8 November 2006
Eradicating rural poverty is one of the most critical challenges facing
government today. Efforts by government to address poverty through the
introduction of poverty alleviation programmes have resulted in limited
success. In the many approaches to deal with poverty such as the Integrated
Sustainable Rural Development Programme that responds to local need and
opportunities, more work still needs to be done to win the battle against
poverty.
Bahumagadi, which refers to wives of traditional leaders in rural areas,
will from Thursday, 9 to Friday, 10 November 2006, hold a two-day conference in
Mafikeng. In African culture, mohumagadi is regarded as a mother of the nation,
who bears the responsibility to ensure all social ills affecting her community
are attended to.
In this era, the social ills would refer to street children, the HIV and
AIDS threats, child pregnancy, child grants, violence against women and
children and much more. With such challenges a mohumagadi would be expected to
mobilise her community to deal with the problems.
The conference will among others address issues relating to advocacy,
whereby the women leaders can play a role of information dissemination to
communities. Other areas of interest are social development, economic
development and governance.
It is hoped the conference will yield effective vehicles for co-ordination
and management of the initiative. The formalised structure will be responsible
for setting up programmes and identifying projects that will benefit rural
communities.
Media is invited to cover the event.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Spokesperson, North West Provincial Government
Tel: (018) 387 3456
Tel: 082 578 4063
Enquiries:
Russel Mamabolo
Manager Media Relations
Tel: (018) 387 3103
Cell: 082 900 6610
Issued by: North West Provincial Legislature, North West Provincial
Government
8 November 2006
