During his State of the Nation Address President Jacob Zuma highlighted the need to tackle the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. The African National Congress (ANC) in its Social Transformation Policy document to be debated during its policy conference in June this year, cites that as a matter of urgency, there is a need to finalise the Anti-Poverty White Paper.
The aim of this White Paper is to assist government in addressing poverty, inequality and unemployment in an integrated and coordinated manner.
Such approach will not only address the socio-economic challenges that are facing South Africa, but will further identify and propose key pillars of eradicating poverty, reduction of inequality and unemployment. The Social Transformation policy to be debated by the ruling party in June confirms that for the past eighteen years, the South African government developed separate and isolated policies for the poor and the marginalised and there was a need to formulate policies in an integrated manner which will combat manifestations of poverty in the Health, Education, Transport, Basic Services, Housing as well as the Social sectors.
In support of this vision, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, will have a bi-lateral meeting with the Deputy Minister of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger in Brazil, Mr Romulo Paes de Soussa. This comes after two visits by the Minister, her Deputy Mrs Maria Ntuli and some of her senior managers in Brazil in November 2011 and February 2012 respectively. The Minister believes that there are lessons which can be learned from Brazil as a country that has reached remarkable benefits from its social security policies.
The bi-lateral meeting between the two countries will be focussing on the following engagements:
- experiences of the last ten years in eradicating poverty and inequality in Brazil;
- Brazil Without Extreme Poverty; and
- zero hunger which will outline productive inclusion and approaches in the rural and urban areas.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the event.
First day deliberations
Venue: Sheraton Hotel, Corner Church and Wessels Streets, Pretoria
Date: 10 April 2012
Time: 10H00
The Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini together with Deputy Minister Mrs Maria Ntuli will lead the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Food Security. There will also be a gala dinner which starts at 18H00 in the evening. The Ministries of Social Development of the Republic of South Africa and the Social Development and Fight Against Hunger of the Federal Republic of Brazil will also attend the gala dinner.
Second day deliberations
Venue: Sheraton Hotel, Corner Church and Wessels Streets, Pretoria
Date: 11 April 2012
Time: 10H00
For RSVP please contact Mr Jaconia Kobue on 082 313 4673 / 073 026 1111 or Mr Justice Ditshego on 079 497 7426.
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
