Latest news with #Seri
TimesLIVE
13 minutes ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Many SA households don't have enough food to eat — study
Over 23% of SA households experienced inadequate or severely inadequate access to food, a recently released report on food security has revealed. The report, Food for Thought: Reflections on Food Insecurity, — which was launched by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (Seri) on Tuesday, — aims to better understand how vulnerable communities in the country experience hunger and food insecurity, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The results of the report comes from interviews Seri conducted with partner organisations representing informal workers, recyclers, domestic workers, and residents in informal settlements. The report also exposes the harsh realities of food poverty in both rural and urban settings. While SA produces enough food to feed its population, the report highlighted that economic access, not food availability, is the biggest barrier. 'Many households may 'move in and out of hunger' during the course of the month as they have to make decisions about food based on their income. In addition to economic or direct access, another way in which households or individuals are able to access food in dire economic circumstances, is through food aid,' read the report. Low wages, rising food prices, and structural inequalities leave many unable to afford nutritious meals. This not only affecting the unemployed but also working-class families earning minimum wage, the report added.
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Hunger crisis — rights group calls for state action as 23% of South Africans struggle to access food
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa has launched a report that unpacks the cause of South Africa's food poverty crisis and looks at legal frameworks to strengthen food security. 'People are not ignorant about nutrition, rather they are unable to access nutritious food and/or have to make strategic trade-offs,' it reads. Civil society organisations are calling for amendments to the updated National Food and Nutrition Security Plan to address and monitor affordability and food pricing and give people economic access to nutritious food. This is one of the recommendations in a new report by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (Seri). The report, launched on Tuesday at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, spotlights the struggles and the remedies people seek to put nutritious food on the table. The report is titled Food for Thought: Reflections on Food (In)Security. Laws, Experiences, Interventions. In the lead-up to its publication, Seri embarked on a #FoodJusticeWeek, during which it shared the experiences and coping strategies of partner organisations to highlight the impacts of food insecurity on the back of World Hunger Day. 'Seri stands in solidarity with communities around the country who experience hunger and food insecurity daily. Despite South Africa having the means to feed its population, millions still struggle to access sufficient and nutritious food,' the organisation said. The report notes official statistics that paint a bleak picture. According to Statistics South Africa's General Household Survey published in 2023, 23.1% of households nationally – more than one in five – report inadequate or severely inadequate access to food. A 2023 study commissioned by the then Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council found that half of all adults in South Africa are considered overweight or obese, while 69% of adults who are obese live in households that are food insecure and therefore have little choice in the food they eat and its nutritional value. 'The triple burden of malnutrition exists in the country, which happens when undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overnutrition exist simultaneously in society. Despite this, it is estimated that 10 million tonnes of food are wasted annually in South Africa, which constitutes about one-third of all available food. A disconnect exists between available food and those who struggle to access their next meal. Like the rest of the world, South Africa faces critical questions about how to produce food in a just and sustainable manner. Food wastage is not only a social and humanitarian concern, but also an environmental one,' the report reads. The report recommends the drafting of national framework legislation, such as a 'Food and Nutrition Security Act', which will be in line with recommendations from United Nations General Comment No 12 on the Right to Adequate Food. The report also highlights instances where the law has been used to compel the government to act on the right to food, including: Ensuring pupils received meals through the National School Nutrition Programme during Covid-19 lockdowns; Challenging barriers to access for the Social Relief of Distress Grant, linking to the right to social protection and food security; and Upholding the rights of artisanal fishers to access marine resources. The report also asserts that South Africa's National Policy on Food and Nutrition Security could help set out the roles and responsibilities of the different actors in relation to food security in South Africa, including an interdepartmental body with oversight responsibility. Other recommendations include: Implementation of a universal basic income grant; The Department of Employment and Labour to monitor the implementation of the national minimum wage and develop effective enforcement mechanisms; Civil society organisations and organisations and unions representing those in precarious work to keep advocating for a living wage; and The Department of Employment and Labour to monitor the working conditions of those in precarious work, such as domestic workers and farm workers. The research included case studies and anecdotes, including from a participant in a meeting in Slovo Park, who said: 'This hunger thing, it's changing our personality and it's changing our humanity. We have become like animals among each other. In order for me to have something in my stomach I have to do anything so that I don't go hungry.' DM
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Education Ministry finalising book voucher scheme for over 430,000 teachers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry will soon finalise details and implement the book voucher initiative for all Education Service Officers (PPP) under its purview. In a statement today, the ministry said it welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the initiative, which is expected to benefit over 430,000 teachers nationwide. "The ministry conveys its sincere appreciation to the prime minister for announcing the book voucher provision for all PPPs under the ministry during the closing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2025. "The announcement reflects his commitment to promoting a reading culture among the public, including educators," the statement read. In his speech at the event, Anwar said extending the book voucher initiative to over 400,000 teachers this year is part of the government's continued efforts to instil reading habits among Malaysians, especially school and university students. He also said teachers have a great responsibility in imparting knowledge as well as encouraging students to develop a love for reading. According to the ministry, the initiative aligns with its ongoing efforts to enhance reading habits across all levels and promote lifelong learning among educators. – BERNAMA
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Sovereign AI, Resilient Economies, and Regional Connectivity Headline FORTUNE ASEAN-GCC-China and FORTUNE ASEAN-GCC Economic Forums 2025
Landmark forums in Kuala Lumpur close with a high-level call for shared AI governance, infrastructure investment, and inclusive growth across ASEAN, GCC, and China. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The FORTUNE ASEAN-GCC-China and FORTUNE ASEAN-GCC Economic Forums 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, have concluded with a clear call to action: Advance sovereign AI, deepen regional economic ties, and adopt inclusive growth strategies to weather global uncertainties. Organized by Fortune in collaboration with the Government of Malaysia, the landmark two-day program convened heads of government, FORTUNE 500 CEOs, industry leaders, and innovation pioneers from ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China. With the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability," the forums provided a vital platform for government and business leaders to explore ways in which the 18 participating countries could collaborate to forge a shared economic roadmap for the future. Opening with the Fortune ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Forum (AGCEF) and Gala Dinner on Tuesday, the events catalyzed bold discussions on how to harness shared strengths—from natural resources and capital to digital infrastructure and youth-driven innovation—to navigate today's geopolitical and technological disruptions. At the AGCEF Gala Dinner, the Honourable Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, reaffirmed ASEAN's commitment to centrality, effective engagement, and focusing on economic fundamentals to drive growth. He expressed appreciation for the unprecedented cooperation from ASEAN, GCC, and China, noting the leaders' consensus to issue a joint statement outlining shared principles of good governance, policy clarity, and the protection of citizens' welfare across all three regions. His Excellency Li Qiang, Premier of the People's Republic of China told government ministers, policymakers and business leaders at the Gala Dinner that China, ASEAN, and the GCC countries enjoy a long-standing friendship and cooperation, rooted in a rich historical foundation. He noted that "China stands ready to work with ASEAN and GCC countries to strengthen alignment of development strategies, and deepen cooperation on regional integration. We must also firmly uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, safeguard the stable and unimpeded functioning of industrial and supply chains, and keep breaking new ground in our common development." At the ASEAN-GCC Economic Forum, leaders acknowledged the need for a new framework on global AI cooperation rooted in sovereignty, inclusivity, and digital infrastructure. His Excellency Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Vietnam told the forum AI is a strategic growth imperative and urged alignment between ASEAN's emerging markets and GCC nations. Leaders also explored strategies to enhance data infrastructure and drive innovation to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness. Unity in Harmony: A Historic Anthem for the Future In a celebration of unity, Fortune used AI to co-create the ASEAN-GCC-China Theme Song - "A Shared Future" (命运共同体) – which was unveiled at the Gala Dinner on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia's first female singer, Dalia Mubarak, was joined onstage by six top artists from across the three regions including Balqees Fathi from United Arab Emirates, Princess Norodom Jenna (Cambodia), Siti Nurhaliza (Malaysia), Laure Shang (China), Dana Al Meer (Qatar) and Văn Mai Hương (Vietnam). Together, they delivered a rousing live performance blending tradition with innovation and serving as a powerful symbol of female empowerment to inspire young female leaders. Images of the debut of "A Shared Future" can be downloaded here. Credit: Courtesy of Fortune Spotlighting Southeast Asia's Strategic Rise The two forums cement Fortune's growing role in highlighting the economic transformation of Southeast Asia and its pivotal position in bridging the East and the West. Collectively, the ASEAN-GCC-China corridor represents over two billion people and 20 per cent of global GDP. "The Fortune ASEAN-GCC-China and ASEAN-GCC Economic Forums 2025 are just the beginning. We are committed to chronicling how these regions define the next era of leadership on AI, energy, and inclusive growth. The forums demonstrate that ASEAN, the GCC, and China are not just responding to change but shaping it," says Clay Chandler, Executive Editor, Asia, Fortune. Looking ahead, Chandler notes, "Fortune will continue to spotlight the region's business transformation, and we are excited to announce the publication of the second annual FORTUNE Southeast Asia 500 next month." AGCEF and AGEF 2025: By the Numbers About the Forums The ASEAN-GCC-China and ASEAN-GCC Economic Forums were hosted by FORTUNE in collaboration with the Government of Malaysia via the Prime Minister's Office. Anchor partners included ADQ, G42 and XRG. Maybank and Guangzhou Industrial Investment Holdings Group supported as strategic partners. Our partners also included Berjaya, Lotus's, IJM Corporation Berhad, CPM, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Group, TCL Technology Group Corporation, EPG, BPai Technologies, Newfields and ACCCIM. FORTUNE drives the conversation about business. With a global perspective, the guiding wisdom of history, and an unflinching eye to the future, we report and reveal the stories that matter today-and that will matter even more tomorrow. With the trusted power to convene and challenge those shaping industry, commerce and society worldwide, FORTUNE lights the path for global leaders and gives them the tools to make business better. For more information, visit .
Barnama
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
ASEAN-GCC-CHINA DENGAN KDNK US$24.87 TRILION TAWAR POTENSI EKONOMI AMAT LUAS
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chairs the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED
