Edition 16 shines a spotlight on CSI and CSI works:
We explore industry benchmarks in corporate social investment (CSI) spend and how this impacts on national social economic development (SED).
We guide you on how best you can increase the sustainability of your CSI programme.
We consider the importance of establishing partnerships – a hot topic at the CSI Matters conference.
Finally, we share some valuable development lessons from Africa via Dr Pandelani Mathoma, GM of Old Mutual Corporate Affairs guest speaker at the conference.
We hope you enjoy our newsletter and are able to leave with new insights and inspiration. You’re welcome to make contact via email should you have any questions, if you would like to further discuss topics highlighted in our newsletter or require more information on our services!
In South Africa, and around the world, Madiba (or more commonly known as ‘Nelson Mandela’), has become an icon and a pure representation of strength, triumph, and pride.
One of my favorite aspects of Nelson Mandela’s life and influence is how he has impacted everyone in such a unique and individualized way. Regardless of your race or background, everyone shares a deep admiration and respect for a man who so whole-heartedly sacrificed his life for the betterment of other people.
As many of you know, last week, Mandela was hospitalized in Johannesburg for an acute respiratory infection, though his health was not in jeopardy. He’s a strong man and we’re happy to report that Mandela was released from the hospital on Friday and is now finishing his recovery at home.
According to the Associated Press, “On Saturday, South Africa’s deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe visited Mandela at home and said Mandela was happy to have returned from the hospital. Doctors examined him at his home earlier Saturday and left satisfied with his condition, said Thabo Masebe, Motlanthe’s spokesman.”
*********
On behalf of Creative Consulting & Development Works, we wish Madiba a healthy and speedy recovery and are keeping him in our thoughts and well-wishes.
Not everyone is privileged enough to receive three meals a day. Photo DFID via Flickr
Tomorrow is World Food Day. Think about going to bed hungry every night. Think about waking up in the morning and knowing that you’ll remain hungry.
Think about relying on your own small garden for your survival.
Think about what it would mean if you could no longer grow your food due to drought, or having to leave your home because of armed conflict. Think about not being able to feed your children. (more…)
Ghana proceed to the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Photo: Ghana Football Association
Ghana’s football team, the Black Stars, qualified last night for the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. While South Africa and other African countries have fallen out of the tournament, African hopes now rest on Ghana to keep the continent’s World Cup dreams alive.
Ghana lost last night when they conceded a goal to Germany, but they had performed well enough in their previous games to advance to the next round. They will play USA on Saturday.
If you are going to support this team, you need to at least know a little about the country. Don’t worry, Creative Consulting & Development Works will quickly clue you up:
Ghana is located in North West Africa, next to Ivory Coast and Togo and its capital is Accra. The country has a population of more than 20 million and there are about 26 different languages spoken in the country.
History and Politics
According to Wikipedia, the word Ghana means “Warrior King” and derives from the Ghana Empire in pre-colonial times. According to BBC.co.uk it was the first place in sub-Saharan Africa where Europeans arrived to trade – first in gold and later in slaves. Ghana became a British colony in 1874, but it also became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve independence in 1957. Kwame Nkrumah was the first president. The current president, John Atta Mills, was elected in 2008.
Economy
Some of Ghana’s major exports are gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, and diamonds. Major off shore oil reserves were discovered in 2007. Ghana is one of the leading exporters of cocoa in the world. According to Ghanaweb.com the country’s economy is dominated by agriculture, which employs about 40 percent of the working population.
Watch a video of President John Atta Mills talking about Ghana’s economy and education system below:
Ghana Outlook, a UK registered charity, with the objectives of supporting education and health through self help projects in rural communities in Ghana.
Ghana Rights and Voice Initiative, which is targeted at strengthening the voices of people living in poverty and who are marginalised to engage with Government on fundamental human rights issues.
Good Work Ghana, a Dutch organisation that organises trips for Dutch volunteers to go do good work in Ghana.
South Africans may be disappointed that Bafana Bafana did not advance to the second round of the World Cup, even though they definitely made the nation proud with the win over France. But South Africans now need to rally behind other teams and still enjoy this spectacular event in our country. Maybe you will support the remaining African team, or maybe you have another favourite. Whoever you choose, continue to go to fan parks and matches and make the visitors in our country feel welcome. Support the South African World Cup!
Elano Blumer scored a goal for his children. Photo: http://pesindeyizgs.blogspot.com
After Brazilian football player Elano Blumer scored a goal last night in the 2010 FIFA World Cup match against Côte d’Ivoire, he took out his shin guards and showed them to the camera. The names of his children were written on them.
What a wonderful gesture on Father’s Day! Creative Consulting & Development Works acknowledges the potential that fathers have to protect and ensure the healthy, positive development of children. This is emphasised by the African Fathers Initiative which “aims to be a continent-wide institutional base for the generation, collection, and dissemination of knowledge and skills about responsible and involved fatherhood across all races and faiths in Africa”. Their website provides research on fatherhood in Africa, refers to policy involving fathers and gives tips to fathers on how to perform their role well. This includes how to tell your children you love them, how to raise a daughter and how to support your pregnant partner.
Teenage Tata - HSRC Press
In South Africa the Human Sciences Research Council runs The Fatherhood Project. This Project aims to, among other things, “rally peer professional support to enable men to be more involved in children’s lives”. They recognise that fathers are often absent in South Africa and that cases of neglect and abuse are rife. However, the project celebrates those father figures, including brothers, grandfathers, uncles and cousins, friends, teachers and preachers that truly have a positive impact on the children for whom they are rolemodels.
But let’s not forget about Brazil’s opponents in the game last night: We also have a story to tell about fatherhood in Côte d’Ivoire. Watch this video about a father’s love for his HIV positive son, posted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Living Proof Project on You Tube.
Creative Consulting & Development Works is a research, evaluation and communications consultancy, servicing nonprofits, government and funders with innovative solutions in a development context.
On our blog, Development Talks, we discuss politics and social development. We are interested in the impact of politics on the ordinary citizen and the political activities of those on the ground.
economic development (SED).
