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Land Bank reaches agreement with lenders

Location: News

Land Bank reaches agreement with lenders

The Board of the Land Bank has announced the successful conclusion of a debt restructuring solution with all its lenders. 

At a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday, the bank said official notices have been issued, signalling the implementation of the solution and the bank’s strategic direction moving forward.

The agreement reached with the Land Bank international and local lenders will remedy the bank’s prevailing debt default which occurred in April 2020, said Land Bank Board Chairperson, Thabi Nkosi.

Nkosi said following the signing of legal agreements and the fulfilment of all conditions, the debt restructuring solution will take effect on 16 September 2024, effectively ending the Land Bank’s debt default position.

She said the debt restructuring spans multiple financial instruments of all the bank’s lenders, ensuring equitable treatment of all the lenders, regardless of the type of debt held and their governing laws.

“Scheduled repayments to lenders will occur every six months through to March 2028. The government's equity contribution will play a critical role in this plan, positioning Land Bank on a sustainable path forward,” Nkosi explained.

Nkosi acknowledged this has been one of the most intricate and extended debt restructuring efforts in South Africa’s financial history.

Coordinating a large number of lenders, including local lenders, a multilateral development finance institution and international banks, as well as the different types of debt instruments, and tenures, added to the challenge.

“Thankfully, all parties showed remarkable patience and good faith with lenders respecting a stand still arrangement since the bank defaulted on its debts. We believe the solution we have reached is in the best interest of all stakeholders and the agricultural sector," Nkosi said.

Speaking on behalf of government, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said government has been concerned about the effect the protracted negotiation process has been having on the bank’s lending activities, which are vital for the socio-economic impact of the bank on the South African economy, and the agricultural sector, in particular.

The Minister said at its prime, the Land Bank contributed R45 billion to the bank’s agricultural debt finance, which represented a share of approximately 28% of the South African farming debt.

Since the debt default the bank has repaid over 60% of its debt. This was achieved through cash proceeds from a deliberate reduction of the bank’s loan book, which reduced from R45.2 billion in March 2020 to R17 billion by June 2024.

Despite the downsizing, Land Bank resumed limited lending activities in October 2022 through the Blended Finance Scheme, which is supported by grant funding from the Department of Agriculture.

“Whilst we were mindful of the bank’s need for state support to assist it to get out of its debt default, we were also cognisant of the fact that a large part of the bank’s debt restructure solution would be driven through the bank’s own initiated remedial measures,” Godongwana said.

Through its own cash flow from collections and client settlements, Godongwana said the bank was able to repay 60% of its funding liabilities since the debt default.

"Government provided R10 billion to stabilise the situation and alleviate the State’s contingent liabilities through the settlement of the State-guaranteed lenders, and to allocate R3.7 billion from these funds towards the Blended Finance Scheme to support the bank’s agricultural development and transformation mandate.

“We also ensured that the bank found self-help measures while keeping fiscal support to a minimum. Moving forward, the bank's funding model remains a priority," Godongwana said.

He added that with the liability solution finalised, government wanted the bank to adhere to the pledges set out in its debt restructure agreement and begin a process to address its funding structure so that “we never find ourselves in a similar position again”.

“A closer relationship and collaboration between the bank and the Department of Agriculture, as well all relevant state departments and entities, is required to ensure that coordinated efforts and economies of scale of the State’s entities and the private sector are leveraged to deliver effective impact in the agricultural sector,” Godongwana said. 

With the liability solution finalised, the Land Bank is now focused on executing its turnaround strategy to implement its mandate and to drive development and transformation within the agricultural sector. 

The bank said the new operating model, led by the CEO and the executive team, with strong board support, “will be central to this journey”. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Mon, 09/09/2024 - 11:40

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Government places the transfer of land to women under the spotlight

Location: News

Government places the transfer of land to women under the spotlight

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has committed the department to prioritise the transfer of land, wealth and income earning ability to organised women.

Addressing the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature Women’s Parliament on the Economic and Social Empowerment of Women on Friday, Chikunga said the historic treatment of women as minors who are incapable of owning property, continues to reproduce itself today through landlessness and its related disadvantages.

“Through integrated farming value-chain cooperatives as well as a cooperative banking institution, we are determined to see to it that women take ownership and control of land for productive and commercial purposes.

“We will ensure that women and youth have access to land for agricultural purposes and related economic activities. Land is wealth, wealth that has income earning potential,” Chikunga said.

During the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced massive plans to ramp up a green manufacturing sector over the next five years and mentioned Mpumalanga as a priority.

Chikunga said the department will ensure that women are at the centre and do not remain in the margins of these projects.

Emerging Industrialists Accelerator Programs

The Minister said the department has conceptualised a series of Emerging Industrialists Accelerator Programs and intends to rally all relevant stakeholders, particularly state-owned entities (SOEs), and industry associations behind their implementation.

“These programs will target emerging women industrialists in key sectors, including energy security, the maritime, defence and aerospace industries, and agriculture, among others. The recent Sola Mamas initiative will be scaled up and strengthened to reach more women.

“Participating emerging industrialists will work alongside experienced industry associations, receiving support from ideation through to product development, financing, market access, and commercialization pathways,” she explained.

Emerging Industrialists Fund

To support these initiatives, the Minister said the department will advocate for the establishment of an Emerging Industrialists Fund, dedicated to supporting beneficiation and transforming young people’s ideas into productive economic activities.

The Minister emphasised that while investment must come from both the public and private sectors, the state must take the lead as the investor of first resort.

“For example, the tourism industry in Mpumalanga has limitless potential. We need to channel our young women to this industry, not just as employees but owners and operators of tourism infrastructure.”

Enrolment of National Youth Service recruits

Chikunga also announced that work is underway to ensure that the first round of the National Youth Service (NYS) recruits are enrolled before the end of the financial year.

“A minimum of 50% of the beneficiaries of this program will be women, including unemployed graduates and those who have completed Grade 12 but are currently sitting at home. Here in Mpumalanga, we must make sure that the youth of this province, particularly rural youth and those in farming communities, are not left behind.”

Launched by Deputy President Paul Mashatile in May this year, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)-led NYS is a special project that will be piloted and implemented in the country’s poorest districts, where most youngsters are unemployed.

READ | Mashatile launches SANDF-led youth initiative to create jobs, entrepreneurship

The project is targeting no less than 125 000 youth in its first year of rollout.

Chikunga said through this programme, the department will be rallying industry associations, including SOEs, universities, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and participating sister departments behind a nationally coordinated and de-siloed effort to combat youth unemployment.

“We will be training emerging industrialists in the design, manufacturing, piloting and applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones) from small drones used to inspect borders, to large fixed-wing UAVs applied in mining, construction, oil and gas and related fields,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za 

GabiK
Fri, 08/30/2024 - 14:33

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Read moreGovernment places the transfer of land to women under the spotlight

‘Worm mom’ makes waves in farming

Location: News

‘Worm mom’ makes waves in farming

If you think of worms, you might imagine slimy tiny creatures but for Snenhlanhla Maduna who has been dubbed ‘worm mom’, her face lights up at the sight of these creepy-crawlies.

“They are harmless, the tickling sensation they create when hand-held made me overcome my initial aversion,” Maduna said.

The 21-year-old from Hilton, Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, is the co-founder of SñP Organic Products, which specialises in vermicomposting, this is a process whereby earthworms convert natural waste into compost. 

“We transform organic waste into nutrient-rich worm compost, which enhances soil health and fosters plant growth.”

The idea for SñP Organic Products stemmed from a deep-rooted passion for gardening and sustainable living.

“After the COVID-19 lockdown and the July unrest, we realised the impact of growing our own food. My father, Phumani Zondi and I decided to co-found SñP Organic Products."

After extensive research and training,  the father and daughter duo started experimenting with different organic waste materials to turn waste into valuable compost from their backyard,

This is how SñP Organic Products was born.

The entrepreneurs target local gardeners and environmentally conscious consumers who value organic products.

“We currently sell our compost to gardening enthusiasts who appreciate the benefits of nutrient-rich, chemical-free compost.

“We [also] provide worm bait for people who enjoy fishing. Dreaming big, we see ourselves eventually selling to farmers, golf courses and places that use compost to maintain their fields,” Maduna said.

SñP Organic comfrey balm

Apart from producing compost, SñP Organic Products has a comfrey balm product that offers natural therapeutic benefits. The product is made from comfrey plants grown from their home.

Comfrey is renowned for its healing properties, particularly in treating sore muscles, backaches, painful joints, and inflammation.  
"Our plantain balm is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it ideal for treating acne, rash, eczema, and irritated skin."

SñP Organic Products currently employs one dedicated worker, who visits twice a week to assist with the operations.

“As we grow, we aim to expand our workforce, particularly targeting young, ambitious individuals aged 18 to 50 who are eager to learn and start their own ventures. Creating job opportunities for these individuals is a core part of our mission."

Maduna said she is hopeful for future collaborations with government that can support the business’s mission.

“Government funding and support would enable us to expand our operations, educate more people, and create job opportunities for disadvantaged communities. Our vision is to establish a large-scale worm farm, producing compost and training individuals in vermiculture and vermicomposting."

Maduna is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Education degree with Stadio Higher Education.

She said the course will equip her with the skills to effectively communicate and teach others about sustainable practices.

“Our journey in vermicomposting and organic product development is a testament to the potential of small efforts making a significant impact. With the right support and education, we aim to transform the agricultural landscape in South Africa, one worm at a time,” she concluded.

Maduna can be reached at kamagubevu@gmail.com.

*This article first appeared in Vuk’uzenzele
 

Janine

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Emergency spillway under construction to avoid further Riverlands disaster

Location: News

Emergency spillway under construction to avoid further Riverlands disaster

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has given the City of Cape Town permission to construct an emergency spillway on the fourth and remaining farm dam reported to be on the verge of collapse to lower the risk of its collapse.

This follows the failure of three farm dams, located in Riverlands, that breached, resulting in flooding that caused severe property and infrastructure damage to the affected area, leading to hundreds of people being provided with humanitarian assistance.

The department’s Head of Communication, Dr Mandla Mathebula, said the three failed dams did not have sufficient spillways and had filled beyond the safe level, resulting in overtopping due to high rainfall and associated run off, causing them to fail in series.

“The fourth dam, which is the highest dam in the valley, also has no spillway and it has been discovered that it has some structural damage. The dams are owned by the Western Cape Provincial Government and serve local farmers.

“To reduce the risk of potential failure, the DWS Dam Safey Office has granted permission for the construction of an emergency spillway on the fourth dam,” Mathebula said.

Mathebula said construction has started under the supervision of an approved professional person and will ensure that the dam is able to manage the anticipated floods due to the predicted rainfall, which will last until Tuesday.

“The existing outlet pipe of the dam will also be kept fully open to allow the dam levels to drop to safe capacity or even empty if required,” Mathebula said.

According to the preliminary report by the department’s engineers who are on site, the dams failed last week Wednesday at approximately 3am. The town of Riverlands, approximately two kilometres downstream, was partially flooded.

Due to the dams storing the bulk of the catchment runoff and not having any spillways to discharge any water in rainy seasons, the river dried up downstream.

Mathebula noted that most of the affected houses, including the railway line, subsistence farming smallholdings, schools, roads, and other structures, were constructed in the original river flood zones.

He said the department will conduct an investigation into the causes of the dam failures and depending on the results of the investigation, DWS may implement regulatory actions to ensure accountability.

“DWS is doing its best to assist the City of Cape Town during this difficult period to ensure that the situation is normalised. The DWS has dispatched its engineers from the Western Cape Regional Office to provide expert advice to stabilise and rehabilitate the situation.

“A local Joint Operations Committee has been established, represented by a variety of municipalities, disaster management teams, DWS, Gift for Givers, SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), social and humanitarian organisations, amongst others,’” Mathebula said.

The department has assured the communities around the affected area that all hands are on deck to resolve the problem. It encouraged community members to cooperate during this period to ensure speedy work on site. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Mon, 08/12/2024 - 09:53

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Unlocking The Potential Of Ai And Machine Learning For South African Companies

Location: MyPR

SevenC, a leading IT infrastructure and network service provider striving to identify and make available the best possible ICT strategies for its clients’ unique needs, explores the value of artificial intelligence and machine learning for South African companies. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are not just buzzwords; they are transformative technologies reshaping industries …

Read moreUnlocking The Potential Of Ai And Machine Learning For South African Companies

‘We are not afraid’– Young women in South Africa show resilience as they fight HIV/AIDS and gender based violence

Location: News

UN Women - Africa
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Listening to the soulful singing of young women and girls in Nomzamo township in Strand, Cape Town, South Africa, and watching their jubilant dancing, it would be difficult to guess the complex and life-threatening challenges they have faced in their young lives. These girls and women, members of the Young Women for Life Movement, have every reason to be ecstatic; they are extricating themselves from the cycle of poverty and the effects of HIV/AIDS and GBV in a country where women are disproportionately affected by HIV.

Of the nearly 7.5 million adults living with HIV in South Africa by 2021, nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) were women, with black women aged 25-34 years having the highest prevalence, at 31.6 per cent, and highest incidence, at 4.5 per cent according to data from The Lancet. While the infection rate has dropped from 14 per cent in 2017 to slightly less than 13 per cent in 2022, according to the Human Sciences Research Council's 2023 data, the rates are still quite high, translating to more than 1 in 10 persons living with HIV in South Africa.

This feminized HIV epidemic is mostly due to high levels of inequality. South Africa has the highest income inequality in the world, according to the World Bank. Unemployment is rampant, and many women and girls do not have good economic prospects. For many, this makes them vulnerable to risky sexual behavior as they struggle to survive. This is compounded by high rates of GBV in the area and in the country in general. Young women and girls in Strand area's townships know this all too well.

“Before I got wind of the Young Women for Life Movement, I had given up on life,” said Sinesipho, fondly referred to as “Shorty” due to her pint size by members of the group that she now considers her sisterhood. Sinesipho Petshana had a difficult background at home, low self-esteem, and was engaging in risky sexual behaviour out of desperation to help make ends meet.

“By speaking with me about my potential and growing my skills through training, the group changed my mind and this helped me change my life,” she said. Now working as a cashier in a retail store in Cape Town, she is proud of how far she has come and calls the Young Women for Life Movement a lifesaver.

Started in 2019 as an informal group of just eight young women and girls aged 15 to 28 who wanted to give each other moral support, the Young Women for Life Movement has now impacted 8,000 girls in South Africa alone. Convened by the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops' Conference and Peace Commission, the movement is supported by UN Women through funding from the Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF) as part of the outreach under the HeForShe campaign.

Through its partnership with Work4aLiving, a skills-building programme and one of the three pillars of the Young Women for Life Movement, the community group has trained women and girls in Nomzamo Township in entrepreneurship, financial management, baking, and other skills to help them begin to earn an income and become self-sufficient. Earlier this year, 70 girls graduated from a hospitality course offered under the Movement. Many of them have already secured jobs in the city.

Guguletu Mdoba (Gugu), 29, another member of the Movement, is a shining example of how the girls and young women are pulling themselves out of poverty. Now a renowned baker in the area, Gugu's products are so popular that she can barely keep up with her customers' orders. Training on financial literacy helped her learn how to save and budget, and she has used this new knowledge to expand her enterprise. This year, she bought a bigger kitchen stove and also began training other young women and girls in the area to bake, which is having a positive ripple effect on their household incomes. Overwhelmed with demand, she is now expanding into a more established fast-food shop.

“Some of the girls and young women in the group are living with HIV,” said Phindile Maseko, Coordinator of the Young Women for Life Movement, who the members call Sis. Phindile, meaning Sister, out of admiration. “They were so discouraged when we met them that they had even stopped taking antiretroviral (ARV) medication as they felt that they had nothing to live for,” said Phindile, who also serves as the Facilitator of Work4aLiving.

The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated the situation for these girls. Like elsewhere on the globe, the pandemic wreaked havoc on incomes and livelihoods in this already vulnerable township, driving many families into hunger. The effects were complex as lack of access to meals severely interfered with ARV compliance.

With support from UN Women and partners, girls and young women from the Movement managed to access seedlings and technical know-how to start small-scale vegetable farming. The project thrived and now not only caters for the members, their families, and the community, but also generates income through the supply of fresh produce to shops.

What started as a small circle of 80 girls in 2019 has become a movement of 8,000 girls in South Africa alone. The project is expanding to Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana and also starting a chapter in Namibia.

“The Young Women for Life project demonstrates that it is possible to reduce HIV infections and end the cycle of risky behaviour and violence,” said Jacqueline Utamuriza-Nzisabira, HIV/AIDS Specialist for UN Women East and Southern Africa and the manager of this project, “These girls decided to take their lives into their own hands and are no longer on a destructive path that was going nowhere.”

The young women's and girls' rallying cry, “Asinaluvalo”, meaning "We are not afraid", is testament to their resilience and newfound hope.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.

Read more‘We are not afraid’– Young women in South Africa show resilience as they fight HIV/AIDS and gender based violence

Unlocking AI’s transformative potential in South Africa: Enhancing society & creating opportunities

Location: MyPR

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to supercharge every aspect of business and society, South Africa stands at a critical juncture. Rather than fearing job displacement, we can harness AI to drive widespread growth and prosperity. By fostering local innovation, investing in AI education, and creating a conducive regulatory environment, we can empower citizens and businesses …

Read moreUnlocking AI’s transformative potential in South Africa: Enhancing society & creating opportunities

Fire Smart Farming: How to Tame the Flames and Be Prepared

Location: MyPR

The Winelands Fire Protection Association reports that for every 1-degree increase in global temperatures, there’s a 29% increase in fire risk. This alarming correlation was evident in recent events as stated by The Daily Maverick in February this year. Between 1st December 2023 and 31st January 2024, more than 6,000 fires consumed nearly 100,000 hectares, …

Read moreFire Smart Farming: How to Tame the Flames and Be Prepared

AgriSA welcomes new Agriculture Minister

Location: News

AgriSA welcomes new Agriculture Minister

AgriSA says it is looking forward to a collaborative and productive relationship, working together with the newly appointed Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, to advance the agricultural sector in South Africa.

AgriSA extended its sincere congratulations to Steenhuisen on his appointment as Minister of Agriculture and Mzwanele Nyhontso as Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development in the seventh administration. 

“These appointments come at a critical juncture, and we are confident that under these Ministers’ leadership, the agricultural sector will thrive and continue to be a cornerstone of the national economy,” AgriSA CEO Johann Kotzé said in a statement on Monday.

Kotzé said AgriSA is committed to playing its role in supporting the new government of national unity (GNU) by actively engaging with all stakeholders to foster a cohesive and collaborative approach to addressing the sector’s challenges.

In line with this commitment, Kotzé said AgriSA is focused on addressing three critical areas that are vital to the well-being and prosperity of the nation. 

“Firstly, AgriSA recognises the importance of ensuring food security for all South Africans. By improving agricultural productivity, sustainability and profitability, we can contribute to social stability across the nation. AgriSA will work diligently to support policies and initiatives to enhance food security and promote access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food for all.

“Secondly, agriculture is a key contributor to the South African economy. We are dedicated to work with government to enhance the competitiveness of South African agriculture on a global scale, increasing exports, and opening new markets. This, in turn, could lead to the development of rural communities and contribute significantly to the reduction of poverty and unemployment in our country,” Kotzé said.

On the third critical area, Kotzé said sustainable agriculture is essential for the preservation of the country’s environment. 

He said AgriSA is committed to promoting policies and practices that protect and enhance natural resources, ensuring their availability for future generations. 

“By being responsible stewards of our natural resources, we can ensure that the agricultural sector remains viable and productive in the long term,” Kotzé said.

The CEO also expressed the organisation’s gratitude to the outgoing Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, for her continued support and understanding of the agricultural sector. 

“Her efforts in maintaining strong relationships with organised agriculture have been invaluable. Under her guidance, we have seen significant advancements and a strengthened collaboration between the government and the agricultural community. 

“We wish her all the best in her position as Speaker [of the National Assembly] and thank her for her dedicated service and the positive impact she has made,” Kotzé said.

AgriCulture South Africa, facilitated by AgriSA, protects, and promotes the interest of the farming community in South Africa.

AgriSA explores agricultural policy, climate, water management, land reform, food security, labour issues, rural safety, economics, amongst others. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Mon, 07/01/2024 - 13:27

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Eastern Cape women entrepreneurs aim high

Location: News

Eastern Cape women entrepreneurs aim high

A Sara Baartman District Women Entrepreneurs Awards (WEA) winner aspires to be a fabric design factory owner who will in turn be able to employ the local people of Makhanda.

Kholiswa Seti of Kholi Designs was named the best smallholder in the rural development category, during the WEA ceremony hosted by the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) in the Sarah Baartman and Amathole districts.

As part of the annual Women Entrepreneur Awards, the provincial department has been recognising top performing women who are contributing to economic development and job creation through the agricultural sector.

The objective of the awards is to empower and honour women in agriculture and agro-processing sectors by recognising their contributions.

The awards are an instrument through which the contribution of women in the fight against poverty, hunger and joblessness is recognised to increase participation and visibility of women in the sector.

Expressing her joy in winning the award, Seti--who was displaying her products at the National Arts Festival held this week--said her win happened at the time when she “just identified my niche market.”

She said it was only on Monday when she got great reviews about the quality of her work when she decided to have two pop-ups stalls to showcase her products in a solo marketing venture.

Government assistance

“Just when the excitement got the better of me about this idea, the question was ‘where are you going to get the money girl?’ So, this prize money (R20 000) will make me pull-off this idea of pop-up stalls and I am grateful. Slowly but surely my dreams are coming true [and] soon I will be able to employ more people and have a factory, thanks to the government,” an elated Seti said.

Seti, who received an overlocker and straight industrial sewing machines last year from DRDAR, said before the assistance, she only had one domestic machine and was working alone. Now, she has been able to hire someone on a full-time basis and another part-time.

“I call the industrial machine I received from the department ‘magic machine’ because it is fast and delivers great quality while the overlocker is doing wonders,” she explained.

Kholi Designs produce traditional wear, smart to causal wear, as well as matric dance attire. She said the designs catered for specific seasons, adding that she is currently displaying and selling winter wear at the festival.

Seti is not new to winning awards having won the Best Designer range at the 2017 Nelson Mandela Bay Fashion Week.

Farming for the future

Another winner, Bongeka Gebuza from Khanyisa Agro-organics in Ngqeberha, was awarded the Youth Special Award for her sterling work in her rabbit farming enterprise.

Speaking about her love for rabbits and organic farming, the Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture student at Nelson Mandela University, said she was “always interested” in rabbits, especially their nutritional value and how to take care of them.

“When I was gifted three rabbits, I managed to breed them until I had 72,” Gebuza said.

The 34-year-old Gebuza is currently busy with her honours degree research on rabbit manure.

She said her research seeks to look at the soil nutrition where she is planting spinach, using rabbit manure on one side and chemical on the other one.

Gebuza, who casually eats and sells her rabbits, said the prize money will assist her with buying the expensive rabbit feed and improve their cages.

She said she will continue with farming.

“One day I want to be the supplier of rabbit manure. I do not have interest in working as I am more interested in entrepreneurship, but we need funding for that as young people,” an optimistic Gebuza said.

Gebuza encouraged the youth to look into the farming sector, as it has more job opportunities.

“They need to explore and start small while looking for funding,” she said.

The district winners will compete for silverware at the provincial awards ceremony to be awarded by new DRDAR MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe. The contestants will later represent the province nationally at the awards ceremony to be held in August. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Fri, 06/28/2024 - 09:33

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Strengthening the fight against child labour

Location: News

Strengthening the fight against child labour

Children are the future, and it is our responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being by enabling them to grow and develop in a nurturing environment. The sad reality is that many children across the world face a daunting prospect of being drawn into work at a young age often under harmful conditions.

South Africa values the rights of children and has over the past 30 years sought to protect them from harm and promote their development. Protecting children from violence, exploitation and abuse is not only a basic right but an obligation set out in our Constitution.

This is in conjunction with other legislation such as the Children's Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act which makes it a criminal offence to employ a child younger than 15 or children who are of school going age. The Children's Act also discourages children from working in mines, factories or in hazardous occupations.

In June, South Africa joined the international community in observing the World Day against Child Labour, under the theme: “Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour”. The key commitments to end child labour are contained in the Durban Call to Action – a document adopted by various Member States, including South Africa at the 5th Global Conference on Ending Child Labour that was hosted in Durban in May 2022.  The document outlines strong commitments to end child labour through making decent work a reality, ending child labour in agriculture, strengthening the prevention and elimination efforts, realising children's rights to education, achieving universal access to social protection, and increasing financing as well as international cooperation. It is in this regard that this year’s commemoration raised awareness against child labour practices across the world and promoted initiatives to help put an end to this scourge.

In marking the day on 12 June 2024, our country reaffirmed its commitment in the fight against child labour. The day also coincided with the 25th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention which sets out to protect children against all forms of child labour. It also aims to prevent the use of children in armed conflict, prostitution, pornography, drug trafficking and participating in hazardous work.

The commemorations gave us an opportunity to reflect on the progress made as well as reaffirm our commitments to put an end to child labour. Despite the significant strides made over time to reduce child labour across the world, much still need to be done to fully eradicate the practice of child labour.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), child labour has for the first time in 20 years increased globally. It is noted that the agricultural sectors such as farming, fishing, aquaculture, forestry and livestock farming account for 60 percent of child labourers aged five to 17 years.

In our fight against this plight, South Africa has endorsed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995 and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in 2000 to affirm its commitment to the realisation of children’s rights.

In addition, the Department of Employment and Labour in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation launched the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour in South Africa project to prevent and eliminate any forms of child labour in the agricultural sector in the country. The project is being piloted in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Delivering the keynote address at the launch, former Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi expressed concern on the increase of child labour in the agricultural sector.

He said: “The agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy, providing food security and sustenance, as well as livelihood to millions. Yet, it is disheartening to note that some of the very hands that cultivate the crops and tend to the livestock belong to children who should be in schools, not in the fields. This situation is unacceptable and demands our immediate attention and concerted efforts.”

Despite our best efforts to protect children from abuse, neglect and exploitation, many children remain vulnerable. Tackling the scourge of child labour requires interventions on many fronts, and it is a reality that government on its own cannot curb.  As such, businesses have a responsibility to the elimination of child labour by carrying out due diligence in their operations and supply chains and ensuring responsible and sustainable business practices that address the root causes of child labour.

Let us all work together to prevent and eliminate child labour by reporting such acts of crime to the Department of Employment and Labour, or alternatively to the police. 

*Khethani Hlongwa is Director: Office on the Rights of the Child; Department of Social Development

Neo
Thu, 06/27/2024 - 10:45

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Capacitating veterinarians in African swine fever prevention and control in resource-limited settings

Location: News

FAO Regional Office for Africa
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The Southern Africa region is endowed with large numbers of pigs, with Angola, Malawi and Mozambique each recording over two million heads. This pig population in the region is growing at over 6 percent per year, the highest growth rate compared to other species of livestock. Unfortunately, the presence of African swine fever (ASF), the most feared pig disease, constitutes a major challenge to production and market access for the smallholder producers in resource-limited settings. 

Traditional prevention and control approaches would employ humane culling and disposal of affected and in-contact pigs, with resource limitations often making it challenging for governments to provide adequate compensation. This situation often results in pig owners fearing not only the disease but also the measures applied in controlling it, such that they do not report disease outbreaks.

FAO has given particular consideration to the challenges of controlling ASF in resource limited settings, such as some of the small-scale farming systems found in the Southern Africa region. In 2023, FAO published new guidelines entitled: “African swine fever prevention, detection and control in resource-limited settings”, written by a global pool of experts.

These guidelines articulate the vulnerability of smallholder pig keepers and producers in rural settings, characterized by poverty and inability to meet the cost of compliance with national policies and legislation.

A unique new online course has been developed, based closely on the FAO guidelines. The course focuses on a collaborative and discussion-based approach to learning, in which participants co-create solutions in a series of live online workshops, backed by self-paced online learning modules. It emphasizes early warning, biosecurity, and the key features of the ASF virus that can be exploited in developing appropriate prevention and control programmes. The course was delivered from 10 May to 21 June 2024, with 81 participants from Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe completing the course and obtaining certificates.

“Resource-limited settings have unique barriers to the prevention and control of ASF. Methods for prevention, detection, and control recommended for higher resource settings may be inappropriate or impossible to implement. It is crucial to consider the context when designing control measures. The training course builds on experiences from Africa and elsewhere to provide participants with information and methods that could improve prevention and control of ASF in resource-limited settings,” said Andriy Rozstalnyy, FAO Animal Health Officer based in Rome, coordinating global efforts in the prevention and control of African swine fever.

The online course also included discussions on how to limit culling of infected and in-contact animals to control outbreaks, disposal of carcasses during outbreaks, and aligning national ASF control policies and legislation. Key to all this is the engagement of local communities for buy-in and sustainability.

“Community members have valuable knowledge, hence participatory problem analysis, design of solutions and decision-making, can boost commitment. We have to learn and understand community priorities and realities to identify together the roles and responsibilities of all players, when designing prevention and control measures at community level,” said Extraordinary Professor Mary-Louise Penrith, lead trainer and international expert on ASF.

Awareness raising at national and community levels is necessary to bring on board everyone in the smallholder pig value chain for adoption. Given that traditional approaches have been around in many countries for a long time and are now anchored in policies and legislation, lobbying for the new approaches is a necessity, including the alignment of legislation.

“Under conditions of limited resources, animal disease management approaches that do not place huge financial inputs upfront, but take into consideration the willing participation of communities, offer better chances of success. The approaches employed in this training course, which are backed by science, will alleviate the socio-economic catastrophe that is associated with the disease in this vulnerable group, while also reducing the national disease control burden,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa.

Through the Virtual Learning Centres, FAO is committed to support implementation of blended approaches of online and in-person training as they play a pivotal role in capacity development for animal health delivery in the region and globally. The VLCs offer a wide range of courses that aim to build skills related to One Health. Courses are available in a range of formats, including online tutored courses, blended learning, technical webinars and mobile learning.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FAO Regional Office for Africa.

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