Based on a system behaviour the children are spruit in eastern South Africa. used by UNICEF taught in groups by their “ His call is met within seconds by a long and orderly in Zambia, teachers on the proper queue of students outside a modest brick structure on the way of washing hands— school grounds. It is this structure that houses a three-metre the water taps from wrists to fingertips. long pipe, with 17 nozzles. And it is under a tin roof where are relatively Students who do not little hands are washed and teeth are brushed prior to the wash their hands properly student’s daily meal provided by the National School Nutri- inexpensive or are eagerly rushing are tion Programme. (costing around gently reminded by their With funding secured by UNICEF from Kimberly Clark R3,000 or $230 teachers to do it properly. Corporation, a U.S. multinational personal care company, The teachers receive a water station was built on the school grounds and soap, to install) and training on hand-washing toothpaste and toothbrushes provided in partnership with durable, and play from learner support the Mpumalanga Department of Education and the non- a critical role in agents funded through governmental organisation, MIET Africa. a UNICEF-administered With capacity to provide water to up to 17 children simul- promoting health grant from Kimberly Clark. taneously, the hand-washing and tooth-brushing exercise is and hygiene The sound of nature’s a key part of the daily routine of the children, most of whom at schools in greatest gift, water, are from economically-deprived households where clean accompanied by the running water and other hygienic products are a luxury. The under-resourced laughter of healthy, happy exercise is expected to go a long way in reducing school communities. children is a tangible absenteeism due to diarrhoea and respiratory infections— example of a positive two of the biggest killers amongst school-going children in partnership in action. By South Africa. making hand-washing and oral hygiene a Based on a system used by UNICEF in Zambia, the water taps are relatively practical part of the school day, UNICEF, inexpensive (costing around R3,000 or $230 to install) and durable, and play a criti- the Mpumalanga Department of Educa- cal role in promoting health and hygiene at schools in under-resourced communities. tion, Kimberly Clark and MIET Africa are Located two-hours’ drive from South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park, Sishila making hygiene and sanitation a reality Primary School now has handwashing and oral hygiene as part of the daily routine of for children, giving rise to the observation its students who diligently and meticulously clean their hands and brush their teeth at that meaningful, sustainable behavioural ‘hand-washing time.’ Through this exercise, and the slow drip of water, children are also change begins with children.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 25 South Africa marks 16 Days of Activism with focus on preventing gender-based violence

he United Nations in South Africa marked this year’s Following the annual lecture, Soul City and the Nelson 16 Days of Activism in November with a series of activi- Mandela Foundation hosted an inter-generational dialogue ties held in Cape Town that included, among others, with more than 40 girls from the Rise Young Women’s Club in T a “Take Back the Night March”, a lecture by Deputy Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town. Participants reflected on Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and a dialogue with the the lecture, undertook a visioning exercise which allowed them youth. to imagine a future of safety and empowerment. UN Women teamed up with Ilitha Labantu, a non-govern- The dialogue included a high-level women panel comprising mental organization that provides emotional support and practi- Ms. Mohammed; Grace Machel, the former First Lady of South cal advice to victims of gender-based violence, for their annual Africa and humanitarian and women’s rights champion; Anne “Take Back the Night March” held in Gugulethu Township, Githuku-Shongwe, the UN Women head for southern Africa; where the rate of violence against women and girls, including Naledi Chirwa, the national spokesperson of the Economic rape and murder, is high. More than 300 community members Freedom Fighters Student Command; and Trudi Makhaya, the walked through the streets calling for an end to violence. They chief executive officer of Makhaya Advisory, a research and also called on community members to stand together in making advisory company. their neighbourhood safe for all, especially during the night These activities were part of the global initiative “Orange when women and girls are more vulnerable. the World: End Violence against Women and Girls” on behalf of The march culminated in a gathering at the Gugulethu the UN Secretary-General’s global campaign UNiTE to End Vio- Sports Complex where a memorandum of demands was lence against Women. In recognition of the oranging the world handed over to members of the South African Police Services. theme, South Africa’s Table Mountain was lit in orange on 25 The Provincial Minister for Safety and Security, Dan Plato, November to mark the start of 16 Days of Activism and again on pledged to set aside a budget to help end gender-based 7 December to spotlight violence against women in rural areas violence. who are often left behind in prevention and survivor support The march was followed by the delivery by the deputy initiatives. As an iconic landmark in South Africa, lighting the secretary-general of the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on 25 mountain reflected the collective commitment from govern- November. The lecture, whose theme was “Centering gender: ment, civil society and the private sector to attain a society free Reducing inequality through inclusion”, coincided with the Inter- from violence against women and girls. national Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and The 2017 theme, “Leave No One Behind: End Violence the start of the 16 Days of Activism. More than a thousand del- against Women and Girls,” highlights the unifying nature of one egates, including about a hundred young women from the Soul of the essential principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable City Institute’s Rise Young Women’s Club, attended the lecture. Development, while underscoring the world’s endeavour to Ms. Mohammed commended South African women for “reach the furthest behind first”. being leaders of change and called for investments in women In recent years, the UNiTE campaign has used the colour to ensure equality for all. She called on authorities to invest “in orange as a unifying theme running through all its global the missing 50% of our human asset base, in the potential of activities. Orange is one of the official colours of the UNiTE our women to unleash their power for good,” adding that it was campaign and in the context of its global advocacy, is used as important to attain the Sustainable Development Goals starting a symbol of a brighter future, free from violence against women with Goal 5 on gender equality. and girls.

26 INFOCUS UNAIDS: The challenge is to pre- vent new HIV infections

outh Africa has the largest UNAIDS country office, a reflection of the scale of the local AIDS epidemic and the degree S of commitment by the Government and its partners, including the 11 UNAIDS co-sponsor agencies, to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The UNAIDS Joint Programme works with the Department of Health and the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), among others, to implement the new 2017-2022 National Strategic Plan on HIV, tuberculosis and Sexually Transmit- ted Infections (STIs). South Africa has the largest free HIV treatment programme in the world, with 3.9 million people living with HIV on treatment as of the end of 2016. However, there are an esti- mated seven million people living with HIV in the country, all of whom are eligible for treatment. South Africa is committed to providing treat- ment to an additional 2 million people living with HIV by 2020. UNAIDS recently supported nego- tiations to secure cheaper, simplified treatment options which should help the Government in meeting its targets. A particular focus for UNAIDS in South Africa is to prevent new infections and to support the participation of civil society. It also seeks to chal- lenge complacency among people who may be at risk of infection and among people living with HIV who need to commence and maintain treatment. South Africa recently joined a new Global Preven- tion Coalition and is committed to significantly reduce new HIV infections by 2020. This includes eliminating the transmission of HIV from mothers to their unborn and infant children. A particular concern in the country is service delivery within communities, including expand- ing community health worker programmes and encouraging communities in the planning, moni- toring and delivery of services. South Africa also needs an additional 400,000 men living with HIV to have been tested by 2020. Moving more men into treatment will also benefit younger women who are at greatest risk of HIV infection, since people living with HIV who receive effective treat- ment are very unlikely to transmit the virus.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 27 MODEL UN South Africa Model UN debates finals held in Johannesburg By Suniti Kala-Hooper

with essential skills. In South Africa, the debates are organized by Education Africa, an education advocacy, with cooperation from UN offices in South Africa. What makes the South African Model United Nations (SAMUN) unique is its concept of twinning resourced and under-resourced schools within the same debating team. This unique pairing means that partici- pating delegates acquire much more than just research, writing and public speaking skills. Aside from contributing to ‘social cohesion’, the project additionally provides practical life lessons in the sharing of edu- cational resources, academic capacity and importantly, given the South African con- text, learning to overcome cultural and eco- Sliver medal winners of the nomic disparities in order to work together Model UN debate competition as an integrated and unified team. More than 750 students from all the provinces participated in the 2017 compe- tition, which commenced with workshops taking place during the month of May. These were conducted by SAMUN alumni and covered the basics of debating and an introduction to the various structures and protocols of the UN. In August, the provincial conference debates took place in the legislatures of the nine provinces. Several UN staff were involved as adjudicators, including Kanae Tada, Anjali Patel and Inviolata Chinyangarara from the International Labour Organization, Noloyiso Tsembeyi and Ethel Maringa (Resident Coordinator’s Office) Lindiwe Dhlamini (UN Develop- ment Programme), Ziyanda Ngoma and Suniti Kala-Hooper Operations Siziwe Jongizulu (UN Population Fund). Director at Education Africa, The programme culminated in the win- ning team from each province, together with two international teams from School he 2017 South African Model Africa’s nine provinces gathered in the Without Walls in Washington DC, attend- United Nations debates commercial capital to compete in the ing the Education Africa SAMUN Interna- kicked off in Johannesburg debates. tional finals from 12-14 October in Johan- amid much excitement and Model UN debates take place in coun- nesburg. Against the impressive backdrop fanfare. More than 40 stu- tries all around the world and have been of the Metro Council Chambers, delegates T dents from across South globally credited with equipping students engaged in vigorous debates on the two 28 INFOCUS and Genocide Centre as well as a field trip to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg formed part of the conference. Both events proved to be eye-opening and thought- provoking lessons for those who attended. A key strength of SAMUN is its collabo- ration with several significant institutions, lending the project considerable credibility. These include the Department of Educa- tion, DIRCO and of course, the UN. The latter two assists with topic selections as well as the adjudication of debates at a provincial and national level. Started in 1995, when the first group of SAMUN ‘delegates’ accompanied former President Nelson Mandela to the UN’s 50th anniversary celebrations in New York, more than 11,000 students have successfully participated in the debates during the past Model UN debates 2017 winners. 10 years alone. A clear majority of these alumni go on to pursue successful career paths, making significant contributions to fields as diverse as law, medicine, engi- selected topics on the funding of the Sus- a global citizen. It truly is a life-changing neering, business, politics, media, the arts, tainable Development Goals as well as the programme and for that I am grateful”. amongst other fields. Rohingya refugee crisis. Due to the loss of his father, the late SAMUN 2017 was by all accounts a Three notable alumni returned to con- Govin Reddy, this was the first year that tremendous success, with learners expand- tribute to this year’s competition: South Sudeshan was unable to attend the final ing their perspectives and forming lifelong African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) debates, although he continued to provide connections while learning the essential art Executive Producer Krivani Pillay and media the organizers with helpful suggestions and of diplomacy. Education Africa is grateful personality Gushwell Brooks as adjudica- support throughout the process, despite his to have once again collaborated with the tors, as well as advocate Steven Budlender personal bereavement. United Nations on this crucial project. as guest speaker at the SAMUN interna- As the competition aims to provide stu- tional finals prize-giving ceremony. dents with a memorable and immersive all- Suniti Kala-Hooper is the Operations Direc- The high-level adjudication panel fur- round experience, apart from the debates, tor at Education Africa, an NGO committed ther included Masimba Tafirenyika, the an interactive workshop at the Holocaust to poverty alleviation through education. Director of the UN Information Centre, Kai Crooks-Chissano, the executive director of Camp I Am and Albert Geldenhuys from the South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). The entire proceedings were chaired by Abdul- lah Verachia, another trailblazing alumnus who has experienced the benefits of the programme firsthand. “SAMUN prepared me for a career in the United Nations in ways that, nearly two dec- ades later, I continue to appreciate,” says Sudeshan Reddy, a communications spe- cialist at UNICEF’s country office and one of SAMUN’s first tutors who has remained deeply committed to the programme ever since, adding, “From empathy to tolerance, consensus-building to negotiation skills, my SAMUN experience invaluably helped Model UN debates students at the Johannesburg shape my awareness and participation as Metro Council Chambers.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 29 STAFF PROFILES

MBULAWA MUGABE is the new Coun- try Director of UNAIDS in South Africa. He assumed his functions in June 2017 after serving as Director of Country Impact and Sustainability Department at UNAIDS headquarters from 2014 to 2017. Prior to this, he was the deputy director for UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa in Johannesburg from 2010 to 2013. A national of Botswana, Dr Mugabe’s career with the UN spans almost 20 years including working for UNICEF in Botswana and Uganda. He was the first A national of the US, CLAUDIA UNAIDS country director in South Africa VELASQUEZ is the new senior strategic and served from 2002 to 2008, setting up intervention advisor in the UNAIDS Coun- the first UNAIDS office in the country. Dr Mugabe holds a mas- try Office, focusing on HIV prevention. ters’ degree and a PhD in medical sociology, specializing in child Previously, she was the UNAIDS senior health, from the University of London. In 1997, he became the first regional strategic information advisor at recipient of the Goran Starky Award for Child Health at the Institute the UNAIDS regional support team for of Child Health at Karolinska University in Sweden. He also had Latin America and Caribbean in Panama. a long academic career at the University of Botswana where he was a senior research fellow at the National Institute of Research. He replaces Dr Erasmus Morah who was reassigned as UNAIDS country director in Nigeria.

BARNABAS YISA was appointed Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of UN Population Fund in South Africa since September 2017. Prior to this appointment, he was the OIC at UNFPA Tanzania Country Office for six months as well as UNFPA resident repre- sentative in South Sudan, Eritrea and Sierra Leone between 2009 and 2015. Mr Yisa has a lengthy experience in sexual reproductive health and population DR. ALI FEIZZADEH, an Iranian national, development having served as the regional joined the UNAIDS in South Africa in July behaviour change communication/advo- 2017 as the new senior strategic informa- cacy adviser at UNFPA Regional Office, tion adviser and leads on data and analysis. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as well as regional Prior to this, he was the UNAIDS regional population education: information educa- support team for Middle East and North tion communication/advocacy advisor with Africa based in Cairo, Egypt. UNESCO in France. Between 186 and 1990, he held the position of chief technical advisor for population family life education to the Government of Sierra Leone and before then he served as the chief education SCOTT MCQUADE, a research officer and head of Population Education Department New Zealand native and at the Nigerian educational Research and Development Council. citizen of Australia, joined From 1979 to 1986, he was a lecturer in Geography at the College the South African office of Education, Minna, Niger State in Nigeria. in August 2017 as the new Mr. Yisa is also the Chairman of Black Box Media Productions Senior Advice on manage- Ltd, Nigeria, and an Independent Consultant on Sexual Reproduc- ment and advocacy. Pre- tive Health (SRH) and Population & Development. viously, he served at the He holds a Master of Science degree in Population Studies & UNAIDS Headquarters in Manpower Planning from the University of Jos in Nigeria. Geneva, Switzerland.

Ms Claudia Velasquez, Senior Strategic Intervention 30 INFOCUS Advisor TOGETHER: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All

n an effort to engage South African in building social cohesion. The panelists Ms. Modey-Ebi reaffirmed this obser- I nationals with refugees and migrants to included Dr. Jean Misago from the African vation, adding that “refugees and asylum foster dialogue and build social cohesion, Centre for Migration Studies at the Univer- seekers cannot be scapegoats for service the United Nations Information Centre sity of Witwatersrand, Ncumisa Willie from delivery challenges in South Africa. There (UNIC) in Pretoria organized and partici- the South African Human Rights Commis- is a need to build tolerance.” pated in various events throughout the last sion (SAHRC) and Veronica Irima Modey- As part of the Global Migration Festival, quarter of 2017. Following the xenophobic Ebi from the UN High Commissioner for UNIC and the International Organization violence of 2008 and 2015, and the lin- Refugees. Jacqueline Nzoyihera from for Migration (IOM) held a screening of the gering tensions in various communities the Office of the High Commissioner for Voetsek! Us? Brothers? The documentary that are still present, UNIC partnered with Human Rights facilitated the discussion. details the events leading up to, during and the South African Broadcasting Corpora- Mr. Misago described xenophobia as the aftermath of the xenophobic attacks of tion (SABC) Foundation in producing and a “hate crime and, since most people tar- 2008 and 2015. It details foreign nationals broadcasting public service announce- geted are African immigrants, it is mostly losing their belongings, having their land ments (PSAs) on various radio stations. both xenophobia and Afrophobia.” He purged in informal settlements and the The PSAs were translated in five of the explained that one of the main obstacles to reaction of nationals who expressed their official South African languages and were tackling xenophobia and building inclusive frustration with the slow pace of access to aired on various radio stations throughout communities was the lack of political will. social services in their neighbourhoods. the month of October. The positive mes- “There have been so many interven- The events to promote social cohe- sages featured local and foreign voices on tions by local and international NGOs – but sion formed part of the United Nations’ the positive impact that foreign nationals the research shows there is often no politi- global TOGETHER campaign launched in have played in the various communities in cal will,” he noted. “This means impunity September 2016 following reports of mis- which they reside and the hospitality they for perpetrators. Neither the UN nor institu- treatment, abuse and slavery of refugees were accorded by their hosts. tions such as the SAHRC have the political and migrants from conflict-torn countries. A key role player in shaping the narra- muscle to hold the South African govern- The campaign aims to change nega- tive around any social issue is the media. ment accountable and research shows tive perceptions and attitudes towards In partnership with the Institute for the that sometimes violence happens not migrant and refugee communities and to Advancement of Journalism, the UN in because of poverty, but because people strengthen the social contract between South Africa organized and participated in target foreigners in the hope that govern- host countries and communities, refugees a panel discussion on the role of the media ment will respond to their concerns.” and migrants.

Celebrating UN Day with an exhibition at the Apartheid Museum

UN in South Africa exhibition opened During a period that spanned over Department of International Relations and A at the Apartheid Museum in Johan- several decades, the UN first imposed Cooperation (DIRCO) as well as Linda nesburg in October as part of the organi- an arms embargo followed by economic Sangaret, the head of Marketing at Brand zation’s commemoration of the United sanctions as well as cultural and sports SA which partnered with the UN in making Nations Day. The exhibition, which details boycott of South Africa in an effort to the exhibition possible and Emilia Potenza the role of the UN in the struggle for free- force it to abandon its policy of apartheid. from the Apartheid Museum. dom in South Africa, chronicles the his- Footage at the exhibition shows late South Laher, the Acting Chief Director for tory of the UN’s involvement in the South African icons such as former President the UN Division at DIRCO, praised the Africa’s political system which began in Nelson Mandela, former African National UN for its contribution to the fight for 1946 when India raised concern at the UN Congress President Oliver Tambo and freedom and expressed his government’s General Assembly about the treatment singer Mariam Makeba addressing the gratitude for the role played by the inter- of people of Indian origin in South Africa. UN on the oppressive laws passed by national community in ending apartheid. The timeline displayed at the exhibi- apartheid South Africa. They all urged the Former Resident Coordinator of the UN tion details the series of meetings and global body to take a strong stance against in South Africa Gana Fofang relayed his outcomes of the UN Special Committee the oppressive and discriminatory regime. personal experiences on learning about Against Apartheid formed in 1962 as well Diplomats, media, civil society organi- apartheid and participating in protests and as the impact of various declarations and zations and many others attended the the international boycott of South African resolutions passed by the General Assem- launch of the exhibition which included consumer goods during his years as a bly and the Security Council. remarks by Zaheer Laher, from the student at university.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 31