“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It’s man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by actions of human beings” – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
A day to commemorate and recognise the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is set aside every year on the 17th of October by the United Nations.
In the spirit of Mandela Day, you can take part in an upcoming initiative dedicated to assisting victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger.
The National Development Agency (NDA) with its partners, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Nelson Mandela Foundation, Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), Department of Social Development (DSD) and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), are driving the message “making giving back a lifestyle” to the streets and hearts of all South Africans.
The NDA and all the campaign partners invite you to join them to "Paint South Africa Green" on 17 October 2014, to plant seedlings and trees at Thokoza Eco Cooperative – a female-led agricultural project that farms vegetable and nursery products, and produces vermin compost, broilers, waste management and aqua-culture fishery on land provided by the Ekurhuleni Municipality in the East Rand.
“The Nelson Mandela Foundation supports the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and urges all South African’s to take ownership of their futures. Our support is echoed against the backdrop of Tata Nelson Mandela’s sentiments that poverty is not natural, it’s man-made and as such can be overcome and eradicated by actions of human beings” says Sello Hatang, CEO of Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The cooperative provides produce to Brackenhurst Spar and surrounding restaurants. This is an example of collective responsibility through communities to ensure change that is positive and impactful.
Date: 17 October 2014
Venue: 27 Puledi Street, Thokoza (Alberton)
Time: 06h00-11h00
Dress code: Green T-shirts (organisers will provide, please send shirt size with your RSVP)
RSVP: Lesego Ranchu on lesegor@nda.org.za by midday 15 October 2014. Programme will be sent to confirmed attendees.
“We have identified partners for this campaign carefully. It was important to partner with organisations that are concerned with the eradication of poverty in South Africa. Whilst the NDA is primarily tasked with the mandate to contribute towards eradicating poverty, there are many other companies, civil society organisations and people who work tirelessly to achieve the same. We also want those people on board,” said Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo, CEO of the NDA.
The campaign calls on all South Africans to stand together and fight poverty by dedicating their time towards acts of goodwill that will ensure sustainable developmental programmes and Paint South Africa Green.
The guiding principles are contained in the Millennium Development Goals: eradication of extreme poverty and hunger; universal primary education; gender equality and empowering women; promotion of gender equality and women empowerment; reduction of child mortality; improvement of maternal health; fighting against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; environmental sustainability; and forming global partnerships for development.
“An act of goodwill is guided by the number “17” that seeks to create an awareness of the day. Making giving back a lifestyle requires resources and one’s time, the very minimum 17 minutes, to make a difference to someone’s life in alignment to the MDGs.
"That could vary from collecting 17 pairs of shoes to give to achieving learners from poor communities, volunteering 17 lessons of maths and science to matric learners from poor-performing schools, or helping start 17 food gardens at an ante-natal clinic to help pregnant women and so on. There are no limitations to what people can do – the acts just need to be developmental and sustainable. We would love to hear what people and companies undertake to do,” explains Nhlapo.
The campaign also calls on all South Africans to wear green T-shirts on the day. The green will symbolise the stand they are taking to achieving balance, harmony and growth for all people of South Africa.
Any companies, individuals, government departments, civil society organisations, schools and trade unions who wish to participate or make pledges for the International Day for the Eradications of Poverty activities are invited to contact Lindi Xaji on 011 018 5569 or lindix@nda.org.za.
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About the National Development Agency
The NDA’s primary mandate is to contribute towards the eradication of poverty and its causes. It provides development grant funding to civil society organisations to implement integrated and sustainable community-driven programmes and contribute towards the eradication of poverty in the following focus areas:
- Capacity Building
- Early Childhood Development
- Food Security
- Income Generation
- Support of Vulnerable Groups
Contact: Lesego Ranchu
Communications Officer – National Development Agency
011 018 5516/ 073 547 2800/lesegor@nda.org.za