13 October 2006
The Department of Social Development will from 16 - 18 October, host a three
day conference in Thaba Nchu, Free State, where key stakeholders, Government,
academia and business will discuss how to effectively deal with poverty
eradication and food shortages.
The conference will be held at the Motheo Further Education and Training
(FET) College, but proceedings on day one on 16 October will begin at 09h30 at
an open field near the Tsogang Batho Poverty Alleviation project at Feloane
Village, in Thaba Nchu.
The conference takes place during three key days in the international
poverty eradication calendar. These are the World Rural Women's Day on 15
October, World Food Day on 16 October, and International Poverty Eradication
Day on 17 October.
The theme of the seminar is "Promoting Full Employment and Decent Work for
all," and is in line with one of the eight Copenhagen Commitments stemming from
the World Summit for Social Development.
Thaba Nchu was chosen because it houses the Tsogang Batho Poverty
Alleviation Project, which is one of the projects that are showcased as
developmental projects that lead to sustainable livelihoods. The project uses
the greenhouse method of vegetable production, which allows the beneficiaries
to mass-produce vegetables for sale on a larger scale than usual.
The seminar is held under three sub-themes. These are:
* profiling the role of indigenous knowledge in food production
* rural women and poverty
* building sustainable communities.
The Premier of the Free State Ms Beatrice Marshoff will deliver the keynote
address. Other key speakers include the MEC for Social Development Ms Zanele
Dlungwana; the Deputy Mayor of the Mangaung District Municipality Mme Eva
Moiloa, and Kgosigadi Gaongalelwe Moroka representing traditional leaders.
The conference takes place as part of the marking of October as Social
Development Month. It will also touch on this year's theme of older persons. A
session on older persons and poverty eradication will take place on 17
October.
For more information, please contact:
Kgati Sathekge
Cell: 082 808 9486
Zingaphi Matanzima
Tel: (012) 312 7381
Issued by: Department of Social Development
13 October 2006
