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ACFTA should help cross-border traders
News
22 January 2021

ACFTA should help cross-border traders

A Cross Border Traders activation event, which Southern Africa Trust hosted with the Malawi Cross Border Traders Association in January 2020 (hence the absence of face masks). At this activation, the new COMESA trade guidelines were launched, specifically to support and protect women in cross-border trade

The Southern Africa Trust (SAT) has welcomed the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), which came into effect on 1 January 2021, expressing the hope that it will significantly benefit women and youth cross-border trade, particularly in southern Africa. 

Christabel Phiri, a Mobilization and Engagement Manager at the Trust, said her organisation has been proactive in addressing the plight of women cross-border traders for many years, especially those in the informal economy selling products such as vegetables, fruit, fish, meat and dairy products.

The Trust also focuses on influencing policies to end poverty, and Phiri plays a strong role in ensuring that this vision is realised.  She has extensive experience in facilitating dialogue between policymakers and civil society organisations, as well as a rich capability in policy-relevant research management skills.

The staff of the organisation play an instrumental role in bringing the poor, the government and the private sector together to find solutions, oversees the various programmes at The Trust that support responsive policy development. Working across the fields of agriculture, trade and migration, the staff monitor how these programmes affect the lives of the poor.

The Trust, according to Phiri, was established to give agency to people living and affected by poverty through innovative and proactive interventions which challenge for polices in the region to support the improvement of their quality of life. 

The Trust works through partnerships formed with civil society organisations, governments and intergovernmental agencies to ensure that development achieved through regional integration and economic growth is driven by the participation of citizens in the SADC region to reduce poverty.

Phiri said the launch of the AFCTA is poised to improve trade relations between African countries, saying enlarged regional markets offer local small and medium enterprises supply and value chain linkages into other markets outside the region. 

Phiri added that informal cross-border trading is important not only as a source of employment; it also assists in the eradication of poverty and contributes immensely to food security. 

She said women, who are major players in this cross-border trade sector, stand to benefit the most from any measures aimed at promoting cross-border trading.

“The AFCTA offers local entrepreneurs, especially women, many opportunities, including agricultural transformation. Farmers stand to benefit, largely from opportunities to add value to their products and contribute to the regional body chains, and feed into many sectors,” said Phiri. 

“Women comprise over 80% of the sector in the SADC region. It is one sector that has been able to turn women into breadwinners, and empowered many women to be financially independent and be able to put food on the table. The sector has a positive gender impact and must be supported.”

The AFCTA is currently the largest trading bloc in the world, comprising 54 African nations. 

According to the African Union (AU), AFCTA is larger than the European Union in terms of geographical expansion and the number of member states. 

The agreement aims to boost trade by 52% by harmonising a market of more than 1.2-billion people; it will become one of the world’s biggest free trade markets.

The agreement will consolidate the many small, fragmented markets in Africa for investment flows, especially in export-led manufacturing. It will also help the continent meet the targets of numerous Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

However, African nations have a lot of internal reforms to achieve if the benefits contained in the AFCTA are to be attained. Analysts say corruption, bureaucracy and other bottlenecks to trade have to be dealt with before the AFCTA can be successfully implemented. 

African economists and policy analysts have asked several pertinent questions about AFCTA: are African nations really as pan-African as they claim to be? Do they have more than national interest at heart? How will the AFCTA work where other regional blocs have failed?

Augustine Tawanda, General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Cross Border Traders Association, said he hoped AFCTA is able to open up space for fair trade and positively impact on the informal economy operators. 

“As small-scale traders we lobbied for the COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) Simplified Trade Regime (COMESA-STR) as we negotiated for the AFCTA, and we hope it will benefit informal operators, because previously, the tone of the trade agreements always favoured the interests of the multinational companies and big players, leaving small informal traders out in the cold,” said Tawanda. 

He said it would also be important to watch how the AFCTA will also deal with challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Tawanda said the situation at Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe was unacceptable and put the lives of many people, including traders, at risk. 

He said cross-border trade on foot was halted and large consignments were stuck at the border post, while drivers complained of long queues due to the mandatory coronavirus testing at Beitbridge border post. 

“We witnessed the chaos and stories at Beitbridge border post. It was definitely a pathetic situation. Obviously systems were overrun and actually exposed a lot of people to the dangers of Covid-19, including informal traders. We hope the AFCTA will address these issues.”

Tawanda said the closure of borders affected thousands of Zimbabwean cross-border traders, who had to deal with South Africa’s Border Management Authority Act 2 of 2020. 

Phiri said The Trust is deeply concerned about how many informal cross-border traders and farmers in southern Africa are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The pandemic, she added, has created many challenges for many countries in southern Africa, including South Africa. Land port closures affect trade across physical borders, much of which is small-scale and informal, and which requires the movement of people. 

“There are no employment opportunities and many poor and vulnerable people’s lives are in jeopardy,” said Phiri.

“There has been limited movement across borders due to Covid-19 pandemic affecting cross-border trade and livelihoods. We are currently engaging with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the AU on how to intervene and harmonise cross-border trade.”

She said the Covid-19 pandemic has meant loss of income for cross-border traders, adding that it has also brought to light “the weak healthcare systems we have in Africa”.

“Many traders run informal businesses and their businesses are not registered. When countries offered relief packages to businesses and other sectors, cross-border traders lost out and did not receive any financial support because many are not formalised,” said Phiri. 

She said while AFCTA was welcomed, the challenge for organisations such as The Trust at the moment is how to assist informal cross-borders traders during the pandemic to recapitalise their businesses, as many are unable to access formal financing. 

Many traders, particularly those in Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, are unbanked and rely on expensive informal loan sharks for bulk stock purchases.

“It’s very difficult to approach banks as they demand security and a clean profile. That’s been the biggest challenge facing traders during the pandemic. Many informal traders are now in debt and are not able to repay loan sharks, and face major risks,” said Phiri. 

“There are so many challenges at the borders. Access to information is one of them. Most of the traders do not have the relevant documents. We also need better border management systems, including infrastructure and improvement of roads.” 

Phiri said one of the urgent priorities of The Trust with regards to AFCTA was to ensure that traders have access to information in English and various national local languages. 

She said translation of information is also crucial, arguing that the risk of not translating information is that it perpetuates marginalisation through language and disempowers cross border traders from being able to trade to the best of their ability within their markets. Diversity of language is an enabler of progress for the work to end poverty, said Phiri.

“We also need better communication strategies around the Covid-19 pandemic, using platforms such as WhatsApp and other social media apps. Community radio stations can also play a role and be used to inform citizens about AFCTA and its benefits,” said Phiri. 

For more details, visit https://www.southernafricatrust.org/

By info@southernafricatrust.org
Civil Society Leadership Reflects on Lessons from the Global Pandemic
Society Talks
21 October 2020

Civil Society Leadership Reflects on Lessons from the Global Pandemic

Society Talks is a public dialogue hosted by the southern Africa Trust through a live stream on YouTube. The dialogue brings together stakeholders within the development and business community, civil society and the public to inform, engage and share experiences with the broader society.

In the 21st instalment, the panelists discussed the experiences and lessons learnt from the pandemic, that civil society leaders across the region can use to strengthen their personal and professional capabilities, for the communities that they serve. The panelists included Janet Zhou, executive director of ZIMCCOD, Shireen Motara, social Entrepreneur, Board Member, Executive Coach and Mentor, facilitated by Masego Madzwamuse, CEO of Southern Africa Trust.

Janet summarised a recent article she wrote, highlighting the deficiencies in the leadership of the government sector during the pandemic. She spoke of lessons she learnt through the process, starting with her preparations for ‘Doomsday’ – the lockdowns and restrictions imposed as a means to curb the spread of the virus. Seeing the traditional role of civil society as becoming almost redundant, Janet said without preparation, they would have been caught flat-footed, unable to hold the solution makers accountable. She noted that civil society should have been classified as essential work during the pandemic, so they could defend livelihoods, human rights and dignity.

The next lesson was termed ‘heavy lifting’ – keeping the communication channels between the various stakeholders open, as the activities of civil society were immobilised. This included allaying the fears of the team and the stakeholders, with regards to the continuity of their work, as well as safeguards against being exposed to the virus. Janet moved on to agility – the need to adapt to new ways of working, using digital platforms.

Shireen entered into the conversation with her observations of organizations adapting their working structures internally, embracing technology to facilitate remote working. She reflected how this ‘forced ’experiment has resulted in many of these organisations relooking at how they work, and whether or not they actually need offices anymore. She also mentioned some of the changes externally – particularly the increased engagement with donors. Shireen noted how the burden of helping communities with food, medical supplies etc. fell to civil society, rather than government; and how the communities, with extremely limited access to digital technology, really suffered.

Janet continued with her reflections on agility, and how a need arose for CSOs to equip and train the communities to use digital technology, specifically on the platforms that needed to be used. She spoke of the difficulties in coordinating the teams, but how it was facilitated by having the ‘Doomsday’ plan in place. She touched on the need for entrepreneurial leadership in the NGO and CSO space, “never waste a crisis, there are always opportunities”.

Shireen supported Janet’s comments on the need for more entrepreneurial leadership in civil society, saying that there is need for adaptability, seeing new ways of doing things. Reviewing her thoughts on what she observed, interacting as a member on Boards which she sits, Shireen said that the leaders that were open and accepting of the fact that they had to collaborate and rely on their teams were more successful at dealing with the pandemic. She said this prompted new skills to emerge. Another noteworthy action was the strategy planning, for various proposed scenarios – this kind of thinking and planning, she said, enabled forward movement.    

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By info@southernafricatrust.org
Updated statement on Coronavirus and urgent calls to action
News
15 September 2020

Updated statement on Coronavirus and urgent calls to action

The sharp increase in Coronavirus infections within the Southern Africa region is cause for great concern and calls for immediate remedial action. In less than a week, the number of infections has increased five times over and infiltrated into all but four of the 16 SADC member nations. For the vulnerable and those living in poverty in the region, this results in increased pressure on our medical and disaster recovery resources, therefore compromising the various economies that sustain all people living and working in the region.

Our primary concern is more specifically for women, small businesses, informal and cross-border traders, small scale farmers, migrant workers and refugees, domestic workers, and ex-mine workers in the region. Many of these individuals are the primary caregivers and economic providers for their families and yet are highly vulnerable to exposure to the virus, this over and above their existing exposure risks. The civil society organizations that work specifically with these groups of individuals require increased access to flexible solutions in order to facilitate their relief in these challenging times.

The continued spread of Coronavirus across the Southern Africa region presents unimaginable challenges that our benefactors and the people of the region will not survive, unless drastic short- and long-term measures are implemented immediately. 

While many nations have implemented precautionary mechanisms to limit the spread of Coronavirus, we are deeply concerned with the light manner in which they are taken by national residents. Ours is a region with many migrant workers who regularly cross borders in various capacities; as such, any non-compliance with precautionary declarations will have a direct impact on the greater region and thus increase the spread and rate of infection of the virus. We stand in solidarity with the vulnerable populations of our region and therefore make calls and statements for action:

  • We commend the decision of governments to lockdown countries and cities in their drive to flatten the curve of the spread. As difficult as this decision is and with the various complexities it presents, we call upon the national leadership of each SADC country to implement nationwide lockdown. This is for the sake of the survival of their people and economies. It is at this time that collaboration with the private sector becomes necessary. In addition to working with the government sector, we call upon employers and economic influencers across all industries to make extended provision for the lifeblood of their organizations – their workers and immediate communities. 
  • The work and voices of civil society organizations, the arts sector and community foundations become increasingly relevant at this time as they engage with and represent the most vulnerable communities. We urgently call upon governments and the private sector to provide financial relief in supporting the civil society sector, as they will do for the small business sector.  
  • We call on governments to recognize the intersectionality of the borders in the SADC region by providing financial and well-being support mechanisms that include migrant workers living in countries where they work. All instances of relief need to factor in temporary and national residents.
  • It is important to acknowledge the work of medical service practitioners and civil servants who are at the front line of the pandemic and work tirelessly to fight an unknown enemy. As an organization, we salute your selfless work and will support you throughout this time.
  • We encourage SADC governments to ensure that all public health facilities are equipped with adequate testing, protective and other necessary equipment such as beds and medicines. It is imperative that villages, informal settlements and townships have access to clean water throughout this precautionary period.

To our partners, we will remain fully accessible to each of you. It is in times like this that our level of communication and engagement should deepen, albeit through use of modern technology mechanisms. In addition to having access with our team members, we’d like to invite you to collaborate with us in developing a body of knowledge that collates ours and the experiences of the vulnerable who we serve. Please expect a follow-on letter in the coming days where we will share details of this invitation, how each of us can participate and the intended outcomes arising from this.

It will be through our ability to collaborate particularly in this time that an impactful difference can be made as we navigate through the pandemic. We ask that you remain vigilant and committed to your beneficiaries in what is a tough time for all.

To our donors, we remain committed to our mandate and will work innovatively during this time to make the impact that you have entrusted us with. We ask for your continued support in enabling our mandate to the people of our region.

To the people of the SADC region and across the globe, we ask that each of us remain resilient and steadfast in overcoming Coronavirus. It is every person’s responsibility to comply with state declarations and extend these where needed, in order to contain the rapid spread. 

We firmly believe that in the same way the region has overcome past pandemics and injustices, we will overcome Coronavirus. The future of the region is in our hands.

From the Board and Executive Management of Southern Africa Trust

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By info@southernafricatrust.org
Reflections on the past and plans for the future
Our Impact
10 September 2020

Reflections on the past and plans for the future

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By info@southernafricatrust.org
Lessons and Reflections of how Regional Organisations should enable Civil Society
Society Talks
2 September 2020

Lessons and Reflections of how Regional Organisations should enable Civil Society

In the 17th instalment, the conversation reflected some of the lessons learned during the pandemic, and the recommendations from partners of the Trust. The panelists included Christabel Phiri (Programme Manager), Marlon Zakeyo (Executive Manager for Programmes) and Masego Madzwamuse (CEO), of Southern Africa Trust.

Looking at the status quo at present, compared to that in May, Marlon began with his view that young people hold the key to the future. Mentioning earlier sessions of Society Talks, he recalled that while older people were fixated on how they were going to cope with a virus about which so little was known, the youth spoke more positively about how to create a bigger and better future on the back of it. He also mentioned his admiration for the partner organizations’ resilience and adaptability to the ‘new normal’.

Christabel spoke of the vulnerability of civil society, in terms of both financial sustainability and the accessibility of resources. She said civil society organizations and non-state actors need to move from developing funding proposals to a more active role of resource generation and establishing social enterprise. Mentioning women cross border trade, she said social insurance and protection is needed more than ever. In response to organizations being unable to implement their programmes or interact with their constituencies, having to use alternative methods of communication, has highlighted the lack of technology. Also, on that note, she emphasized how important it is right now, to strengthen advocacy and ensure that governments are held accountable to implement their programmes and policies, with no further delays.

Marlon explained Regional Apex Organizations of Civil Society: umbrella associations representing different NGO organizations and social movements, these include the SADC Council of NGOs, Economic Justice Network, and Christian Councils of Southern Africa, with a sister platform representing the social movements and informal organizations.

In terms of the issues, Marlon began with the economic devastation that has been experienced by communities, and also the definition of ‘front-line workers’ – in addition to the healthcare workers, the civil society organizations who have been working with the vulnerable, must be included in this grouping. Without these CSO workers, issues like gender-based violence would not have been brought to light.

Christabel expanded on this, mentioning a movement to expand technology and communication amongst the cross-border trade associations, so that trade can be facilitated once again. Looking at access to resources and funding, there has been an effort to update membership details so that when borders reopen, trade is not delayed. In addition, opportunities for activities to generate an income while cross border trade is still prohibited, have emerged, like the making of masks.

With regards to miners and migrant workers, particularly those with occupational diseases, communication was vital to ensure access to healthcare. CSOs have had to engage with government on behalf of these extremely vulnerable constituencies, finding ways to work around pandemic restrictions at times.

There has been collaboration between the private sector and various organizations, to bring aid to those most in need. An example was mining communities, who’s most pressing need was food.    

Marlon reflected on how so many interactions, even weddings and funerals, have become digital, and how there is a risk of exclusion for members of communities who do not have access. He also spoke of the collaboration between groups – in times of a pandemic, no organization can work alone, if success is to be achieved.  

Looking at social protection, and the deficit in funding, most the funding at present comes from donors, which is obviously limited. Governments need to be engaged, to see how much they can allocate to social protection systems, to ensure a basic level of income protection for most of their citizens.

Christabel spoke of the unique opportunity that has been provided through the pandemic, showing us what the challenges are, where the most important issues lie. Programmes can be finetuned to address the needs of specific groups, like smallholder farmers and women cross border traders.

Marlon expounded on the Basic Income Grant, and how this needs to be developed – using the experiences of people during this pandemic, to prepare for the next one, or the next natural disaster. He said there needs to be an understanding that social protection is not a privilege, or a handout, it’s a basic right.

Summing up the three biggest issues, Masego listed social protection, ending hunger and food insecurity, and rethinking of the economic system.

In response to Masego’s question of what the ideal future in Southern Africa would look like to them, the panelists replied:

  • Solidarity within the sector
  • Partnerships between civil society and the private sector
  • Digital transformation
  • Strengthening of operations, specifically in saving
  • Improved access to information – shared experiences, knowledge, research, data
  • More integration of cultures within the SADC region
  • More equality, in terms of healthcare
  • A self-reliant Southern Africa in terms of food security, falling back on traditional practices
  • The re-defining of front-line / essential workers
  • A stronger education system
  • Robust community organizations

 

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By info@southernafricatrust.org
The Private Sector, Agriculture and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Society Talks
26 August 2020

The Private Sector, Agriculture and the COVID-19 Pandemic

In the 16th instalment, the conversation focused on the increased pressure on food security in Southern Africa, exacerbated by the Coronavirus pandemic, especially for smallholder farmers, rural and vulnerable groups. The panellists included by Lusanda Ncoliwe, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Tulo Makwati, co-ordinator of the SADC Business Council, Zachy Mbenna, executive director of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation, facilitated by Ian Mashingaidze, of behalf of the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS).

Lusanda opened the dialogue with her view on the interconnectivity between private business and the farmers – and how this link between the food source and the private sector is really important. Discussing the advantages of the Free Trade Agreement, Lusanda touched on the possibility of being able to trade freely within SADC and the rest of Africa, closing the food security gap.

Speaking of the impact of COVID-19, she said that during the lockdown, smallholder farmers were excluded from the value chain, yet retailers remained open and trading. This had an effect on the people who were not able to access these retailers or afford the inflated food prices. One of the main problems is legislation, and the lack thereof that does not allow free trade between countries in Africa. Lusanda believes that the problem is not that there is insufficient food to feed Africa, but that legislation and red tape is hindering the ability to direct food to where it is needed.

Tulo gave a bit of background on the purpose of the SADC Business Council – chiefly the inclusion and consultation of private sector in policy processes. Another key area is the promoting of regional values chains, primarily in the areas of mining, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, through workshops. He said the biggest problem that emerges from these sessions, is the need to domesticate the regional policies. Tulo also mentioned the need to popularise the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, focusing on how small countries will benefit.

Zachy joined in with his statement of how pandemics don’t recognise boundaries, borders and rules, and how we have learnt a valuable lesson about the importance of not looking inward, not reducing efforts to national borders or member states, but to have a bigger picture of regions in mind. He spoke about the potential for growth, if member states use competitive advantage – focusing on the abilities and resources available to grow as a region, rather than as individual countries.

He gave an example of how linking sectors can be advantageous: agri-business, when linked to industrialisation, to manufacturing, to food processing and trade, can more easily achieve its goals. He also spoke of the regional policies and protocols, and the need for continuous support of these, as well as their alignment with the greater goals. Looking at an example of inter connectivity, Zachy spoke of the Southern Agricultural Highland Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), and its exceptional commercial success.

In response to a question of how the private sector is using digital transformation to develop the region, Lusanda said the COVID-19 pandemic has actually accelerated the use of technology. She said that while these can be used in all areas, it forced the private sector to find new ways of doing business – giving an example of a project she completed using technology, where before they would have physically visited 4 or 5 countries in the duration of the project. Finding new ways to collaborate and blend skills has been one of the silver linings of the pandemic.

Speaking on how the private sector has supported the smallholder farmers during the pandemic, Zachy mentioned how the policy regarding small and medium enterprises in Tanzania has been reviewed, to include them in the economy, through linkages. Also, financing has been discussed, as well as training in agriculture.

Tulo added to this with his comments on the SADC Pharmaceuticals Working Group, and how they want to promote and harmonise the registration policy in the region, as well as conduct research and development, which is currently very low. He also spoke of the working group they have established for the cross-border trade – a regional initiative to determine the needs and issues of this group, to increase accessibility of trade.

Lusanda, in response to a question about more access to technology, she said mobile phones must be used as the starting point for communications with the people on the ground. She also spoke of the technological advances in farming, and how government needs to implement use of drones.

‍In conclusion, the panellists summed up their key points:

Lusanda: the interconnectedness of the value chain, from source to consumer; co-operation between African countries to ensure food security; the importance of the FTA.

Zachy: private sector should make purposeful efforts to invest in people, to take advantage of resources; make the strategies and policies of SADC more relevant to the people at grassroots levels; willingness to make trade and economic activities possible within the region.

Tulo: the need to identify the most pressing trade barriers; domesticate regional policies.

Click there to watch the full airing.

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By info@southernafricatrust.org
Unclaimed Social Security Benefits and Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant Mine Workers
Society Talks
12 August 2020

Unclaimed Social Security Benefits and Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant Mine Workers

In the 16th installment, the conversation focused on the challenges of migrant mine workers during the pandemic, specifically their inability to claim owed social security benefits, and their existing comorbidities that expose them to higher risk of contracting COVID-19. The panelists included Naledi Monnakgosi, board secretary of the Botswana Labour Migrants Association, Vama Jele, co-ordinator of Southern Africa Mineworkers Association (SAMA), Kerrin Odendaal, Health Focus SA, Kitso Phiri, Independent Consultant in the field of Human Rights in the mining sector, facilitated by Christabel Phiri, of Southern Africa Trust.

Christabel gave a brief background of the various compensation and relief funds in South Africa, available to migrant mine workers who have contracted diseases or occupational injuries. Unclaimed benefits amount to approximately ZAR ten billion.

Kitso outlined the challenges posed to ex-miners, one of the major ones being the advent of technology, and the new processes required to access claims electronically. Government has not facilitated the process, in terms of support and infrastructure, thwarting the process.

From the fund side, Kerrin spoke of a project she has been involved in, creating a database of the miners, to facilitate payments from the various funds. Problems arise with missing or incomplete documentation, contact details that are not updated, and tracking and tracing the migrant workers.  

From the miner’s perspective, Naledi shared their challenges: lack of money for food, homes, livestock, inability to work further due to age, illness, or injury. This also trickles down to the surviving family members of miners who have passed: children have not received adequate education, mothers cannot find work that supports their needs, widows struggle with grief and inability to earn, as well as receiving no support from their late husband’s families.

Vama explained the process that is in place to assist these stricken groups, from the eight member countries: South Africa, eSwatini, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Namibia. Associations exist in each of these countries to assist in claims, as well as advocating for rights. They also supply medical assistance to those suffering from occupational illnesses, like lung disease. Vama brought in COVID-19 and how the lockdown restrictions have prevented much of the face-to-face work they do. Using technology has been difficult, as it had not been implemented prior to the pandemic. A major stumbling block is that SAMA is not part of the decision-making process, when it comes to the claim and payment process, they can only implement according to the protocols.

Christabel spoke of an urgent need to review the current legislation around compensation and payments, discussing with the funds about what can be done with the unpaid monies. Issues around information and dissemination, a co-ordinated database that can be accessed by multiple funds, tax exemptions and cross-country money transfers are vital to facilitating the processes.

Discussing the landmark Silicosis settlement, Kitso mentioned the establishment of the Trust intended to organize payments, to gold miners employed by one of the six mining companies in the law suit, those exposed to risk work, within the periods of 1965-2019. This too, applies to dependents of late mine workers. Running for 12 years, the Trust hopes to distribute the funds fairly to those who qualify.

Closing thoughts on what is needed now:

  • ‍Naledi: income generating projects for widows and children.‍
  • Kerrin: streamline the processes; reduce duplication of documents; use technology to track and trace.‍
  • Kitso: a single legal/regulatory framework is needed that can be used by all the funds, regardless of which country the mine workers are from or have returned to – this will reduce the massive administration associated with claims.
  • ‍Vama: strengthen the partnerships between the various funds; build capacity within the mine associations using online solutions; advocate for and mobilize miners and their families; food security for suffering families who have been unable to claim, due to the pandemic.

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By info@southernafricatrust.org
Addressing the risk on Food Security in Southern Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic
News
30 July 2020

Addressing the risk on Food Security in Southern Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the lockdown period of the pandemic, many communities were placed at risk of greater exclusion as a result of the restrictions on movement and limited access to communications platforms due to data requirements and costs. Civil Society Organizations across the regions rose to the increased demand for their support in spite of their own experienced challenges. In a response to the urgent need to connect communities with an aim of informing, engaging, and sharing experiences with the broader society, the Southern Africa Trust launched a series of webinars titled Society Talks which has succeeded in bringing the plight of poor communities within the Southern Africa Development Communities (SADC) region during the pandemic, to light.

One pertinent area of discussion has been on food security and how the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 outbreak have negatively affected particularly women and youth engaged in agriculture and informal trade. While food security was a problem prior to the pandemic, the situation has thrown a spotlight on how the discourse around the sector has been managed by the various governments across Africa, underscoring a need for urgent improvement.

While smallholder farmers add significant value to food security, operating as informal traders at a micro-level means they are often excluded from the value chain. More emphasis needs to be placed around creating inclusive spaces within these value chains to acknowledge and encourage the smallholder farmer contributions, supporting local economies. Numerous participants agreed that Africa has the capacity to produce healthy food for its people, even in times of a pandemic or natural disaster. The need for food sovereignty is obvious, along with a focus on reducing imports like rice, oil, and wheat. To solve hunger problems, there needs to be a move away from global commodity chains and re-localize food systems.

The direct impact that the pandemic has had on informal traders, mostly women, has been dire. With no market access and no cross-border trade permitted, farmers were unable to sell their product, and traders unable to get food staples in exchange for fresh produce. The knock-on effect also is the possibility of wasted growing seasons due to the lack of access to seed.

A recurring theme in the webinars is the need for sharing of knowledge and collaboration on response strategies.  As a direct result of the Society Talks, 12organisations, initiated by the Southern Africa Trust, Graça Machel Trust, Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) and the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment(CAPSI), have formed a call to action, directed to SADC Secretariat, that outlines the belief that regional intergovernmental coordination and democratized engagement with community and social actors in neglected sectors is a priority. By focusing on the goal of food security in the region, equality and human rights will be strengthened, while opportunities across the food chain for rural and urban youth will be created.

To respond to the immediate socio-economic hardships caused by the pandemic, as well as building a new foundation for a sustainable and resilient recovery, the document presented to SADC has the following policy recommendations (in summary):

Strengthen the ecosystem of support for smallholder, family, and subsistence farmers

To do this, agricultural policies must support the smallholder, family and subsistence farming sector, with particular emphasis on climate resilient agro-ecology methods, while strengthening indigenous farming knowledge; expand access to land and support land redistribution programmes; offer public financial support programmes; strengthen local value chains; promote and protect the rights of rural women food producers; and crack down on exploitative and anti-competitive business practices.

Invest in the role of women in food security

Women and children must be put in the center of recovery efforts in the agricultural sector, involving them in policy dialogue and decision-making; adopt a gender-based right to food and nutrition frameworks; involve rural women in the mitigation and adaptation development strategies in relation to climate change; eliminate gender, racial and ethnicity, and class discrimination in the allocation of agricultural resources; and eliminate the discrimination, violence and harassment of women cross-border informal traders.

Involve youth in agriculture

Establish support programmes for rural youth that provide access, such as land loans, quality seeds and technical support; expand free vocational training and education in agriculture, targeting the large proportion of unemployed young people; support the development of youth farming organizations and co-operations; expand and improve internet connectivity services to rural areas to enable access to information and markets; create job funds at national levels to encourage local businesses and farming enterprises to hire and upskill young people.

Rebuild sustainable indigenous food systems

Defend seed sovereignty and rebuild sustainable indigenous food systems that eliminate the waste of natural resources; priorities the use of agro-ecology approaches; value and expand on the indigenous knowledge systems, including the teaching of this at schools; and reallocate land to sustainable farming to transition out of intensive monocropping industrial agriculture, in favor of models that are climate resilient, support biodiversity, reduce scarce water consumption and priorities local food needs.

Public financing for food security

SADC should halt the net capital outflows of gains from natural resources and urgently operationalize the Agricultural Development Fund; this fund should support smallholder, family and subsistence farmers, by establishing a dedicated food sovereignty and nutrition fund that supports the sustainable production of diverse foods; the fund should be open and accessible, with transparent monitoring and reporting frameworks; increase the overall national budget allocations to meet existing Malabo Declaration commitments.

Institutional frameworks and regional cooperation

The right to food, food security and nutrition should be recognized by SADC Member States in all national legislative frameworks, strengthening the emergency and long-term policy and programme co-ordination; a centralized multi-stakeholder food security and nutrition information system should be established; fast track the implementation of the SADC-wide universal protection floor, that guarantees access to essential healthcare and basic income security.

The time is ripe for change – a new regional strategic development plan by SADC could be the instrument to transform food systems towards models of food security that end hunger and secure citizen’s rights to development and self-determination.

“We always knew there were very vulnerable families and communities in our nations, but only with lockdowns we woke up to the need to provide for them, including distributing food, for them to survive. Without lockdowns, I don’t know whether we would have had the movement, which governments have taken to organize themselves, to dig deep and find their sources to provide for those vulnerable families, the unemployed and people living with disabilities.”

Mrs. Graça Machel – Society Talks airing 13

By info@southernafricatrust.org
COVID-19 Impact on SADC Food Systems, Smallholder Agriculture and Policy Options
Society Talks
29 July 2020

COVID-19 Impact on SADC Food Systems, Smallholder Agriculture and Policy Options

Society Talks is a public dialogue hosted by the Southern Africa Trust through a live stream on YouTube. The dialogue brings together stakeholders within the development community, business and the general public to inform, engage and share experiences with the broader society.

In its thirteenth instalment, the conversation focused on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on women farmers in Africa, as well as looking at the challenges faced by smallholder farmers. The panellists included Graça Machel, Founder of the Graça Machel Trust and Chair of the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS); Domingos Gove, Director of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, SADC Secretariat; Ruth Hall, Chair and Professor at the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS); Elizabeth Swai, Founder member of African Agribusiness Academy, and Head of Africa Women in Agribusiness; Beatrice Makwenda, Head of Policy and Communication of the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi, and Coordinator of the Rural Women’s Assembly(Malawi); moderated by Bronwyn Nielsen, Founder and CEO of Nielsen Network.

Mama Machel opened the dialogue with a statement of how the pandemic has exacerbated all the existing issues of social and economic inequality and injustices. She said that COVID-19 has brought these issues to the forefront, where they could no longer be ignored. While none of these issues are new, the lockdown restrictions implemented by various countries spurred action in feeding the impoverished and marginalized communities. The inadequacy of the policies and the lack of investment are well known, but it has taken the COVID-19 pandemic to shake us into action.

She also emphasized that the hunger of people in SADC should not be tolerated any more. By sharing knowledge and technology, she said Africa has the resources to do this, but needs to be mobilized to invest in smallholder farmers. Women in farming must be represented, and empowered to harness digitization, placed at the centre stage of agriculture, health, and education.

Ruth opened with her statement of how the crisis in the food system is not going to be resolved by focusing only on increased food production. She said the pandemic has brought the issues into focus, but that the way we have been addressing them has possibly only aggravated them. Mentioning how half of all the households in South Africa ran out of money to feed themselves by mid-April during the lockdown, shows that the legitimacy of our national government is in question. Ruth called the problem of food shortages colonial, where many of the rural and indigenous people do not have access to land, despite over three decades of (failed) land redistribution programmes. The unsolved problems of a colonial legacy are happening alongside the current issues.

She pointed out how the smaller scale producers and informal value chains have been disrupted during lockdown, while large corporate value chains have been protected and continue to operate. To solve hunger problems, we need to move away from global commodity chains, stop relying on imports and re-localize food systems.    

Moving forward, the two main issues for change are:

  • A need for income support
  • The structural changes in our food system, specifically seed policy, access to common resources of water and land, regulating the private sector so smallholder farmers can sell their products in the big supermarkets.

Elizabeth spoke of the lockdown in Tanzania, and of policies of trade restrictions. The trade barriers are hindering the ability to solve hunger in the area, into other countries, but this is a problem that existed before COVID-19.

Beatrice explained the anxiety of the disruption that the pandemic bought to small scale women farmers, who in March, were gearing up for the harvesting season. Market access, including cross-border, shut down, causing massive waste as farmers were unable to sell their produce. The ensuing discussions were thwarted by the inability to interact, due to lockdown restrictions, excluding the very farmers who needed to be heard.  So, communication virtually broke down between the organisations and the smallholder farmers. She spoke of the need for investment in emergency policies in regional and national levels, as well as the need for access to inputs, like finance. Digitalizing needs to be broader and cheaper to increase access.

Domingos reflected on SADC’s response to the impact of the pandemic– noting how there are currently 45 million food insecure southern Africans,10% up on last year’s figures. He also touched on the malnutrition and stunted growth of children. In response to the question of how SADC can fast track the response for smallholder farmers, Domingos explained how they are looking for ways to increase the voice of society, as well as looking to the existing policies and structures and how these can be fast tracked so the benefit can trickle down to women and children.

In response to a question about land reform policy in Mozambique, Mama Machel explained how the process is involving all the individuals and CSOs from different regions, which brings sharing and knowledge. But, they are wary that changing the land policy may open a gap for big corporates.

Domingos reflected that a committee of stakeholders, CSOs and smallholder farmers to address SADC’s response to COVID-19 would be a good idea, but that they are obligated to use existing channels of communication.

Ruth brought up the global financial crisis of 2008, and how it brought massive foreign investor interest in African land and water, essentially a land grab much like in colonial times. She foresees this happening again, with climate change and growing global populations, pressure on Africa’s natural resources will mount.

Elizabeth reiterated that existing strategies don’t work, that technology and crowd funding should be encouraged, as well as a database where statistics of farmers can be managed internally. She also said it is high time that policies were reviewed to change them to actual plans and results.

Beatrice spoke of a need to look at investments and see where they are going, to get the economies working again for the farmers, ensuring access to production inputs, and building resilience against climate change.

Masego closed with her summing up of the lack of solidarity at the role women play in the smallholder farming sector, and the need to rethink the policies and the agricultural food system and examine what is required at a practical level.

Click here to watch the full webinar

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Society Talks is a weekly public dialogue hosted by the Southern Africa Trust through a live stream on YouTube. The dialogue brings together stakeholders within the development and business community, civil society and the public to inform, engage and share experiences with the broader society.

Connect and participate every Wednesday at 16h00 Central Africa time (GMT +2).

‍

By info@southernafricatrust.org
pexels-jopwell-2422287
Society Talks
1 July 2020

Rethinking the Social and Economic Order for the Future – A Feminist Perspective

Society Talks is a public dialogue hosted by the Southern Africa Trust through a live stream on YouTube. The dialogue brings together stakeholders within the development community, business and the general public to inform, engage and share experiences with the broader society.

In the twelfth instalment, the conversation centred on a feminist view of social inclusion, post pandemic – a time for inspirational leadership that sustains the energy gained during the pandemic. The panel included Âurea Mouzinho, a Political Economist and Feminist Activist (Angola), Hesphina Rukato, Author, Development Consultant and Feminist Activist (Zimbabwe), Memory Kachambwa, the Executive Director of FEMNET (Kenya), hosted by Masego Madzwamuse,CEO of the Southern Africa Trust.

Opening the conversation, Âurea shared her view of how although the COVID-19 pandemic started as a health crisis, it very quickly evolved into a crisis of injustice, inequality and care, both on a social and economic level. She and Hesphina felt that the feminist viewpoint is vital in future planning, with Hesphina bringing the example of women-led countries having a better response to the pandemic, than others. She also mentioned the need to address the emotional, psychological, and spiritual support across the continent that has been lacking during the pandemic.

Memory supported the statement of the lack of female leadership in Africa and the world, and how the pandemic could have been handled differently. She said that Africa has resilience in coping with crises, citing HIV and Ebola as examples, and should build on this, creating home grown resources and solutions, and not relying so much on help from the West. Acare-centred economy is needed, as seen during COVID-19, where the burden on women has been so great.

Commenting on the pandemic response from Angola, Âurea spoke of the large portion of female population in the informal economy that were not assisted. She also mentioned her disappointment in the lack of support for women and girls affected by gender-based violence, as well as the inability of women to work during the lockdown, because of school closures and the need to look after their children. She touched on the response (or lack thereof)from SADC with regards to debt repayment or cancellation.

Hesphina touched on the lack of trust between governments and its citizens, saying this is what must change. She said we should use the plans for an improved social, political, and economic future as developed by women leaders, as the voice to government, moving forward – a clear plan of action.

“Moving from celebrating aid that enables us to breathe, to a space where we are clear about what our vision is.”

Memory looked at the humanitarian response to COVID-19, and how feminist rights are lacking. She said that post-pandemic is a good time to reorganise the way economies are structured, to challenge global economic powers, shaping a vision that is not centred on COVID as a humanitarian crisis, but using COVID as the benchmark.

Hesphina and Âurea spoke about civic engagement and the need to stop looking at governments for solutions, but rather focus on their accountability.

“COVID brings a fundamental lesson, that we are as weak as the weakest.”

Memory spoke of the development of female economic empowerment, how they are building a movement of African Macro Economics. She also spoke of how they are targeting teens and young adolescents to encourage more investment in female support. Collective action is needed for women to achieve together.

In response to the question of whether or not Africa has the kind of leadership that can challenge the world order, Hesphina said there is a need to look at the leadership in a collective way: political, economic and social, women, me n civil society – all stakeholders together can face the challenge. Memory added to this, saying that most of the leadership in Africa was not democratically elected, which makes it difficult to embrace the agenda. She said it is up to civil society to challenge the leadership to ensure it puts the wellbeing of its people at the centre. Âurea added the need to engage with indigenous groups and feminist movements in other countries, to strengthen collective power that can challenge the anti-democratic authoritarian surge.

‍Click here to watch the full webinar

=========================

Society Talks is a weekly public dialogue hosted by the Southern Africa Trust through a live stream on YouTube. The dialogue brings together stakeholders within the development and business community, civil society and the public to inform, engage and share experiences with the broader society.

Connect and participate every Wednesday at 16h00 Central Africa time (GMT +2).

‍

By info@southernafricatrust.org