
Women20 SA "Women in solidarity"
The second and final day of the Women20 South Africa meeting starts with a plenary session that is led by Irene Natividad from the US.
The theme is Women in Solidarity, 2025 marks a decade of W20, which has been providing an opportunity for Africa to influence the G20's gender discussions.

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The Herald
7 hours ago
- The Herald
Ticad 9 ushers in new era of partnership
Twenty-five years ago, in 2000, I visited Senegal for the first time, marking my initial steps into Africa. I was overwhelmed by the dynamism of young students and the continent's vast potential, which convinced me that Africa has a bright future. Now that conviction is becoming a reality. Indeed, 2025 is essentially the year of Africa, highlighted by the dynamic synergy between two major international forums focusing on Africa: Japan hosting the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad 9) in Yokohama from August 20-22, and SA taking the lead in the G20 presidency. Initially incepted in 1993, Ticad remains a pioneering conference focused on African development for the past three decades, distinguished by its unique emphasis on 'African ownership' and 'international partnership'. Furthermore, Ticad's inclusiveness and openness to engage a wide range of stakeholders — such as international organisations, third countries, businesses, academia and NGOs — highlight its unique strengths. Embracing this philosophy, Japan will remain a steadfast partner for Africa. Ticad 9 will be held under the theme 'Co-create innovative solutions with Africa', where Japan aims to explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing Africa by leveraging its cutting-edge technologies and expertise. It is mutually beneficial to combine home-grown solutions developed in Africa with these solutions presented by Japan. Africa possesses abundant resources, a vibrant, youthful population, and remarkable potential for innovation. At the same time it faces significant challenges: poverty, conflict, unemployment, infectious diseases and climate change. Ticad 9 will address these head-on by focusing on three key cross-cutting approaches: Driving sustainable economic growth through private sector leadership. Japan will accelerate Africa's economic transformation by fostering private sector investment. This includes improving the investment environment and leveraging cutting-edge technologies in such areas as artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation, green transformation and the utilisation of satellite data. These will create new economic opportunities and enhance impacts. Japan's expertise and resources will be harnessed to support the growth of African businesses and the development of robust industrial ecosystems. Japan will accelerate Africa's economic transformation by fostering private sector investment. This includes improving the investment environment and leveraging cutting-edge technologies in such areas as artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation, green transformation and the utilisation of satellite data. These will create new economic opportunities and enhance impacts. Japan's expertise and resources will be harnessed to support the growth of African businesses and the development of robust industrial ecosystems. Empowering youth and women. Africa's future rests on the shoulders of its young people and women. Japan is committed to empowering youth and women through comprehensive human resource development programmes, targeting skills development in high-growth sectors. By nurturing their potential we can drive inclusive growth and create a more sustainable society. Africa's future rests on the shoulders of its young people and women. Japan is committed to empowering youth and women through comprehensive human resource development programmes, targeting skills development in high-growth sectors. By nurturing their potential we can drive inclusive growth and create a more sustainable society. Strengthening regional integration and connectivity. Regional integration is crucial for Africa's prosperity. Japan will strongly support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through facilitating cross-border trade and investment, and building value chains. In line with the initiative of Free and Open Indo-Pacific announced by Japan at Ticad 6 in Nairobi, Japan will continue to enhance connectivity, resilient institutions and human resource development in Africa. To achieve sustainable development and inclusive societies through these approaches, promoting peace and stability is crucial. Japan continues to partner with African countries, vigorously supporting Africa's own initiatives to strengthen peace and stability in the continent. Ticad 9 is more than a conference; it's a vibrant and living platform for forging deeper partnerships, generating innovative solutions, and building a shared vision for a prosperous and sustainable future for Africa and the world. The significance of the Japan-Africa partnership reaches far beyond its impact on Africa alone. Japan would like to work with Africa to strengthen inclusive and responsible global governance that ensures peace and prosperity of the international community. • Ishiba is prime minister of Japan.


Eyewitness News
8 hours ago
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Can the G20 boost South Africa's food security?
EWN met Gauteng's MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, as part of our special G20 coverage in the lead-up to the Leaders' Summit in November. Initially, we had hoped to catch up with her at the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, but instead we met at an agri-park in Soshanguve, a hidden gem where she introduced us to a young vegetable farmer. In her first year in office, Ramokgopa has focused not only on expanding the sector but also on ensuring it is representative of the people who live in Gauteng. "This is actually an incredible initiative, and we have a number of agri-parks all over the province. We are currently in Soshanguve at a project run by a woman farmer who has been here for several years. She has not only grown her business but has also become a positive force in the community, helping other farmers and serving as an aggregator for agriculture in this area. "We are also focused on education and training, because it's not just about making infrastructure investments. It's about ensuring people have the requisite technical skills and ongoing support from agricultural advisers. We also need municipalities to play their part, because they are at the coalface of service delivery, whether it's water, electricity, or general maintenance of these facilities," Ramokgopa said. She added that Gauteng sees an opportunity to enhance food security by supporting small-scale farmers and creating sustainable economic models and value chain support systems. As G20 president, South Africa hopes to leverage multilateral cooperation to strengthen its agricultural sector. The G20's focus on food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development could help address the challenges facing provinces like Gauteng. Key interventions include: Investment in climate-smart agriculture to promote practices such as precision farming, drought-resistant crops, and efficient irrigation. Support for small-scale farmers, including financial inclusion, training, and infrastructure development. Urban agriculture innovation, using rooftop gardens, hydroponics, and vertical farming to boost food production in densely populated cities. Trade and market access, particularly reducing barriers and opening up new export markets in an era of shifting global trade policy. Ramokgopa stressed that while agriculture may not be Gauteng's biggest GDP contributor, it is vital for food security, employment, and sustainability. "South Africa is a net exporter of food, producing enough to feed other countries. But we struggle to feed ourselves adequately due to affordability, input costs, tariffs, and distribution models. The challenge is ensuring food reaches the people who need it most," she said.


Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Daily Maverick
World Humanitarian Day, symposium honouring Babita Deokaran and more events in civil society
This week in civil society, events range from the Y20 Summit to World Humanitarian Day activities, community talks on gender justice, and school admissions support for undocumented learners. Also taking place is a whistleblower reporting webinar, a symposium honouring Babita Deokaran, and the Urban Land Justice Gathering in Cape Town. On Monday, 18 August, the Y20 South Africa Summit will begin and continue until Friday, 22 August 2025, under the theme 'Youth for Global Progress: Uniting for Solidarity, Championing Equality, Driving Sustainability '. The Y20 is the official youth engagement group for the G20 and will engage in dialogue, collaboration and action, ensuring that young voices contribute meaningfully to global decision-making. Y20 South Africa 2025 aims to empower young leaders to shape global policies that reflect the priorities of youth. Venue: Birchwood Hotel, Ekurhuleni Tuesday, 19 August marks World Humanitarian Day, which the United Nations says is a time to honour those who step into crises to help others. This year's message is that the humanitarian system is stretched to its limits — underfunded, overwhelmed and under attack. 'In 2024 alone, over 380 humanitarian workers were killed. Some in the line of duty, others in their homes. Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped or detained, and there is reason to fear 2025 could be worse. Too often, the world looks away, even when these attacks violate international law. The laws meant to protect aid workers are ignored. Those responsible walk free. This silence and lack of accountability cannot continue,' The UN said. In light of this, the UN will relaunch the #ActForHumanity campaign this World Humanitarian Day to demand protection, accountability and action for aid workers. The UN wants world leaders to: Protect humanitarian workers and the civilians they serve. Uphold international humanitarian law. Fund the lifelines we claim to support. On Tuesday, 19 August at 6pm, Youth Capital will host an online discussion called Community Talks — Invisible Threads 'This Women's Month, we're pulling back the curtain on the unseen work that keeps our communities alive. From ending gender-based violence to reimagining budgets and valuing care work, we'll explore how women, often without recognition or support, are holding it all together,' the organisation said. The following topics will be covered during the discussion: Shifting Power, Shifting Culture — What does it take to end gender-based violence beyond awareness and hashtags? National Budget: Who's Counted, What's Valued? — How gender-blind policy keeps work invisible and women at the margins. Care Work: The Unpaid Engine of Our Communities — Who cares for the carers, and what would real recognition look like? RSVP at this link. On Thursday, 21 August at 9am, Lawyers for Human Rights will be running a school admissions help desk for parents for the 2026 school year. The law says that no child can be denied basic education just because they do not have a birth certificate or ID. Through the help desk, Lawyers for Human Rights will advise parents and assist them with their children's admission to a public school, especially Grade 12, even if they do not have an ID or a birth certificate. Venue: Kutlwanong Democracy Centre, 357 Visagie Street, Pretoria Also on Thursday, at 2pm, the Wits Centre for Journalism will host a webinar on ethical and responsible practices when reporting on whistleblowers. The webinar is based on the recently published Wits Centre for Journalism handbook on Responsible Reporting on Whistleblowing, and will be hosted by award-winning journalist and author Mandy Wiener and centre for journalism lecturer and author Dr Nechama Brodie, who co-wrote the guide. Guest experts and speakers include attorney Charl du Plessis, economic and organised crime researcher Dr Ugljesa Radulovic (University of Johannesburg), and award-winning journalist Jeff Wicks. Register for this webinar here. On Friday, 22 August at 9am, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation will host a symposium to honour the life and sacrifices of Babita Deokaran. The symposium is titled Corruption in Gauteng Health — can it be stopped? It will include discussions and reflections on how to act to protect lives and restore integrity in our health system. Also happening on Friday, 22 August and Saturday, 23 August, several civil society organisations will host the third Urban Land Justice Gathering. The event is co-hosted by the Housing Development Agency, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies at the University of the Western Cape, A City Occupied collective, and Ndifuna Ukwazi. 'South Africa's spatial apartheid endures; townships and informal settlements remain scars of displacement, while prime urban land sits vacant or hoarded. Even landmark legal victories like the Bromwell Street ruling haven't dismantled this entrenched injustice, exposing the gulf between courtroom wins and material change. Significantly, the urban land crisis disproportionately affects women, who sustain most households yet face systemic barriers to ownership. While managing survival in informal settlements, they remain locked out of their land rights,' The organisations said. The two-day gathering will address the urgent need for land redistribution in light of South Africa's largely failed land reform programme, three decades into democracy.