This week the first lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama and her daughters landed in South Africa. It is unclear whether there was a state level impetus for her visit, but the response on the ground in South Africa has been overwhelmingly positive. According to reports locals have been extremely impressed with Mrs. Obama’s warmth and quick wit. Mrs. Obama has engaged with the public and even took a momentary break from the media chaos to address a group of young women in town for a Young Women’s Leadership conference. So far they have only been to Gauteng where they visited the Apartheid museum and a nursery school in Zandspruit. She was also able to wrangle a few moments with Madiba and the family of President Jacob Zuma. The Obamas are also expected to visit various sites of importance in other parts of the country.
The diplomatic relations between South Africa and the United States are inextricably tied to the pursuit of democracy, international cooperation in development, global security and the fight against HIV/AIDS. Mrs. Obama’s visit and her openness with the people of South Africa have reaffirmed the even more important personal relationship between the two countries.
Watch this space for updates as this story unfolds.
Everyone has a responsibility to support people living with HIV and AIDS. Photo: Development Works via Flickr
Currently there are more than 33 million people in the world living with HIV and AIDS, according to avert.org. This website also reports that 605,480 people died of HIV and AIDS related causes in South Africa in 2006 (although this is sometimes difficult to calculate). Many people have relatives, friends, and partners who have died of HIV and AIDS.
In the past few years a lot has been done by governments, health organisations and researchers to develop medication and preventative measures for this incurable disease. But this is also a disease that requires personal responsibility from those affected by it. (more…)
Speakers take part in the Health Summit held in Khayelitsha. Photo: Nondumiso Ntsengentsu
Khayelitsha residents came in great numbers to the two-day Health Summit that was held at Isiphiwo Primary School in Harare on Saturday and Sunday, 20-21 November. This was their chance to voice their concerns regarding health care service delivery.
Funders and sponsors like Capitec Bank gave messages of support at the Summit and the current status of health in Khayelitsha was discussed by Dr Virginia Azevedo of the City Health Department.
In her presentation, Dr Azevedo showed that there is a high mortality rate for children under the age of 5 with Gastro-Aids. The high number of people who are suffering from womb cancer shows the poor access to antenatal care in Khayelitsha, compared to other areas like Michell’s plain.
Professor Nomafrench Mbombo, a deputy director at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) School of Nursing said antenatal care during pregnancy is of great importance, so that problems with the health of the mother or the baby can be diagnosed at an early stage. “No woman should die unnecessary,” she said. (more…)
Patricia de Lille was appointed as Minister of Social Development in the Western Cape. Photo: Carolyn Meads via Flickr
Premier Helen Zille has reshuffled her cabinet in the Western Cape and Patricia de Lille has been appointed as the new Minister of Social Development. It will now be interesting to see what the impact will be on the social development sector in the province.
Polity.org reports that De Lille said: “Social development is my passion. For 24 years I’ve been fighting for the poor and the downtrodden. You won’t find me in an office, I will be out there dealing with the problems on the ground.”
This follows after the ID, the political party formed by De Lille in 2003, joined the DA on 15 August this year. According to Who’s Who of Southern Africa De Lille was the first woman to form a political party in this country.
South African History Online says De Lille has been vocal on “sensitive issues such as corruption, HIV/AIDS, women and child abuse, children in prison, xenophobia and poverty”. She also serves on the boards of the following organisations:
The new appointment might mean new energy in the sector. Whatever happens, the most important thing is the impact on the poorest communities. Will a new appointment make a difference to them?
Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robben Island. Photo: Samantha Marx
On International Nelson Mandela Day, people all over the world are meant to spend 67 minutes doing something to benefit their community. Creative Consulting & Development Works has some ideas of how you can get involved in your community as well.
The man behind this day
Anti-apartheid activist and first democratic president of South Africa, Nelson Rholihlala Mandela, is the inspiration behind this day, because even though he was jailed by the apartheid government for 27 years, he never saw his release from prison as time for revenge. After his release on 11 February 1990 he advocated peace, reconciliation and the rebuilding of the South African nation.
According to www.mandeladay.comNelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. “All we are asking is that everyone gives 67 minutes of their time, whether it’s supporting your chosen charity or serving your local community.”
What can you do?
Creative Consulting & Development Works, as a research, evaluation and communications consultancy working in a development context, often deals with non-profit organisations and we would like to suggest that you volunteer to help some of them on Mandela Day or any other day of the year!
One of the Community Based Organisations in the NACOSA network.
NACOSA is a national civil society network of HIV and AIDS and TB role players, which includes NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and other developmental organisations, who seek to contribute to reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS.
You can contact NACOSA at info@nacosa.org.za or on 021 461 7348 and perhaps get involved in a Community Based Organisation close to you.
Adonis Musati Project
Recently, Development Works presented a Preferred Futuring workshop to the NGO for refugees, Adonis Musati Project. AMP provides clothing, blankets, food packs, medicine and toiletries to refugees and help them to compile and send out their CVs. They help refugees to access transport, accommodation and training. The Adonis Musati Project also has a halfway house for refugee children and single mothers.
You can help Adonis Musati by providing food or toiletries, volenteering to transport goods, assisting on week mornings in the refugee office, or making a cash donation. Contact AMP on 021 448 3348 or email Gayle at gayle@adonismusatiproject.org.
View the video below on the Preferred Futuring workshop that we conducted for the Adonis Musati Project as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.
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.
This week the first lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama and her daughters landed in South Africa. It is unclear whether there was a state level impetus for her visit, but the response on the ground in South Africa has been overwhelmingly positive. According to reports locals have been extremely impressed with Mrs. Obama’s warmth and quick wit. Mrs. Obama has engaged with the public and even took a momentary break from the media chaos to address a group of young women in town for a Young Women’s Leadership conference. So far they have only been to Gauteng where they visited the Apartheid museum and a nursery school in Zandspruit. She was also able to wrangle a few moments with Madiba and the family of President Jacob Zuma. The Obamas are also expected to visit various sites of importance in other parts of the country.
