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Food Security and how Smallholder Farmers are Critical to Community Survival
Society Talks
27 May 2020

Food Security and how Smallholder Farmers are Critical to Community Survival

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 sixth instalment, the conversation centered on smallholder farmers and their role in community survival. The panelists for the session included Mercia Andrews of the South African Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA), Flaida Macheze from the Mozambique National Small-Scale Farmers Forum (UNAC), and Joe Mzinga of the Eastern & Southern African Small-Scale Farmers Forum.

The conversation focused on the availability and accessibility of food during the pandemic and closed borders. We looked at the challenges that smallholder farmers face and discussed the measures that need to be put in place to address these challenges. The panelists agreed that development measures that are not crisis-driven are needed in Africa.

Mercia Andrews opened with a statement about smallholder farmers not being recognized for their valuable contributions – 85% of these farmers provide most of the food for the country. She said the lockdown had disrupted the value chain, showing the government’s limited understanding of the impact that smallholder farmers have. She emphasized the gap between large-scale retailers and small-scale farming and the injustice that only large retailers could continue providing food during the Lockdown. 

She also mentioned the Agriculture Relief Fund – and how its stringent requirements on proving annual turnover excluded many women farmers who could not prove their income. The fact that the food parcels put together and distributed during the lockdown were not sourced from smallholder farmers, shows that there is insufficient knowledge by the South African government of how local economies operate, and the role of small-scale producers. By not seeing the value and contribution of this sector to society and the economy, the government has not established sufficient support programmes. 

Flaida Macheze highlighted the lack of government support for small-scale farming in Mozambique, as well as the 20% increase in the cost of food imports and decrease in volume. Since the staples of maize and sugar have run out, it would be a great opportunity for small-scale farmers to sell their produce. She said there were seed shortages due to border closures, and that while UNAC is introducing indigenous seed, it is not on a scale that could feed the country. She spoke of the need for food sovereignty – producing healthy food for the nation in times of a pandemic or natural disaster. 

Flaida expressed her belief that it is a good time to boost peasant agriculture, focusing on variety and not the large-scale production of single foods, like maize. The government must increase access to rural markets over supermarkets, especially in these times. 

Joe Mzinga opened with a statement that no country in SADC is succeeding in the agricultural sector. Supporting Mercia’s sentiment that the input of small-scale farming to trade and economy is not recognized. He said regardless of the lockdown, food movement between countries is restricted and there is a massive disruption. What is to be learned from this, is that countries need to focus on sustainable intracontinental production of food to reduce the need for imports of rice, oil and wheat. There is a need for financial inclusion and more funding.

The panelists were united in their views of the measures that need to be taken:

  • Rebuild the seed banks, with a focus on indigenous seed as they offer better yield, as well as diversifying food types
  • Investment is needed to build capacity at a local level 
  • Allow women access to land, in their own right
  • Offer subsidies to smallholder farmers and access to agricultural inputs
  • Provide more support in the form of farmer input programmes
  • Encourage the government to put a ceiling on food imports: SADC has the natural resources to support local food production
  • More investment is needed in the value chain to create more jobs
  • Priority must be placed on smallholder farmers – consultation is vital between farmers and policymakers to determine the type of support needed
  • SADC should provide extension services to smallholder farmers.

Start with agriculture and empower people to contribute to the economy. Grow food that is appropriate to the region – smallholder farmers can feed the nation if they get support.

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
The voices of Southern Africa’s youth in the era of COVID-19
Society Talks
13 May 2020

The voices of Southern Africa’s youth in the era of COVID-19

Society Talks 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. On its fourth instalment, the conversation centered on the youth. The panelists for the session were young people, namely Thokoza Mjo, the Programme Lead for the Anzisha Prize – a Young Entrepreneur Acceleration programme for 15 – 22 year-olds at the African Leadership Academy; Ronald Magomo, the Regional Advocacy and Communications Manager at Southern African Youth Forum, and Rukudzo Nyoka – a student at African Leadership University and co-founder of an edu-techstart-up, Mtabe.

The conversation centered on the youth and their response to COVID-19. Amplifying the voice of young people during this pandemic is important as they represent close to 40% of the population in Southern Africa. While one in two young people is likely to be unemployed in the region, it is recorded by SADC and COMESA that over 70% of the labor force participates in the informal economy, of which young people, especially women make up the majority. Also, the Goalkeepers Report (2018), published by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation forecasts that by 2050 the largest number of young people, globally, will live in Africa, surpassing youth populations of South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania.

Young people are no less if not more vulnerable to the depravity caused by the pandemic. As the world contemplates a post COVID-19 reality, Mariama Sow of the Brookings Institute reports, “investing inhuman capital has been pivotal in the prosperity of emerging economies…specifically those in health and education can trigger an 88% increase in GDP per capita by 2050”. Young people make up a significant proportion of those whose work will be needed to realize this growth potential, to invest in them is to invest in the region’s development.

Panelist Rukudzo Nyoka, founder of an edu-tech start-up, Mtabe agrees. She highlights how the education sector has experienced a huge setback during this pandemic wherein the resort to online learning has been largely impractical. Internet penetration in Southern Africa is around 40%; the region’s Internet infrastructure caters mostly for middle to upper-income customers, while the majority of region’s youth come from low-income or even child-headed households. Her call to action is for business to do things differently by leveraging existing solutions and customizing them to the region’s context and ensuring the solutions are affordable to the poorest.

Fellow panelist Ronald Magomo emphasized the different ways young people have been proactive in responding to this pandemic by producing PPEs and developing technology to protect households from unsafe water. As a representative of the regional body for youth, he highlighted the importance of young people participating in the decision-making and policy development structures. The creativity and innovation needed to #BuildBackBetter is abundant among young people, yet they are often excluded, despite the fact that they represent an important share of the continent’s population. Thokoza Mjo further shared how funders and financiers can do things differently to support young micro-entrepreneurs, including those in the informal sector. Through the Anzisha Prize, for instance, the applicant’s bank statement is not the only way they can prove credibility and legitimacy. The programme allows applicants to provide alternate supporting documents, such as copies of the applicant’s accounting records, reported simply in an exercise book. She brings home the idea that in order for the human capital investment required to drive future growth to happen, the trust factor towards young people must increase. It is only then that they will be included in the decision-making structures and given capital to grow as entrepreneurs and to grow out of being a frontier market.

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
Informal Cross Border Trade in Southern Africa and how the Sector will Recover
Society Talks
6 May 2020

Informal Cross Border Trade in Southern Africa and how the Sector will Recover

In the third instalment of Society Talks, the conversation centered on the impact that COVID-19 has had on the small-scale cross border trade. Panelists included Regina Kanyimbiri of the Malawi Cross Border Traders Association, Jacob Makambwe of the Southern Africa Cross Border Traders Association (Zambia), Dr Talkmore Chidede of the Trade Law Centre, and Augustine Tawanda of the Zimbabwe Cross Border Traders Association; hosted by Christabel Phiri, Programme Manager at Southern Africa Trust. 

With the closing of borders, citizens from neighboring countries who engage in small-scale cross border trade have been negatively affected, both in terms of the economy and employment, poverty alleviation, food security and the support of vulnerable people. 

Talkmore opened the discussion saying that while he recognizes the necessary and valid measures that governments have put in place to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, they have had a negative effect on the export and import of goods and services across borders, specifically the informal cross border traders. This includes a massive loss of employment and increased poverty across the continent, due to the restrictions of movement of anything other than essential items. 

Jacob spoke of the impact on Zambian women who cannot cross into bordering countries: Malawi, Zimbabwe, DRC. He also mentioned that the access to personal protective equipment, like masks and hand sanitizer, has been difficult due to limited capital of traders and their remoteness. He spoke on a recent instance of DRC traders overcoming the border security to enter Zambia, out of desperation to access the commodities they cannot get in DRC. Jacob also spoke on the Zambian relief fund established to support SMEs and how their Cross-Border Trade Association was advocating for small-scale traders to receive some of this bale out money. 

Looking at interventions that are needed, Talkmore spoke of the need for governments not to restrict trade of cross border traders during the pandemic. He also mentioned the need of access to financial support and non-financial support to be provided by the government, like simplified trade regimes, that are entrenched in legal binding instruments (to make it easier for other regions to adopt and enforce). Talkmore spoke of a need to digitize many of the border processes, to speed up the process of distributing essential food across borders. 

Augustine spoke of how the Association in Zimbabwe has split their issues into social and enterprise-related efforts, engaging with the government on the post-COVID recovery. Focusing more on the enterprise side, they have advocated on how they can resuscitate the livelihood of CBTs with various interventions:  1 – a review of the restriction of movement; 2 – there needs to be a strong database; 3 – the capital base of traders has been decimated, so they need a strategy that can provide capital to them (revolving funds).

Regina shared Malawi’s issues, starting with the travel restrictions and the fact that so many of the suppliers have had to shut their doors. As with the other regions, small scale trade has been dramatically impacted, with many traders using their minimal capital for survival, rather than trade. Measures to be taken include funding allocated to small traders, to allow women to look at other trade opportunities during the pandemic. 

Jacob spoke on Zambian’s responses for SMEs, and their coalition with other industries to approach the government with solutions. With no near end to the border closures, Jacob spoke of looking at solutions to cross border trade, one being the use of technology. He suggested bulk consignments and more communication between women traders, and the need for more formality, certainly in the processes. Also, of an appeal to government for countries to produce more of the traded items within their borders. 

Talkmore reiterated on the need for government to re-evaluate their industrial policies to ensure they are producing enough to feed the country and possibly export, rather than relying on imports. Augustine supported the view on diversification for traders, as well as connectivity between traders. He also said that government is limited in their ability to help, because of the informality and lack of data around informal cross border trade. 

A joint response is needed to support the informal cross border traders across the region, both in terms of cash transfers or bail outs, and the improving of systems and tracking, to provide the necessary information to build tangible solutions.

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Click here to watch the full webinar **Please pardon the moments of bad connectivity in this 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
COVID-19 Economic Relief Packages and the Future of Social Protection
Society Talks
29 April 2020

COVID-19 Economic Relief Packages and the Future of Social Protection

In the second instalment of Society Talks, the conversation centered on the economic relief responses from government that have been made available to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, while also looking at the gaps in policy and what needs to change in future. Panelists included Isobel Frye, Director of Studies at the Inequality and Poverty Institute, Herbert Jauch, Chairperson of the Economic and Social Justice Trust (Namibia) and Deprose Muchena, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Amnesty International; hosted by Masego Madzwamuse, CEO of Southern Africa Trust. 

Isobel opened the discussion with a summary of the social security structure in South Africa, particularly aimed at children, pensioners, the disabled and a few other small groups, but with a massive gap for the working population. The advent of COVID-19 showed the faults in the system, starting with the numbers of people living below the food poverty line, the informal traders and piece workers who saw a complete severance of income, as well as delays in unemployment benefit payments. Outcomes saw protests and riots, mainly over food. Isobel and her peers expressed more concern at the lack of subsidies for informal workers – the existing emergency relief fund was mostly going out as food parcels rather than income. She said that money in the hands of the informal workers stimulates the local economic development, whereas food parcels undermine the local food production chains.

Herbert added to the conversation, with a reference to a basic income grant in Namibia, pre-COVID, that was based on the structure of the local employment structure. Mentioning the huge gaps in the distribution of wealth in Namibia, much like in South Africa, Herbert agreed with Isobel’s point on how money, rather than food, encourages economic activity. In a pilot project in an eastern region, the basic income grant in Namibia showed an improvement in education outcomes (less children leaving school early) and increased use of the local clinic, which increased levels of health awareness. Unfortunately, the grant has still not been implemented in government. In response to the pandemic, with the collapse of certain industries, like tourism, the government introduced the emergency income grant, which was paid out to people who could prove their loss of income, and who were not receiving any other grants. The outcome of giving people cash rather than food, empowers them to decide what they need to spend the money on.

In response to a question on care work, Isobel touched on the necessity of grants for caregivers, as well as for community health workers. In relation to the rights of migrant workers, particularly the informal cross border traders who have been seriously impacted by the pandemic, Isobel mentioned that this sector is not included in grant allocation, unlike refugees and asylum seekers. 

Discussing how the most vulnerable groups are reached, Herbert explained how a basic income grant available to all, would be better and more affordable than trying to determine who is eligible. 

Deprose weighed in on the trends in the region, outlining three main issues that have emerged:

  • The pandemic arrived at a time when there were pre-existing political economic conditions, that have hindered a region’s ability to respond effectively (mass unemployment, mass poverty and inequality).
  • The inequalities are not just in income – gender, generational, able-bodied vs disabled – the response has been largely economic. Aggressive social policies are required to address the needs of the people. 
  • There is a need to free the states from capture and show them that it is their responsibility to meet the needs of poor people, not just in times of COVID-19. Creating the means for local economy and job development, a right respecting economy.

To realize the dream of social inclusion, the post-pandemic economy and social order cannot be built on what we had before. It is a time for inspirational leadership, to sustain energy on the gains we have seen during the pandemic – the rethinking of the social and economic order for the future.

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
Reflecting on the Southern Africa Region’s Different Responses to COVID-19
Society Talks
24 April 2020

Reflecting on the Southern Africa Region’s Different Responses to COVID-19

In the first instalment of Society Talks, the conversation centered on the responses of various governments in the SADC region, just after the announcement of projected COVID-19 numbers in Africa: a million infections, with 300 000 expected fatalities. Panelists included Nnimmo Bassey, Environmental Justice Advocate and Director at Health of Mother Earth Foundation (Nigeria), Liepollo Lebohang Pheko, Political and Feminist Economist, Public Intellectual and Senior Research Fellow at Trade Collective, and Nancy Kachingwe, Consultant specializing in women’s rights, public policy and advocacy strategy; hosted by Masego Madzwamuse, CEO of Southern Africa Trust.

Nnimmo Bassey opened the discussion, with his views on their ported COVID-19 numbers in Africa, and his concerns on the showmanship that is emerging. He expressed his opinion that many are treating the pandemic as a marketing opportunity, citing Bill Gates for investing in a number of factories who seek to manufacture a vaccine.

Liepollo Lebohang Pheko spoke on the language of lockdown and how she found it very disturbing. Likening the lockdown to a form of incarceration, she touched on the restriction of movement through border closure and then went on to talk about the economics, and the approaches taken by different governments to address it. Looking at South Africa’s relief fund to augment social welfare grants, child support grants, to assist people not on any form of grant or eligible for UIF, and help businesses to keep going – a sharp contrast to the 2008 relief model, which was entirely corporate. The marked difference in the focus towards humanity and welfare across the continent, as well as the view to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, possibly unregistered, has been very welcome. She mentioned that the terms that different states are using (State of National Emergency, National Health Emergency, National Disaster) has given the executives, the army, the police, and the criminal justice machinery the opportunity to intervene as they see fit.

Nancy Kachingwe looked at the gaps that exist for emergency health care responses in different countries. Examining the various types of political economies that exist: patriarchal, top down, conservative, secretive and non-transparent, hesitant to open up to real dialogue and to be responsive, often focused on outsourcing contracts rather than real service delivery, was something she thought should be talked about. Looking at health and medical responses, Nancy termed the current state as ‘threadbare’, emphasizing how the pandemic has brought its inadequacies sharply into focus. In terms of demographics and socio-economic realities, she said it is very clear that our states don’t have the data or a grip on the day-to-day realities, and that their pandemic response plan has not been broad enough to cater for all these varying groups.

In response to a question of what strategies are needed to move forward, Nnimmo started by stating that no country in the world was ready with their health response to this pandemic. He said that it is time for Africa to look at the health of the environment. He also mentioned that the global ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach of social distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19 cannot work in Africa, because of the social fabric of community and family living.

Lebohang theorized the need for a common fund, trust or forum for modelling alternative ideas. She also spoke about mainstreaming the alternative ideas, bringing a voice to student and feminist movements. Nancy spoke of the need for more accurate data to provide depth and understanding for better adapted policy responses.

It is a time to reframe and renegotiate toxic trade agreements, so that African countries can be more interdependent on one another. This [the pandemic] is a warning to change and prepare the economic directive to be more holistic, looking at the reproductive economy, the care economy, health and environment.        

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