South Africa

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UN Millennium Development Goals: primary education goal reached

August 19, 2010 in Education, South Africa | No comments

UN Millennium Development Goals

South Africa has delivered on Goal 3 of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which calls for the elimination of gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2015.

According to Engendering Statistics, the primary education enrolment rates of girls about doubled in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa, rising faster than boy’ enrolment rates. This substantially reduced large gender gaps in schooling.

Transforming gender relations

Reflecting on the country and department’s successes during an inaugural Women’s Legacy Dialogue in Pretoria last week, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said research shows that 98% of young people aged 7 to 15 are involved in education programmes.

“Youth literacy in South Africa is at 90%, which is above the average of developing countries. The adult literacy rate has reached 77%, bringing South Africa in line with the average for developing countries.

“Clearly, South Africa is committed to transforming gender relations and to women’s empowerment,” she said, pointing out that the country had a progressive constitution that guaranteed the right to education.

Action Plan to 2014

The department has also developed a comprehensive plan for improving basic education – “Action Plan to 2014: Towards the realisation of Schooling 2025″.

She told delegates that the country has introduced gender-sensitive legislation, like the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act.

Motshekga acknowledged that despite these successes, the country also had challenges, including the implementation of Outcomes Based Education (OBE).

Many teachers believe that the way the curriculum is organised places too many burdens and too great a workload on them, she said.

The department has since established a review committee that aims to reduce these burdens by making the curriculum easier to read and understand and by reducing the marking and reporting requirements.

Source: BuaNews, donateabook.co.za, sasix.co.za, teleread.com

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Business Confidence improves from recession

August 11, 2010 in Economy, South Africa | No comments

South Africa’s Business Confidence Index (BCI) in July recorded the second highest reading this year at 84.3 points, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said on Thursday.

The July figure of 84.3 points is 1.1 point above the July 2009 level following on June 2010′s 84.8 points.

“The figure has improved from the recession but it is still not good enough at the moment,” said SACCI economist Richard Downing of the BCI’S composite weighted index of 13 sub-indices that include new vehicle sales and merchandise import and export volumes.

According to the chamber, the month of July 2010 renewed focus away from the sentiment of the World Cup and returned it to the economic reality of a domestic economy struggling to gain momentum.

The global economy also reflected tensions as the pace of positive financial market developments outpaced a lagging real economy, SACCI said, adding that business confidence has yet to perceive strong and real economic prospects.

“If July 2010 is compared to June 2010 (month on month) five sub indices of the BCI were positive, four were negative and four remained neutral,” said the chamber. Sub-indices of the volumes of merchandise exports as well as imports recorded a relative strong performance compared to previous months.

“The Soccer World Cup 2010 was an exceptional success and although it raised expectations during June 2010, a special effort is required to sustain the positive momentum and enhance the business outlook. Stronger domestic demand and stronger posturing in the international trade environment are necessary to promote sustained improvements in business confidence.”

SACCI said that relative to July 2009, eight of the BCI sub-indices improved with real retail sales and building construction still lagging recent economic improvements. It said that increase in liquidations is a legacy of the recession and the period of exuberance before the recession.

“Higher real financing cost came about by default as inflation trended lower and nominal interest rates remained unchanged,” said SACCI.

The volatility of the exchange rate at present it said is primarily a function of the global financial flow of funds rather than a current account phenomenon.

“South Africa’s highly developed financial markets provide a comfortable platform for these flows to take place over the short term providing the potential for substantial returns. Leads and lags on proceeds or payments of global trade transactions also exaggerate the volatility of the rand exchange rate,” explained SACCI.

It said though the present rand strength was causing some discomfort, the reasons for the strength should be looked at before ill- conceived policy on intervention is implemented thereby contributing to economic distortions with potential unintended consequences for the economy.

BuaNews, openpages.com, sacci.org.za

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Lead SA

August 5, 2010 in Social Responsibilty, South Africa | No comments

What is Lead SA?

Lead SA is a Primedia Broadcasting initiative, supported by Independent Newspapers, that aims to highlight the achievements of the nation and celebrate the efforts of ordinary South Africans who continually seek to do the right thing for themselves, for their families and for their country.

Lead SA encourages individuals to stand up and accept responsibility for the challenges they face. The Lead SA initiative is a long term project that is set to be rolled out over the next few years. Through the small steps of individuals the nation will improve and prosper.

Why Lead SA?

The ability to change your life and your country is in your hands. Rather than feeling helpless, Lead SA encourages you to feel hopeful about your future and play an active part in unlocking the potential of your country. South Africa is filled with passionate people and the nation’s achievements are endless, but we need you to use your leadership potential and move the nation forward.?The real question is why not Lead SA.

How are we going to Lead SA?

Initially, Lead SA will celebrate South Africa and its leaders from Nelson Mandela, to the ordinary people who make a difference to our country through their everyday actions. It’s through the seemingly insignificant actions of others that a nation is built and we will highlight the positive steps people are taking in order to improve the lives of those around them.?We will also challenge issues and behaviours that undermine our country. We will hold those in positions of power accountable for their actions. As the excitement about leading our country develops, we will be guided by listeners and continue to grow our involvement.

How can I get involved in Lead SA?

It’s quite simple. It starts with you. Your actions have an undeniable impact on those around you. By positively changing your behaviour, you are able to positively change the world you live in. Even your seemingly insignificant behaviour, like smiling at a stranger or not littering, has an effect on people’s lives.?By choosing to promote the positive and standing up against the negative, you can lead South Africa.

How can I lead SA?

As a South African, you have the resilience and passion needed to change the nation. It may seem like a huge responsibility and an impossible task, but it’s certainly achievable if you choose to simply do the right thing. Together we can achieve immeasurable success.?Here are a few simple ways to become a proactive leader:

1.    Stand up for what’s right. If you’ve had a glass too many, let a designated driver take you home.
2.    Stand up to corruption. Don’t bribe.
3.    Stand up for morality. Report crime.
4.    Stand up for your community. Get to know your neighbours.
5.    Stand up against indifference. Take an interest in those around you.
6.    Stand up for free speech. Listen to the other side.
7.    Stand up for your future. Respect the environment.
8.    Stand up for education. Read to your children.
9.    Help instead of Hinder. Say yes when asked to do a favour, don’t look for excuses.
10.    Acknowledge goodness. When you have something good to say, say it.

What issues will Lead SA tackle?

Lead SA will tackle challenges and promote opportunities facing South Africa by highlighting both areas of concern and areas of achievement. We will actively try to make a difference through mobilizing the resources and commitment of our listeners and readers.

At the same time, we will make a concerted effort to change the often negative mindset of individuals into something positive. We will constantly provide a holistic view of the country highlighting not only the bad, but also the good. We will celebrate our successes and share the stories of South Africans who make a difference, both large and small. It is our intention to encourage the spirit, inspire a shared vision and enable others to act. Along the way, we will challenge processes that are unfair or inefficient. In doing this we will strive to act as true leaders.

Our country faces many challenges and overcoming them requires action. Accordingly, if we need to mobilize support for an initiative, we will. It is important to keep in mind that the success of Lead SA rests on all of us. Lead SA is about you. It is about your ability to make a difference.

We have short, medium and long-term objectives. While we concentrate on so-called “day to day issues”, and continue to reiterate the need for citizens to “do the right thing”, we have identified five areas of major focus:

*Personal challenge: South Africa has a long heritage of moral leadership. Both ordinary citizens and our great leaders have acted with a morality that has inspired the world. Lead SA recognizes that South Africans want to do the right thing. We will share stories to help each of us keep our moral compass pointed in the right direction. The time has arrived for all of us to do the right thing in all aspects of life. It is time to take the power into your own hands. It begins with you. Do not bribe; respect the law; blow the whistle on criminals; respect the environment; get to know your neighbours; give back to your community by volunteering your time and talents; play an active part in your family; show national pride; listen to others; spread goodwill and the spirit of ubuntu.

*Leadership: Lead SA will constantly highlight excellence in any form. We will profile the “unsung heroes”, share leadership skills and grow and develop new talent. Each and every citizen is a leader in his or her own right. Lead SA will share their stories and use them as examples to inspire others.

*Education: It goes without saying that we will fail if we don’t educate our nation. Lead SA’s goal is to help improve our Matric pass rate. While we highlight the problems within our system, we will also zoom in on solutions and celebrate pockets of excellence – be they educators or learners. In this way, we hope to address the problems of the unskilled and the uneducated.

*Square Kilometer Array (SKA): The Square Kilometer Array is set to be the most powerful radio telescope ever built. South Africa has been shortlisted to win the bid and host this world project. The SKA project will bring huge amounts of technology investment into the continent and will act as a catalyst for education in the science and engineering subjects.

Lead SA will drive the mobilization and at the same time, educate South Africans about the importance of the SKA project. We will constantly outline its benefits from job creation to education and boosting the economy. This project is as important as the 2010 FIFA World Cup and it will take the contribution of all South Africans in order to ensure its success.

*Sport: Sport is always seen as a way of unifying the nation and the 2010 FIFA World Cup was testimony to this. The grassroots development of soccer needs to be promoted and encouraged at every turn. At the same time, we must get behind our national soccer squad and ensure they qualify for 2014 Brazil. We will focus on the many steps that need to be taken to ensure that Bafana Bafana shines. We will mobilize support to get the 2020 Olympics to one of our cities

In summary, Lead SA will make a difference in all areas. We must be the change we want to see. We are encouraging you as a South African to stand up and lead South Africa, for the sake of your family, your community, and your country.

I’m not a leader in the workplace or my community, can I still Lead SA?

There are many different types of leaders. We don’t all have a platform and a voice, but we can all have a big heart. History starts not in the future but now, with people like you leading our beautiful country forward.

One of South Africa’s greatest leaders Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu recently announced his retirement from public life, but that doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop being a leader.

How can I see if Lead SA is making an impact?

You can follow Lead SA on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube. The Lead SA website (www.leadsa.co.za) will also feature ongoing projects and inspirational stories of everyday South Africans who continue to make a difference in their communities.

This information can help you get inspired and make a difference.

How do I contact Lead SA?

VIEW LEAD SA WEBSITE

You can contact us at

Email: info@leadsa.co.za

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South Africa indigenous fruit and vegetables can create jobs

July 29, 2010 in Environment and Nature, South Africa | No comments

The mass production of South Africa’s indigenous fruit and vegetables can go a long way in helping to eradicate poverty, according to experts attending the Indigenous Knowledge System Expo in Durban. Around 20 types of indigenous fruit have been identified in South Africa, many of which have been found to possess larger amounts of vitamins and minerals than common fruits sold in markets, according to Rosemary Du Preez.

Du Preez works in the field of development agriculture and is responsible for the agricultural component of a large programme introducing high value crops such as fruit trees and essential oils. The project is active in 52 rural villages with 2000 participating households in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo.

During her presentation at the expo, she said that in addition to job creation, which would in turn tackle poverty issues around the country, the cultivation of indigenous fruit would lead to the search and identification for alternative crops.

Biologist Carina Malherbe supported the need for development of indigenous products on the basis that South Africa is the third most biological diverse country after Indonesia and Brazil.

Malherbe, who has been tasked with managing and conserving indigenous resources, said unfortunately the commercialising indigenous produce was tied up in red tape.

There are laws in South Africa that regulate bioprospecting and people living in rural areas are not well versed in the legislation. This puts them on an unequal footing in negotiations with other stakeholders.

Malherbe urged government to give rural communities assistance in this regard and more clarity on some aspects of the law.

Source: BuaNews

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Plans to get more children to school

July 26, 2010 in Education, South Africa | No comments

Government has unveiled plans to get more than 200 000 children between the ages of seven and 15 to school by 2014.

President Jacob Zuma, speaking after a mid-year Cabinet Lekgotla on Thursday, said the plan will be achieved by increasing the number of no-fee schools while widening feeding schemes to assist children from poor families.

“There will also be a drive to ensure that teachers are in class, teaching for the allocated school time. The delivery agreements have been negotiated with all the key stakeholders including provincial education departments and the trade unions,” Zuma said.

He said the Lekgotla, which was attended by Cabinet members, Premiers and MECs, agreed that to improve the quality of basic education, there was a need for a focus on the quality of teaching to improve results.

“In order to achieve this we will be providing all schools with appropriate learner and teacher support material such as lesson plans, work books, and textbooks to ensure proper coverage of the curriculum,” said Zuma.

Meanwhile, health authorities have reached about 90 percent of children under the age of five for polio immunisation across the country while 95 percent between the ages six months and 14 years have been immunised for measles.

Source: BuaNews, cap.org.za

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