Latest news with #inclusivedevelopment
Mail & Guardian
5 days ago
- General
- Mail & Guardian
MBDA celebrates women who shape city's future
MBDA Board Chair, Glenda Perumal. The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) joins the nation in celebrating Women's Day on 9 August 2025 to honour the contributions of women who are helping to shape the social, economic and physical fabric of Nelson Mandela Bay. As an agency mandated to drive urban renewal and inclusive development, the MBDA recognises that the future of any city depends on the full and equal participation of all its people. This means elevating the voices of women in every aspect of planning and implementation. Over the years, women's voices have shaped some of the MBDA's most meaningful projects. 'Women bring a vital perspective to urban development,' says Glenda Perumal, Chair of the Mandela Bay Development Agency Board, 'especially when it comes to safety, access, sustainability and community cohesion.' This understanding is reflected across the MBDA's leadership. The agency's Operations arm is led by women, driving some of the Bay's most complex infrastructure and urban renewal projects. Key portfolios such as Psychosocial Development, Special Projects, Risk and Audit, the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre and others also benefit from female leadership. At governance level, the value of inclusive leadership is powerfully conveyed by Perumal. 'Being entrusted with this role in the city where I was born and raised is deeply meaningful to me. I understand the challenges our communities face from my own lived experience,' she says. 'Serving on this board means being able to guide decisions that affect the people of my city. I'm committed to ensuring that our work is both visionary and grounded in the everyday needs of our residents. It's a responsibility I carry with pride and care.' Her thoughts are echoed by fellow Board Member, Pinky Kondlo, who emphasises the need for a forward-thinking mindset: 'In every decision we make, we need to think long term. A development mindset means always asking how today's actions contribute to building tomorrow's opportunities. Women bring a powerful lens to that kind of thinking because we often hold a dual view that is both strategic and deeply human. That balance is essential to making development work.' The importance of women's leadership is clear to the MBDA's Operations Executive, Zinhle Thwala-Zulu, who oversees key construction and infrastructure projects: 'When we plan and deliver our projects, we shape how people live in the city,' she explains. 'On site, every decision matters. We have to think about timelines, quality, safety and a whole host of other factors. I make sure we deliver what's been promised, while also paying attention to the impact on the surrounding community. This requires technical skills and an understanding of how every decision affects people's daily lives. Our processes have to be embedded in community needs.' On the ground, women lead with community impact efforts. Lerato Muzah is the MBDA's Project Manager for Psycho-Social Projects. 'My role is about understanding people: their hopes, their challenges and their environment. Development has got to include that human element, otherwise it risks missing the point. People's well-being cannot be separated from it. Progress depends on how safe and connected people feel in their neighbourhoods, and in my experience, women are often the first to notice these changes in their communities.' Similarly, the Agency's Special Projects Manager, Isabel Myburgh-Vumazonke, highlights how the MBDA champions the drive to entrench culture and identity in development projects. 'Our city's identity matters. Whether I'm working on a heritage project or promoting creative industries, I try to make sure projects speak to where we've come from and where we're headed. The aim is to create spaces and projects that people connect with.' Behind the scenes, accountability is strengthened by the work of the Risk, Internal Audit and Compliance Manager, Tembela Bacela. 'My job is to help the organisation stay accountable to ensure clean governance. That means being alert, thinking critically and helping management to see risks and mitigate them effectively.' Female leadership extends to agency-operated sites, namely the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre. Managing stadium operations demands precision and teamwork, and the leadership team aims to deliver excellence to the city and to visitors alike. 'Every partnership or booking is an opportunity to enhance the stadium's economic role,' says Commercial Head, Zizipho Makwabe. 'I focus on creating value for the stadium and for the wider community. We all benefit if the stadium is a vibrant and busy place.' Singathwa Poswa, Research, Innovation and Sustainability Manager at the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre, feels strongly about the role of her team in supporting young people in Nelson Mandela Bay. 'I want every young person who walks into the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre to feel like they belong in science, especially girls. We envision the centre as a vibrant hub of STEM, innovation and skills development, where young minds are empowered to explore, create and grow. Our focus is on building confidence and curiosity about the knowledge and opportunities that this kind of learning opens up. Exposure to the possibilities that STEMI careers offer can change the direction of a young person's life in fundamental and exciting ways.' 'Honouring Women's Day also means recognising that there remains much to be done,' concludes Perumal. 'We cannot build a thriving, inclusive city without weaving women's experiences and ideas into its blueprint.'
Al Bawaba
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
AUS and UNDP partner to advance disability inclusion and climate-resilient development
Guided by a shared commitment to equity, accessibility and sustainable progress, American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have initiated a strategic partnership to strengthen collaboration in research, policy and community engagement. On the sidelines of the 'Europe Walk for Climate Change in Brussels: Leaving No One Behind,' held on June 12 and led by UNDP Regional Goodwill Ambassador Michael Haddad, Dr. Mohamed El-Tarhuni, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost at AUS, and Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States in UNDP, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that marks the beginning of a collaboration aimed at advancing inclusive responses to development challenges.'Our partnership with UNDP represents a strategic step toward shaping more inclusive and sustainable futures,' said Dr. El-Tarhuni. 'By combining AUS' research and educational capacity with UNDP's global development expertise, we aim to drive innovation at the intersection of climate resilience, accessibility and policy—advancing real solutions that leave no one behind.''Aligned with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, UNDP is committed to promoting disability-inclusive development that protects the rights of persons with disabilities,' stressed Al Dardari. 'And while persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change, not much research has been dedicated to understanding mechanisms through which such impacts materialize and how to address them. We hope this new partnership will fill this gap.'Through this agreement, AUS and UNDP will collaborate to explore the complex effects of climate change and crises on persons with disabilities, contributing to more effective, data-driven policymaking and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership will also emphasize community outreach and awareness to foster a culture of accessibility and promote community engagement in the co-creation of practical solutions that reflect lived experiences and local realities. This collaboration reinforces AUS' mission to serve society through knowledge, innovation and cross-sector engagement. It also affirms the university's expanding role as a regional and global hub for inclusive research, driving long-term development outcomes that benefit communities and individuals alike.
Argaam
28-05-2025
- Business
- Argaam
alrajhi bank recognized for SAR 44 million contribution to Autism Center of Excellence
Under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor of the Saudi Central Bank, Mr. Ayman Alsayari, the Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) honored alrajhi bank —represented by Chairman Mr. Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi—for its SAR 44 million contribution to the establishment and operation of the center over a five-year period. This recognition reflects the bank's unwavering commitment to social responsibility and inclusive development. The award was presented during a ceremony held on Wednesday, May 28, celebrating the completion of the ACE project. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abdullah Al Rajhi said, 'Our support for the Autism Center of Excellence stems from a deep belief in the vital role of the private sector in community engagement. We are proud to work alongside all relevant stakeholders and contribute to our wise leadership's efforts to deliver world-class care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder across the Kingdom.' He also extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Saudi Central Bank for championing the initiative to establish the Autism Center of Excellence, adding, 'With praise to Allah and the dedicated efforts of the ACE team, the Kingdom is now home to one of the largest and most advanced autism centers in the Middle East—positively impacting over 500,000 individuals with autism in Saudi Arabia.' Mr. Al Rajhi further acknowledged the center's team for their exceptional work in supporting individuals with autism and their families through specialized services including rehabilitation, research, professional training, family assistance, and vocational programs. He emphasized that ACE has become a national benchmark for autism care and service excellence. Established in 2019 under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and Saudi banks through the Saudi Central Bank, the Autism Center of Excellence serves individuals with autism and related developmental disorders. The center is dedicated to enhancing quality of life and elevating the standards of rehabilitation care across the Kingdom. alrajhi bank's support of ACE is part of its broader commitment to sustainable development and social impact. The bank has championed various healthcare initiatives, including the establishment of alrajhi medical centers, funding 91 kidney transplants, and contributing to the "Nation of Giving" campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. In education, the bank launched the "Orphan Education Sponsorship Program," covering tuition fees for 200 students annually. It also contributed SAR 80 million to the King Saud University Endowment and SAR 20 million to the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Endowment. In the housing sector, alrajhi bank partnered with the Developmental Housing Program to build 222 homes for families in need. In recognition of these impactful efforts, alrajhi bank received first place in the 'Gold Category for Social Responsibility Practices' awarded by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
