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ISSUE 01. VOLUME 1 | JANUARY- MARCH 2018 A MAGAZINE OF THE UN IN SOUTH AFRICA
UN supports
tracking of
South Africa’s
SDGs Progress
UNHCR
thrust into
the “politics
of crumbs”
as efforts
to integrate
refugees
resisted
Deputy
Secretary-General’s
Nelson Mandela
Annual Lecture
CONTENTS
Refugee agency thrust
into the “politics of
crumbs” as efforts
to integrate refugees
resisted
Efforts to foster peaceful co-exis-
tence and local integration of re-
4 28
fugees in South Africa continue des-
pite challenges of recurring violence
and discrimination
Deputy Secretary- South Africa Model UN
General’s Mandela debates finals held in
Annual Lecture Johannesburg
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Debates kick-off amidst excitement
Mohammed visited South Africa to and funfare.
deliver the 15th Nelson Mandela An-
nual Lecture 2017 at the invitation of
8 InFocus
the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
A magazine of the UN in South Africa
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Vol.1 Issue 1. January - March 2018
10 Young Swazis get some Publisher
neighbourhood care from South Dr. Rufaro Chatora,
Africa UN Resident Coordinator a.i.
11 Global action in the fight Editorial Advisory Board
against human trafficking and Zeenat Abdool (UNIC)
UN support towards
12 migrant smuggling in South Africa
15 Public Health Association of
South Africa urged to promote
Markku Akimos (UNHCR)
Ethel Maringa (RCO)
Ziyanda Ngoma (UNFPA)
Sudeshan Reddy (UNICEF)
South Africa’s SDGs National Health Insurance Masimba Tafirenyika (UNIC)
Baseline Report in 2017
Report will track progress in imple- 18 UN’s contribution to Editorial Team
menting SDGs. development in South Africa UNIC Pretoria
22 Investments in family planning Design
INTERVIEWS reinforces gender empowerment Paddy Ilos, II (Africa Renewal)
6 Lilly Meyer 23 Working towards attaining Acknowledgements
UNICEF’s own Florence Nightingale human rights The Editorial Advisory Board would like to
express it gratitude to the Africa Section of
the Department of Public Information for its
14 Yahya Amadou Ba 24 Sports trainers empowered to assistance in the design and layout of the
InFocus magazine.
Deputy Country Director for UNDP South build risk resilience youth in South
Africa Africa
Front cover photo: UN Deputy Secretary-
20 Kazumi Ikeda-Larhed 26 South Africa marks 16 Days of General delivering the Nelson Mandela Annual
Deputy Director of Partnerships and Activism with focus on preventing Lecture in Cape Town. Back cover photo: UN
South-South Cooperation Division gender-based violence staff at a UN Day event.
2 INFOCUS
EDITORIAL NOTE
W
e are delighted to welcome you to the inaugural issue
of InFocus, a magazine of the United Nations system
in South Africa. Several UN agencies operating in
this country publish their own inhouse publications.
InFocus will highlight the work and operations of the
whole UN system in South Africa.
In this inaugural issue, we have attempted to give readers a mix of stories
covering a wide variety of some of the UN’s activities in this country, ranging
from stories with a human interest, to stories on projects and activities by
various agencies.
We have not stopped there, but gone further and included articles on tech-
nical issues such as the Strategic Cooperation Framework, formerly known as
the UN Development Framework or UNDAF, a document that delves deep into
the nitty-gritty of areas of cooperation between the UN and the Government
of South Africa; and a piece on how the UN is implementing the Sustainable
Development Goals.
We have also included a section profiling new staff who have joined the
organization.
Your feedback on this and future issues is crucial. It helps us to improve
our work. We hope you will find this publication informative on what the UN
is doing in South Africa and the priorities on which we channel our efforts.
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 3
Refugee agency thrust into the
“politics of crumbs” as efforts to
integrate refugees resisted
Efforts to foster peaceful co-existence and local integration of refugees in South
Africa continue despite challenges of recurring violence and discrimination
By Pumla Rulashe
Regugees returning to their communities in Inanda
Township in Durban
A
little over a month in Inanda and neighbouring locations police on the arrest of his brother’s killers
after the fatal shooting up in arms, demanding the arrest of the and UNHCR, Seifu buries his grief deep
of his young brother perpetrators. within and carries on with his life and his
in their small shop in As the South African Police Services business.
Durban’s Inanda town- (SAPS) acted quickly to stamp out the vio- The 37-year old, who was forced to flee
ship, Ethiopian refu- lence that ensued, Ethiopian refugee com- Ethiopia in 2009 following his vocal politi-
gee Melaku Seifu*continues running his munity leader, Tsegaye Negesse* claims, cal views, has reinforced the exterior of his
small township business, knowing that “this gave some of our local business shop—a shipping container—with mesh
he cannot go on for much longer. Accord- competitors the opportunity to once again, steel fencing and other security features
ing to his countrymen, he is a shell of his try and remove us from the townships.” as deterrents. He has also employed a
former self. The ploy has succeeded where Seifu local resident of the township to continue
Seifu’s brother Abraham fell victim is concerned. He is worn out and tired of running the shop.
to unknown assailants shortly after fake being a victim of repeated harassment The fortress that has now become
news circulated on social media in June and attack. Seifu’s shop and only source of income,
2017, alleging that foreign nationals were Seifu has approached UNHCR, the is symbolic of the love-hate relationship
behind the abduction and trafficking of UN Refugee agency for assistance with refugees have with the communities
children. The story had township youth resettlement. As he waits to hear from the they serve and the running battles they
4 INFOCUS
endure with their South African business fierce competition against each other, on Protection Working Group led to the arrest
counterparts. the periphery of the township economy. of some of the perpetrators.
Ahmed* is another refugee who is as With support from other agencies and
equally a victim of harassment as Seifu. A CULTURE OF DISCRIMINATION partners, the office conducted a compre-
The difference between them though is AND VIOLENCE hensive needs assessment and supported
that he has no intentions of leaving South “The unintended consequences of this close to 3 000 asylum-seekers and refu-
Africa. The Somali refugee businessman commercial exercise on small-scale gees through legal and human rights inter-
arrived in the country 16 years ago and family-run businesses has not only been ventions, counselling and social support.
started out as a hawker, selling domestic consistent loss of revenue but the per- “Today, UNHCR and its NGO part-
items door-to-door, seven days a week. petuation of the cycle of poverty in the ners monitor attacks against refugees by
“I started business from zero wearing townships.” assessing situations based on information
shoes worn down by walking the streets,” “On top of that,” he continues, “the received from our persons of concern. We
he recalls. “I endured insult, injury and all- influx of refugees and foreign nationals look into the factors leading to violence
weather conditions and today, I own a retail also competing for the crumbs from the and the challenges presenting problems
warehouse and employ 60 people, a large table of multi-million-dollar retail indus- to integration. We also undertake incident
number of them South African.” tries has created an environment where verification exercises to quantify and qual-
the locals who are in the majority attack ify the number of refugee businesses and
RISING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT the minority who they feel pose a threat persons targeted, damaged or destroyed.”
Before the violence that erupted in June, to their survival.”
Ahmed owned five small shops in Kwa- “Xenophobia and a culture of discrimi- BROKERING PEACE
Mashu, a township outside Durban and In the recent unrest in Durban, approxi-
next to Inanda. Unlike Seifu, who has mately 45 refugee-owned businesses
returned to rebuild his business, Ahmed in Inanda, KwaMashu and Chesterville
has been advised against this as the townships were looted and destroyed.
next time he comes under attack it could Through coordinated intervention
have deadly consequences. I started my business involving the SAPS, ward councilors from
The ominous warning has since kept
him out of KwaMashu and focused on his
from zero wearing affected sections within the townships,
respected community elders, UNHCR and
warehouse in Durban’s central business shoes worn down by its NGO partners, meet to broker peace
district. walking the streets. I and iron out differences to enable refu-
Accounts of refugee victimization and
harassment in the competition for the
endured insult, injury gees to return back to the communities
usually yields the desired results.
“crumbs of South Africa’s township econ- and all-weather The agency also encourages refugees
omy,” is, according to William Zenzele, conditions and to insure their goods and the tools of their
the President of the KwaZulu Natal Youth
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, “an
today, I own a retail trade such as electric clippers, combs,
razor blades and capes to enable them to
indication of the prolonged lack of eco- warehouse and re-stock small to get back on their feet.
nomic development in many areas of the employ 60 people, a “UNHCR, is also very mindful of the
country where crime is rife and unemploy- large number of them socio-economic challenges in these
deprived communities which we are
ment, particularly amongst the youth, is
high.” South Africans. unable to address,” says Cooper. “We
According to Trading Economics, are however heavily invested in including
South Africa’s youth unemployment rate small numbers of South Africans in liveli-
increased to almost 60% in the second nation and violence combined with the hood activities and life skills programmes
quarter of 2017 from 54.3% in the first competition for limited jobs and resources for refugees.”
quarter of the year. is a concern UNHCR addresses as practi- UNHCR prioritises and engages
“It is some of this youth that become cally and as multi-faceted as possible,” closely with South Africa’s youth, usually
the foot soldiers who do the bidding of says Sharon Cooper, UNHCR Regional at the forefront of xenophobia fueled loot-
disgruntled township business owners Representative for southern Africa. ing and violence, on the plight, rights and
bent on destabilizing refugee and for- To support the government’s efforts in obligations of refugees and other persons
eign owned shops in the locations,” says addressing xenophobia following violent of concern.
Negesse. attacks in 2015, UNHCR coordinated the UNHCR also supports public informa-
Zenzele states that the proliferation of UN emergency response plan to support tion and education campaigns on the
shopping malls in townships has, because the government’s early action to con- plight, rights and obligations of refugees
of its multi-billion rand muscle, sidelined tain the attacks. Early warning mecha- undertaken by the Department of Home
and pitched emerging entrepreneurs in nisms and advocacy by the UNHCR-led
continued on page 15
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 5
INTERVIEW
Easing the pain
UNICEF’s own Florence Nightingale
Few things in life are more stressful than being severely injured and then being flown
out of your country for medical assistance. Often, one is anxious, in pain—physical and
emotional—and without friends or family to accompany you on the journey.
It is in times like these that UNICEF lives up to the mantra of caring for its staff and their
families. With some of the best medical facilities in the world, South Africa is a logical
destination for patients from other African countries seeking medical assistance.
For more than a decade, Lilly Meyer, the soft-spoken UNICEF South Africa’s human
resources assistant and focal point on medical evacuation (medevac), is the “go-to
person” for her colleagues and their families whenever they are medically evacuated to
South Africa.
Our interview is interrupted by a call from a colleague based in West Africa who needed
Lilly’s advice on treatment in South Africa for a knee replacement surgery following a
work-related injury. Patiently and methodically, Lilly explained the process and assured
her she would be there to assist. As an acknowledgement of her compassion, UNICEF
Executive Director Anthony Lake awarded here a Certificate of Appreciation which is
mounted proudly in her office.
To find out more about what drives the dedication and care of this remarkable member
of the UNICEF family, we sat down with Lilly Meyer:
What does your role in supporting medivac needs of the accompanying person as well. The actual
patients entail? evacuation is usually undertaken by the company
SOS International and they usually take the patient
I am the liaison person for the medical evacuee, UN doctors, from, as we call it, “bed to bed”.
receiving doctors in hospitals around South Africa, the country
offices from which they reside from and their family members. I What type of support does the
also regularly visit them and follow up on their welfare as part of UNICEF South Africa Country Office
staff support and caring system while they are in South Africa provide?
and even after they have left to return to their countries.
Dealing with medivac cases can be complex and
Tell us how a medivac process occurs? requires flexibility, commitment, coordination
and communication at various levels. It cannot
Our office usually receives an email or phone call from the be done on its own and needs support from dif-
sending office informing us about the evacuee, which could ferent sections of the office, including human
be a staff member or the dependant of a staff member. Some- resources, finance, administrative protocol
times the patient travels on their own and sometimes they are and transport. In the very sad cases where the
accompanied. When it is the latter, then I have to attend to the battle is lost, we also arrange the repatriation
6 INFOCUS
of the deceased. In these cases, the rel- including translators. I then arrange
evant embassies help and we sometimes doctor-to-doctor discussions and updates
arrange a memorial service in South and arrange airport pickup and accommo-
Africa for colleagues and friends who are dation while ensuring that the doctor in
not able to travel to the country for the South Africa is kept informed throughout
funeral. Since I joined the South Africa the process. My role is also to be a liaison
Country Office, we have arranged 364 between the patient and their office when
medivacs from 36 African countries. The needed.
highest number was in 2011 when we
supported 46 colleagues in total, some How challenging has your
of whom had been injured in the Abuja experience been?
bomb blast at the UN House in Nigeria.
Psychologically, it is not an easy task to
What type of support do you be dealing with the pain and trauma of
as an individual provide? colleagues and their dependants and
there are times when I also need emo-
To ensure that all the paperwork is in tional support. I once had to accompany
order, I liaise with the department of home the repatriation of the remains of a staff
affairs and then inform the South African member to West Africa but during a stop-
consulate or embassy in the country of over in East Africa, the remains had not
origin to get them to expedite the visa. been transferred the connecting flight. I
We also inform the embassy of have learned that at times things can be
the sending country beyond my control but you just have to
so they can manage as best you can.
provide
support, What motivates you to keep
going?
The best reward is to see colleagues
recover and heal completely. I am moti-
vated by this as well as notes of appre-
ciation from those who are healing and
even from the offices, staff associa-
tions and representatives of the
sending country. This makes you
realize it is not only the patient
that is affected. It’s a humbling
experience. I remember a
staff member whom we had
evacuated following a shooting
incident saying to me, after his
recovery in Johannesburg, “If
I did not work for UNICEF I
would be dead”. Comments
like this help make my job
worthwhile. Also, my family
is very supportive, as when
there is an emergency over
the weekend and I need to
travel to either the hospital
or to where the medical
evacuee is staying to support
them. Of course, the support
of the South Africa Country
Office is invaluable and my
colleagues also keep me
going.
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 7
Nelson Mandela’s Annual Lecture 2017
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed visited South Africa to
deliver the 15th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at the invitation of the Nelson Mandela
Foundation. Here are some quotes from her lecture, Centering Gender: Reducing
Inequality Through Inclusion and Sustainability, in Cape Town on 25 November:
ON NELSON father and child – by race. The horrifying reality saddened
MANDELA: me – that human beings could do that to one another.
■■ My feelings about
Nelson Mandela – ■■ In the course of history, among great leaders, Mandela
Madiba – are deep. towered – but he was the first to say he was not a perfect
They are shared human…He noted that he was concerned that he not be
across this country, regarded as a saint…He would have preferred to live as a
this continent and man – to remind us that the possibility of such humanity
our world…We all exists in each of us - than to be turned into a myth.
stand today on his
shoulders, with a ■■ Mandela confessed some qualities that could be considered
shared sense of the flaws. But he manifested them as virtues.
respect, admiration and
pride for the feat that he ■■ He stared life-threatening danger in the face and refused to
accomplished. be cowed. He lived through his family’s suffering for his long
walk to freedom was also that of his nearest and dearest.
■■ As a young girl, my earliest When he declared that he was prepared to die for the ideal
memory of the liberation struggle was when I was 11 years of a democratic and free society, this was not an academic
old and I asked my father if we could visit South Africa. He promise even if it started as an ideal.
sighed and said no, that was impossible for a family like
ours of mixed heritage. Why not? I wanted to know. He tried ■■ Nelson Mandela taught that freedom is indivisible, noting
to explain the unexplainable; that as constituted – black that “the chains on any one of my people were the chains on
father, white mother – we would be breaking the law. In all of them; the chains on all of my people were the chains
apartheid South Africa, we would be segregated – mother, on me.”
ON WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN LABOUR FORCE:
■■ On the economic front, if we look at the labour force we find ■■ We have evidence that one of the greatest predictors of
women doing some of the most important work in society stability and resilience to conflict is levels of gender equality
for the least compensation. Unpaid domestic work – which in a society, and that women’s meaningful participation in
often involves taking care of loved ones – falls on three peace processes increases the sustainability of peace by
times more women than men. 30% over the long term.
■■ The empowerment of women is more than a social impera- ■■ We could literally fill this
tive or a matter of justice. It is essential to achieving sustain- entire hall with documents
able development, protecting our environment and securing proving that well-
peace. educated women
who have equality in
■■ A report issued by the World Economic Forum last month political participation
noted that it would take 217 years to equalize the pay and and the jobs market
employment opportunities of men and women. Perhaps raise income for
most disturbing is that this number has increased from the everyone – and
170 years researchers calculated a year ago – meaning that improve living
we are in fact seeing the gender equality gap increasing standards for gen-
rather than decreasing. erations to come.
8 INFOCUS
ON GENDER EQUALITY:
■■ Socially, environmentally and politically, women have bread winners or aloof and distant fathers, we disempower
proven that when you invest in them, you get results families and create public policies that don’t match
for all. The question is how to build on these the reality of households.
gains and achieve true gender equality.
The answer is investment in women’s ■■ Gender inequality affects every one
empowerment in all its ramifications of us. And addressing it is equally our
along with a cultural shift in mindsets shared responsibility. That change will
so that women’s equality is a given need to happen with our youth.
in all societies.
■■ Just as the world came
■■ But gender is not equal to women. together to support the end of subju-
Gender inequality, norms, and gation on the basis of race in this
stereotypes affect men and women, country, we need today to birth a new
girls and boys. When young boys are movement that calls for true equality,
taught that it is not manly to cry, they everywhere. We as leaders must stand
learn to suppress their emotions. When up and take collective responsibility for
young men are taught that violence is our current failings but also for the actions
masculine and accepted, we create the next we must take to end the conflict, injustice,
generation of those who seek solutions at the inequality, corruption and ensure true inclusive
barrel of a gun. When society dictates the role of men as democracy, peace and prosperity for our people.
ON SDGS: ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE:
■■ It has been called a ‘declaration of interdependence’ com- ■■ The continuous battle of overcoming structural barriers
posed of 17 Goals and 169 targets. The Goals represent as well as cultural and social challenges must be fought
unprecedented ambition to free humankind from the with a new narrative that addressees the current context
tyranny of want. They envisage transforming the way gov- and constituency of young people left behind.
ernments interact with people, businesses interact with
communities, and all of us interact with our environment. ■■ This country knows these statistics all too well. Read-
ing the front page of a Johannesburg daily newspaper
■■ Women and girls are at the heart of the SDGs. These yesterday I saw similar facts – one in four women are the
Goals can change history by ensuring women’s rights and victim of violent abuse, an estimated 100 rapes occur per
leadership around the world. day, and half of children are abused before they turn 18.
■■ But we will only realize the potential of the SDGs if we ■■ Marginalized and younger women are particularly at risk,
take seriously the values of inclusion and leaving no one and often suffer greater consequences. Young women
behind. The sustainable change that we need to see will who experience intimate partner violence are 50% more
only be possible if we are including young people – girls likely to have acquired HIV than women who have not
and boys. experienced violence.
ON VIOLENT EXTREMISM ON CLIMATE CHANGE:
■■ One of the greatest threats to global security is violent ■■ No one can deny that climate change is real, manmade
extremism. I have seen its effects in my own country and has a role in pushing up global temperatures –
and around the world, and I have met with the survivors. and therefore we know mankind is responsible for
Extremists of all types seek to curtail women’s rights and can address the problem before it is too late. The
– the rights to education, health, political life; freedom signs are with us everywhere across the globe.
of association and movement, and freedom to make
choices.
■■Sadly, the context we face in our world today poses new
threats beyond terrorism, we also face the major threat
to security and development posed by climate change.
Exacerbating poverty and vulnerability of the poorest in
our societies.
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 9
WFP
Top: Five-year-old cousins Wendy, Nosipho and Bandile at the centre.
Young Swazis get some
Bottom: Children at Za5khele Neighbhourhood Care Point in Swaziland
about to enjoy a hot meal. Photo: WFP/David Orr
neighbourhood care from
South Africa
How a contribution from the government
of South Africa helped the World Food Many of the smallholders have expressed satisfaction that
Programme to assist vulnerable children their produce was being used in a spirt of ‘Ubuntu’ to help vul-
nerable children in neighbouring Swaziland. The NCPs provide
in neighbouring Swaziland a safe place for 52,000 disadvantaged boys and girls to access
By David Orr early education while receiving meals and health care.
For the past few years, five-year-old cousins Wendy, Nos-
S
waziland—a landlocked country almost entirely ipho and Bandile have been attending classes at Zakhele NCP,
contained within the northeast corner of South just outside one of Swaziland’s largest towns, Manzini. They live
Africa—faces numerous challenges including poverty, with parents or relatives in a nearby compound consisting of
chronic food insecurity and high levels of HIV/AIDS. some 20 simple stick-and-mud huts. These are very poor fami-
Like other countries in the region, it is only now emerging from lies with little or no work. The carers at the NCP say all three
the shadow of two successive years of drought caused by the El children showed signs of malnutrition when first they started
Niño weather phenomenon. coming to the centre.
That is why the World Food Programme was so pleased to Swaziland is one of the countries in the region that was
have received a contribution of nearly US$3 million (ZAR40 hardest hit by drought in recent years. Some 640,000
million) from the South African government to provide food people—nearly half the population—faced some level of food
assistance for the orphans and other vulnerable children who insecurity during the peak of the 2016–17 lean season.
attend the country’s Neighbourhood Care Points (NCPs). The longer-term effect of contribution serves an important
With these funds, WFP purchased thousands of metric tons role in reaching the goals of sustainable development both in
of maize, beans and vegetable oil for its NCP assistance pro- South Africa and the region.
gramme in Swaziland. A significant proportion of the maize and
pulses was sourced from smallholder farmers in South Africa.
The support from South Africa enabled WFP to resume food
distributions to the NCPs in August 2017. These had to be sus-
pended in mid-2016 due to lack of funding for the programme
and, in the interim, many centres struggled to survive. But now,
disadvantaged boys and girls at the NCPs have started once
again receiving daily hot meals.
As part of its NCP food assistance programme, WFP is
attempting to source 40% of the maize and 100% of the beans
directly from smallholder farmers in South Africa.
The idea is to empower smallholder farmers in South Africa
by providing them with greater market access for their products,
while ensuring that small business and emerging millers are
integrated into the entire value chain.
10 INFOCUSUNODC
Global action in the fight against human trafficking and migrant
smuggling in South Africa
S
outh Africa is one of the pri- smuggled migrants. For trafficking, on human trafficking for criminal justice
mary destinations for trafficked different government departments often practitioners in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal,
persons in Africa. It is also used produce their own statistics, disaggre- which was attended by 62 participants,
as a country of origin or transit gated according to diverse factors. Gaps the majority of them women.
point for those trafficking to Europe in identifying trafficked persons, par- The aim of the workshop was to
and North America. The trafficking ticularly those not trafficked for sexual identify and investigate cases of human
involves women, men and children who exploitation, also hamper data collection. trafficking and strengthen victim referral
are exploited by being forced to work, mechanisms; increase the provision of
engange in commercial sex, commit victim protection, including the appropri-
crime and beg in the streets. ate issuance of letters of recognition for
With internal trafficking, girls are the victims; identify suspected cases
moved from rural to urban areas for while providing correct follow-up and
sexual exploitation and domestic ser- Often powerful referral mechanisms; and to strengthen
vitude while boys are often forced into
child labour and criminal activities. It’s
and well-resourced the handling and prosecution of cases.
The workshop proved to be such a
worth noting that trafficking frequently interests do not take success to the participants that UNDOC
involves criminal networks dominated these crimes seriously plans for hold similar workshops in
by different nationalities in different
locations.
enough. other provinces. Prior to the workshop,
UNODC had held its first information-
In response to this practice, the sharing workshop in Pretoria in June
United Nations Office on Drugs and 2017, which brought together key stake-
Crime (UNODC) and the European Union As a result, in April 2017, UNODC holders to develop plans on how South
launched the Global Action to Prevent and the department of home affairs Africa should respond comprehensively
and Address Trafficking in Persons started a research study on the migrants to cases of trafficking of persons and
and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO. smuggling. The study, which is expected smuggled migrants.
ACT) in South Africa in September 2016. to last until the end of 2018, will collect
The four-year joint initiative is being data from all of South Africa’s nine
implemented in partnership with the provinces. The data will facilitate policy
International Organization for Migration decisions based on collected evidence,
(IOM) and UNICEF. particularly in view of the fact that
At the launch, the former Minister the home affairs department is
of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, noted: currently drafting a legislative
“Often powerful and well-resourced inter- bill on smuggled migrants,
ests do not take these crimes seriously which UNODC hopes to
enough,” adding, “When questioned support.
they reply, ‘What is the rate of child or A secondary
women trafficking?’, as if to suggest that priority for UNODC
one person smuggled or trafficked is an is the provision of
acceptable figure.” capacity building
The GLO.ACT programme was to increase the
expected to be implemented across 15 efficiency of
southern African countries . It focuses criminal justice
on assisting governments, civil society practitioners to
organizations as well as the victims of respond to the
trafficking and smuggled migrants. trafficking of per-
The key challenge of the programme sons and smug-
in South Africa is to address the lack gled migrants. In
of systematic collection and analy- July 2017, UNODC
sis of data on trafficked persons and hosted a workshop
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 11UN supports South Africa’s efforts
to track SDGs progress
By Lindiwe Dhlamini
S
outh Africa is working to bring the 2030 the UN, to ensure that all partners are equally engaged to
Agenda for Sustainable Development provide substantive inputs into Statistics South Africa’s
and the Sustainable Development Goals four sectoral working groups on SDGs indicators: social;
(SDGs) to the core of its development environment; economic and partnerships as well as
agenda. The country’s National Develop- peace, safety and governance. The first stage involves
ment Plan: Vision 2030, aims to achieve finalizing South Africa’s Indicator Baseline Report on
its goals within the same timeframe as the 17 SDGs and SDGs which will form the foundation for future tracking
thus provide an opportunity for convergence and align- of progress towards the SDG targets in preparation for
ment of the two agendas. the country’s first SDGs Report which will be out in 2019.
The SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, are To this end, the UN has commissioned research in
designed to build on the “unfinished business” from the support of the government, including a Background
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by embracing a Paper on Environmental Dimensions of Sustainable
comprehensive vision of sustainable development that
recognises the link between the economic, social and
environmental development.
To date, a lot of work has gone into mobilizing partners
within the private and public sectors, civil society, financial
development institutions and the academia, as well as
12 INFOCUScountry office’s economic adviser, Fatou led by the Governance Programme Manager,
Leigh, observed that innovation and technol- Bongani Matomela, has been working with
ogy has changed the way data is collected, non-state actors in developing and applying
processed and used in recent years. It was the indicator framework and the first country
therefore important to question the tradi- baseline report on Goal 16 to track progress.
tional ways of data gathering and dissemina- In March 2017, the African Policing Civilian
tion. She questioned whether it was neces- Oversight Forum (APCOF) was contracted
sary to wait for ten years before conducting to develop a mechanism to strengthen the
a population census. participation of South African civil society
She further noted that as important as in monitoring Goal 16. South Africa is one of
data was, funding for it was not prioritised the seven pilot countries around the world
in many countries and was therefore not to initiate this study using funds from the
adequate, predictable and sustainable. This US Agency for International Development
was particularly relevant to the SDGs. She (USAID).
called for all stakeholders to identify cham- Over a period of eight months, the project,
pions within their organisations who would among others, developed a gaps analy-
advocate for data funding. sis on the proposed monitoring framework
According to Ms. Leigh, it was important developed by Statistics South Africa; held
to build strong alliances and partnerships to two national multi-stakeholder consultations
promote transparency and accountability in designed to strengthen civil society’s capac-
the generation and use of data. She urged ity to monitor and implement SDGs; and
national statistics offices to work more closely designed an accessibility tool to empower
with other sources such administrative data, communities to take an active role in meas-
social media and the uring and reporting
private sector. on progress towards
In view of these Goal 16; and demon-
observations, UN strated the use of the
officials note that accessibility tool in
the UN should con- The SDGs, adopted Orange Farm, a poor
sider assisting Sta-
tistics South Africa’s
by the United Nations township south of
Johannesburg.
ISIbalo Capacity in 2015, are designed The exercise is
Building Programme to build on the designed to align
that aims to build
African statistical
“unfinished business” the UN’s work with
current government
capacity relevant to from the MDGs. programmes in its
African challenges. efforts to leave no
The UN could also one behind. Accord-
consider giving support to the government’s ing to a senior official from Statistics South
Development Goals (SDGs) in South Africa’s newly-launched Centre for Regional and Africa, this was the first engagement of its
National Development Plan (NDP) prepared Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration. kind involving the government, civil society
by Prof. Godwell Nhamo, and The South and the UN. Entities that contributed to the
Africa Country Data Report: A survey of PARTNERSHIPS alignment process included the National
data sources for the indicators relating to the SDG 16 seeks to promote peaceful and inclu- Alliance for the Development of Community
Sustainable Development Goals, prepared by sive societies for sustainable development, Advice Officers, the National Alliance for
Prof. Jean-Paul Van Belle. provide access to justice for all and build Non-Governmental Organizations of South
effective, accountable and inclusive institu- Africa, the Department of Planning, Monitor-
IMPORTANCE OF DATA TO SDGS tions at all levels. At the global level, UNDP ing and Evaluation, the Department of Public
Following the first ever UN World Data has been mandated to assist countries in Service and Administration, the Office of the
Forum held in Cape Town in early 2017, developing indicators to track progress on High Commissioner for Human Rights and
the UN Development Programme (UNDP) this goal. To this end, the UN in South Africa, UNDP.
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 13INTERVIEW
Yahya Amadou Ba
Deputy Country Director for UNDP South Africa
Yahya Amadou Ba is the new Deputy Country Director responsible for operations for the
UN Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa. InFocus’ Zeenat Abdool sat down
with him to talk about his new assignment. Prior to this appointment, he held a similar
position with UNDP in Tanzania.
Q: What exactly does your position As you know, DRC is a post-conflict I’m signing or approving is right and
entail? country. Tanzania is not like South Africa, legitimate. That is very important and I
A: I am the second in authority in the which is a middle-income country. I need to be very attentive. I think in this
UNDP in South Africa. I report to the wanted to have experience from a more office I’m very fortunate because my col-
country director and I am in charge developed country like South Africa. I leagues are very professional. In terms
of all the operations of the office— think the challenges are different. I used of capacity, we have all the managers
from finance to procurement, human to work on emergencies to fix issues and we need, we just need to put in place
resources, information technology, to help build capacities in a post-conflict standard operating procedures to be
logistics and everything else that nobody environment. But now I am here in South more transparent in our work. But I think
wants to handle. They come to me and Africa where all the difficult issues have we have a good team.
I fix it. One of my functions is to work already been resolved and the level of
together with the UN agencies so that support and engagements are different. On a lighter note, what do you like
we are more efficient and effective in It’s a new challenge that I wanted to face. about being in South Africa? Is it
delivering our mandates. your first time here?
Which areas of the UN in South To be honest, what I enjoy is to be at
What type of skills are needed for Africa need improvement or you are Menlyn Mall [laughs]. I work hard and
this position? hoping to improve? I leave the office at around 7 or 8pm.
I think we need broad skills but for me, I have been here for just two months. I When I get home I’m so tired. I expect
what brought me to this position is don’t pretend to know everything about that by the end of the year I will go out
my background and education. I am a South Africa but from my initial assess- and visit some tourist sites and also go
certified public accountant and got my ment, we need to improve on common into the countryside in other provinces to
certificate in Senegal. I used to be an services, how we can work together as see what is out there.
auditor in the private sector. I then went the UN. Because if every UN agency is
to UNDP where my main skill is to be operating separately without mobilizing What do you do in your spare time?
someone who is ready to support and to our resources as one entity, then we will What are your hobbies?
work hard. If you don’t want to work hard not be effective. I want to work with my When I leave the office and I’m home, I
and even in emergency situations then other counterparts in UN agencies to just pray and watch TV and then go to
this position is not for you. You need to see how and where we can cooperate to bed. But by early morning, at 5am, I go to
have knowledge in procurement, finance, deliver efficient services. Virgin Active gym to exercise and then
human resources and in building rela- around 8am I am here
tions with partners and suppliers; this is What are some of the challenges in the office. I
very important. I think the main skill you you face in this position? Managing like sports
need for this position is someone who money must be tough! and running,
can manage and deliver results based It’s not about the amount of money, those are
on best value for money. We want quality it’s about principle, every dollar or rand my hob-
but also at a good price for procurement counts. We are managing public funds bies.
or other activities. and it gives us an obligation and commit-
ment to be very selective and transparent
You previously held positions in the in managing those public funds. Every
Democratic Republic of the Congo time I have to approve something or to
(DRC) and Tanzania. What motivated sign a cheque, I have to be very seri-
you to come to South Africa? ous about it and make sure that what
14 INFOCUSWHO
UNHCR thrust into the “politics ...
from page 5
Public Health
Association of South Affairs, the Department of Social Devel-
Africa urged to opment and respected human rights
organizations. This is to ensure that
promote National communities are better informed about
the reasons leading to refugee crises and
Health Insurance the obligations South Africa has towards
those seeking protection.
T
he Public Health Association of INTEGRATING WITH LOCAL
South Africa (PHASA) should COMMUNITIES
voice its support of, and promote “Working with the South African gov-
the country’s proposed National ernment and other institutions is critical
Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, says if we’re going to provide refugees who
the country representative of the World have fled persecution and have lost the
Health Organization in South Africa, Dr. protection of their countries, the oppor-
Rufaro Chatora. tunity to start over again,” adds Cooper.
“I scan the media every day and I hear Many township residents complain
the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoal- however that refugees do very little to
edi’s lone voice promoting NHI. However, ensure their integration at community
there is almost nothing from PHASA,” Dr. level. Complaints that refugees from
Chatora told participants at the PHASA’s particular countries are aloof, isolate
13th annual conference held recently in themselves and are disinterested in the
Johannesburg, South Africa. community they supposedly serve, are
The NHI scheme is South Africa’s unfortunately quite common.
strategy to move towards universal health Ahmed* disputes this. “I have made
coverage guided by international frame- all kinds of overtures to engage my
works of the United Nations such as the Dr Rufaro Chatora South African counterparts with the aim
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of assisting them glean business skills
particularly Goal 3 on ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all from refugee traders but all of them have
ages. been ignored.”
NHI also aims to meet the World Health Organizations (WHO)’s frameworks on “This makes me believe that it is not
moving towards universal health coverage whose goals are access to essential qual- just our business practices that pose a
ity health services, financial risk protection, and responsiveness. Achieving universal threat to some local business people. It
health coverage will contribute significantly towards realising the vision of a long and is our very presence.”
healthy life for South Africans. Irrespective of what the case may
The conference reflected on the World Federation of Public Health Associations be, UNHCR strongly urges refugees to
(WFPHA) and WHO collaboration on “A Global Charter for the Public’s Health” and its actively participate in lawful community-
implications for public health in South Africa. Four enabling functions of the Charter: based activities to better facilitate their
governance, capacity, information and advocacy were examined during the conference, integration in the townships.
including how these can be strengthened in South Africa. For Seifu* though, “Enough is
The conference was attended by over 300 national and international participants enough. I can’t continue living like this.”
spanning the spectrum of public health including academia, researchers, students, Ahmed, on the other hand is adamant,
administrators and civil society. Dr. Chatora’s presenta- “My family and I are going nowhere.” He
tion also addressed South Africa’s global commitments says he has no intentions of starting over
such as the International Health Regulations 2005, again in any other part of the world. “I
examining how PHASA can strengthen the country’s have done all the starting over I am going
work to attain these commitments. He also emphasized to do. South Africa is the only home
the important role South Africa could play to support my children know and Africa is where I
public health in other African countries through its choose to remain.”
strong institutions such as the National Institute for
Communicable Diseases, WHO Collaborating Centres *Names have been changed to protect
and Universities. the identity of refugees interviewed.
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 15Inter-generational dialogue with Soul City Rise Young Women’s Club. L-R and UN Deputy Secretary-
General Amina Mohammed, Graca Machel, UN Women SAMCO Representative Anne Githuku-
Shongwe, Acting UN Resident Coordinator Rufaro Chatora.
Deputy Minister for Social Development Hon Hendrietta B
Githuku-Shongwe at the Edgars UNiTE Western Cape Fina
Panelists at a discussion on migrants and refugees on International Migrants Day.
UNHCR’s launch of the LuQuLuQu campaign in South Afric
Model UN debates student at the finals in Johannesburg. Gana Fofang, former UN Resident Coordinator in South Af
16 INFOCUSModel UN debates students.
Bogopane-Zulu & UN Women SAMCO Representative Anne
ale.
Table Mountain lit orange to spotlight 16 Days of Activism.
ca with High-Level Influencers.
UNAIDS Director (South Africa) Mbulawa Mugabe (left) and Executive Director Michel Sidibé (cen-
frica. tre) greet Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi in Cape Town in November 2017.
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 17UN’s contribution
to development in
South Africa
The Strategic Cooperation Framework:
Progress Report
T
his is a summary of the contribution of the United
Nations agencies to South Africa’s development
between 2013 and 2015 in line with the UN Strategic
Cooperation Framework (SCF). It examines the gov-
ernance structures supporting the implementation
of the SCF, and draws key lessons for strengthening
future cooperation between South Africa and the UN.
UN’s support during this period was based on the recom-
mendations of the review, “Joint Evaluation of the Role and Con-
tribution of the United Nations System in South Africa (JERC)”,
commissioned by the South African government and the UN in
2008/2009.
CHALLENGES OF THE UN-GOVERNMENT RELA-
TIONSHIP
The review identified several coordination challenges between
the UN and various government departments. Among them
were the absence of thorough review mechanisms of UN
programmes in line with the SCF; the absence of South African development framework, the National Development Plan (NDP), to
government representation in appropriate structures at the eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and address unemployment.
UN; the incongruousness of planning cycles; the translation of The UN has worked with various government departments on
global agendas/multilateral agreements into national ones; lim- multiple programmes since the roll-out of the SCF in 2013.
ited resources available from the government for UN-supported The UN has also worked closely with civil society, the private
programmes; the absence of a rigorous coordination structure sector and other partners to advance this shared agenda through
within the government; shortage of staff at UN agencies; limited the four SCF pillars: inclusive growth and decent work; sustainable
incentives for joint programming between UN agencies; and, a development; human capabilities; governance and participation.
high-level of transition in government and at the UN. Most of the outputs as envisaged in the SCF are on track. Detailed
contributions made by the UN and progress to date at an output
REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS level are provided in the Annexures.
In response to these challenges, the report recommended that
although individual UN agency programmes were well coordi- UN CONTRIBUTIONS
nated within the mechanisms established with lead or sectoral The UN has contributed to the discussions, formulation and
government departments, overall, the UN needs to engage more implementation of government policies the knowledge and
often and in a more coordinated way with government and, as a research products supported by various agencies operating in
first step towards this, that entry points are determined and vari- South Africa.
ous government portfolios are consistently approached for their
advice and involvement with SCF programmes. INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND DECENT WORK
One of the overarching recommendations of the JERC was for The UN supported the first pillar through interventions across
the UN to ‘deliver as one’, hence the UN Country Team put meas- provinces and, to some extent, within local and national govern-
ures in place to ensure that UN agencies organize and coordinate ment spheres. Many of the interventions focused on technical
their activities in a more synchronized and harmonized manner support and addressed unemployment issues through Small,
while avoiding duplication. Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). These included the
Holistically, the UN’s focus in South Africa to support the Supplier Development Programme (SDP), which implemented
government in addressing the triple challenges of the country’s in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
18 INFOCUSand the Department of Small Business HUMAN CAPABILITIES protection to informal workers, among
Development (DSBD). The third pillar focuses on promoting others.
The SDP is an in-depth programme equality and equity in access to early
that provides mentorship to selected childhood development, basic education, GOVERNANCE AND
SMMEs and businesses that show the health, nutrition and social welfare ser- PARTICIPATION
potential, with support, to become suppli- vices aimed at combatting poverty. The In addressing the final pillar, the UN con-
ers to larger companies. The goals of the UN provided support to advance women’s tributed substantive technical support,
SDP are to enable SMMEs to participate and girls’ empowerment and reproductive programme implementation and coordi-
in global markets, to generate and release rights, including for the most vulnerable nation to the Department of Public Service
capital for the investment in fixed assets and marginalized women, children and and Administration in its bid for institu-
and to contribute to the industrialization of adolescents. tion building, professionalizing the public
the country’s strategic sectors. Programmes to strengthen human sector, strengthening integrated service
The UN has also provided techni- capabilities focus on generation of evi- delivery, and improving employment con-
cal support to the DSBD in formulating dence, including through pilot and dem- ditions and labour relations.
the National Informal Business Strategy onstration initiatives. They also aim to At the same time, the UN facilitated a
approved by cabinet in the first quarter of strengthen the capacity and to provide knowledge-exchange programme, which
2015, as well as the Department of Rural expert technical support to improve the contributed to a national consultative pro-
Development and Land Reform to develop quality of basic education, the quality of cess led by the Public Service Commis-
key policies and legislation on land reform mother, newborn and child health, as well sion, which developed a Concept Paper
as a key to address inequality. The UN fur- as sexual and reproductive health services, on building a capable, career-oriented
ther assisted the government to develop and access to social protection in South professional public service to strengthen
relevant tools to assess the employment Africa. a capable developmental state. The UN
impact of its public invest- also assisted government
ment programmes such as the to improve access to land
Expanded Public Works Pro- and quality health services
gramme and the Community through health systems
Works Programme. strengthening.
These initiatives include
SUSTAINABLE development of the National
DEVELOPMENT Strategy to prevent HIV drug
The second pillar supports resistance; support for the
South Africa’s ambition to Department of Health in
achieve an environmentally reviewing the Medical Male
sustainable and equitable Circumcision policy; technical
transition towards a low-car- support in the revision of the
bon climate resilient economy, HIV Counselling and Test-
as expressed in the NDP. Fol- ing policy; and support for
lowing a request from South the review of the changes on
Africa’s Department of Envi- infant HIV-testing indicators.
ronmental Affairs in 2013, Overall, UN agencies in
the UN commissioned a study to assess UN agencies assisted in developing, South Africa have provided technical and
potential opportunities and options to implementing and reviewing national advisory support to national partners in
promote a green economy, with a focus on policies. These included reviewing the their efforts to develop, improve and imple-
key economic sectors set out by the NDP. Maternal Nutrition, Children’s Health ment enabling policies that meets that
The assessment shows that strengthening Strategy 2012-2016, implementing the meets the objectives of the SCF. In the
natural resource management and envi- new National Contraception and Fertil- future, this support can be strengthened
ronmental protection was key to sustained ity Planning Policy and Guidelines, and through better coordination with govern-
economic growth and wellbeing. developing the National Youth Policy ment, allowing for regular consultation,
After the 2008 Libreville Declaration 2015-2020 and the National Early Child- engagement and information sharing.
on Health adopted by 52 countries, includ- hood Development Policy. The UN also As outlined in communications between
ing South Africa, the country developed a supported research and to improve the South Africa’s National Treasury and
Climate Change Health Adaptation Plan effectiveness and efficiency of imple- the UN, this would avoid the challenges
and conducted a situational analysis and menting existing policies, including, for of fragmented approaches, ad hoc and
needs assessment on health and the envi- example, the Child Grant Exclusion Study infrequent reporting, duplication of efforts
ronment with technical support from the in close cooperation with South Africa’s both within the UN and between the UN
UN. Following this, the UN put together a Social Security Agency, as well as ana- and government departments, and reduce
set of indicators for monitoring purposes. lyzing policy options in extending social transaction costs.
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 19INTERVIEW Kazumi Ikeda-Larhed The Deputy Director of the Partnerships and South-South Cooperation Division of the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Kazumi Ikeda-Larhed, recently visited South Africa and sat down with InFocus’ Zeenat Abdool for an interview on FAO’s internship programme for South African youth. 20 INFOCUS
Q: Could you explain what your programmes could be a channel through
role entails as the Deputy Director which South African youth could be
of Partnerships and South-South mobilized to become agents for change
Cooperation for FAO? to assist in attaining SDGs on poverty and
A: Our division is responsible for
Right now, only 10% hunger. We had a very good discussion
with the acting director-general of the
consolidating and expanding our multi- of the internship Department of Agriculture, Forestry and
stakeholder partnerships. South-South programme Fisheries. As one of our key partners in
cooperation is a very important means
to expand partnership relations. South
participants come government, his department is fully sup-
portive of our programmes. Unfortunately,
Africa is one of the key partner coun- from Africa and FAO has not been working closely with
tries for FAO. My division’s task is to we have none South African youth, so we need to
reach out to different stakeholders such
as governments, the private sector, civil
from South Africa. change that.
society, organizations for farmers and This is obviously FAO has held outreach seminars at
women, the academia and the media. not working and I universities. What are they about?
We are trying to forge partnerships
on the 17 Sustainable Development
would like to bridge We recently restructured the FAO intern-
Goals (SDGs), especially the goal on this missing link ship programme to make it more globally
partnerships. by reaching out to inclusive. We looked at the trends over
What brings you to South Africa?
local youth through the past five years and found that 71% of
participants in the internship programme
support to the FAO come from across the globe but consist-
It is part of my strategic outreach country office in ing of mainly Europeans and Americans.
missions. I have lived in South Africa
before and I know how important this
Pretoria so that we This is good but we would also like to see
more African students coming to work
country is in terms of engagement, not can really see a with FAO through this programme. Our
only within the southern African region difference. priority now is to generate more interest
or African continent, but also beyond. among youth from universities in South
South Africa is an important player in Africa and other parts of Africa. Right now,
ending hunger and also in ensuring nutri- only 10% of the internship programme
tion and food security for all. participants come from Africa and we have none from South
Africa. This is obviously not working and I would like to bridge
You said one of the objectives of your visit is to engage this missing link by reaching out to local youth through support
with youth in attaining food security or achieving SDG 2 to the FAO country office in Pretoria so that we can really see
on zero hunger. How do you plan to achieve this? a difference. The average period of internships in FAO is three
to eleven months which is combined with class rooms learning
My division recently re-launched the FAO’s global internship, and real-life learning opportunities that give students exposure
volunteers and fellows programmes with youth as our primary to the work of the UN and the prospects of career opportunities.
target, especially university students and high school gradu- We accept applications from anybody interested in the intern-
ates. This is one concrete way that FAO can work with the ship programme and I would really like to encourage students
youth. There is vast talent within the South African youth. But in South Africa to apply through the FAO website. Applicants
so far FAO has not really been harnessing this potential among are required to apply online, together with a motivation letter.
young women and men. These internship and fellowship
Is there a plan to extend these out-
reach seminars beyond Pretoria and
Cape Town?
We work with faculty members and senior
management of the universities who help
us to disseminate information throughout
the country. This is just the beginning. We
have also discussed the programme with
our government counterparts. We plan to
have nationwide engagements through
Farm inspection with Dr. Lewis Hove (in glasses), FAO Regional Director workshops and seminars. We have already
for Southern Africa and Acting Country Representative in South Africa. received more than a thousand applications
so far but not one from South Africa.
JANUARY - MARCH 2018 21You can also read
