AGRICULTURE NEWS

$24 billion investment boost for African agriculture

1 JUL 2016 | SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT |  PDF    

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged 24 billion US dollars as an investment to ensure the implementation of the continent's agricultural transformation agenda, a statement has said.

USAID Africa Bureau Wikimedia Commons

The total investment for the Feed Africa, a strategy for agricultural transformation on the continent is estimated at between 315-400 billion dollars over the next 10 years, with annual returns of 85 billion dollars when fully funded.

Last week, the bank approved the strategy that will set Africa’s agricultural sector on a path of a competitive and inclusive agribusiness sector for the creation of wealth and improving lives of citizens, the statement added. The Feed Africa strategy makes a strong case for reversing the situation of a continent that spends 35.4 billion dollars on food imports annually despite being home to 65 percent of the world’s undeveloped arable land, it added.

According to the bank’s figures, some 70 percent of Africa’s population and about 80 percent of its poor who live in rural areas depend on agriculture and non-farm rural enterprises for their livelihoods.

The strategy will focus on scaling up agriculture as a business through value addition, led by the private sector and enabled by the public sector, and using innovative financing mechanism. It aims to end hunger and rural poverty in Africa in the next decade.

Source: naija247news.com

AGRI AFRICA

AGRIBUSINESS NEWS

Training programme to improve access to fertilisers and smallholder development

7 JUL 2016 | SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT |  PDF    

The Limpopo province's smallholder farmers are continuously confronted with the challenges of raising their productivity to boost food security due to limited access and low use of fertilisers - a neglected but critical input that can double yields within a single cropping season.

©VASILIS VERVERIDIS via 123RF

Fertilisers, in addition to inputs such as better seed and farming practices, can be a game changer in food security among South Africa's smallholder farmers who are battling falling harvests and unproductive soils. Research has established that for every kilogramme of nutrients smallholder farmers apply to their soils, they can realise up to 30kg in additional products.

The importance of developing agriculture SMEs

"There is a big push at the continental level to enhance agriculture productivity in Africa in line with the Maputo Declaration to increase agricultural productivity and food security and South Africa is part of that movement," African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) vice-president, Prof. Richard Mkandawire, told participants at an entrepreneurship development support training programme held for smallholder farmers and agro-dealers in Limpopo Province and facilitated by Kynoch, a fertiliser manufacturer.

"To grow and support SMEs in Africa is the pathway if we are to reduce hunger and poverty. The future of South Africa is about growing those rural enterprises that will support smallholder farmers and employment creation."

Despite their high contribution to economic growth and job creation, SMEs are challenged by among other factors, funding and access to finance, according to the 2015/16 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report. Lack of finance is a major reason for SMEs - which contribute 45 percent to South Africa's GDP- leaving a business in addition to the poor management skills which are a result of lack of adequate training and education. 

Building smallholder capacity, strengthening emerging agro-dealers

The training programme is part of the African Fertilizer Volunteers Program (AFVP) run jointly by the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) and AFAP to build the capacity of smallholder farmers on production inputs and their use. In addition, the training programme - an Africa-wide initiative - seeks to strengthen emerging agro-dealers in the Limpopo Province and develop strong private sector networks along the fertiliser value chain. To date, more than 100 agro-dealers have been trained in Limpopo Province under the AFVP.

Kynoch managing director, Eugene Muller, regional head - fertilisers and agri-inputs said: "Kynoch, part of the ETG Fertilizer, would like to contribute and play its part in assisting the African continent feed itself by ensuring that smallholder farmers are able to use fertilisers optimally in boosting their yields." By using more fertilisers correctly, South Africa's smallholder farmers can grow more and nutritious food, achieve household food security, create jobs, increase incomes and boost rural development, Prof. Mkandawire said. 

Trained to use fertilisers optimally

Smallholder farmers and agro-dealers were trained on basic knowledge about fertilisers, soils, plant nutrients, safe storage of fertilisers, environmental safety and business management skills. 

Agriculturalist and trainer at Kynoch, Schalk Grobbelaar said smallholder farmers in Limpopo are applying fertilisers randomly because they lack knowledge on their correct usage. "Fertiliser increase yields. We fertilise what crops will take away and we put back into the soil but farmers lack knowledge on the balancing fertilisers according to what crops need," said Grobbelaar.

High transaction costs throughout Africa are one of the several barriers to smallholder farmers accessing and using fertilisers, a situation AFAP is working to change through facilitating Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) models which including developing effective fertiliser markets and providing credit guarantee facilities for agro-dealers

INTERNET NEWS

Tshwane wins global award for bridging digital divide

1 JUL 2016 | SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT |  PDF    

The City of Tshwane received international recognition by winning the World Wi-Fi Day Award for Most Innovative City or Government Program to bridge the Digital Divide, in Liverpool, England.

An award in this category recognises cities, governments and organisations that develop local and national plans to bridge the digital divide. Shortlisted projects must evidence the successful implementation of comprehensive Wi-Fi solutions which innovatively overcome the challenges and complexities associated with these large-scale deployments.

The Tshwane Free Wi-Fi has brought 1.8 million citizens in the capital city online in the biggest deployment of municipal free Wi-Fi on the African continent. The roll-out has been made possible through the city’s collaborative partnership with Project Isizwe. Together Tshwane and the South African NGO have built relationships and developed innovative and feasible financial and technical solutions to make the roll-out possible. 

The World Wi-Fi Day Awards were presented at the Wireless Global Congress currently being held in Liverpool. The awards celebrate the success stories across the world that are connecting the unconnected and contributing to global socio-economic development. The City of Tshwane, with Project Isizwe as the implementing partner, was shortlisted in this category alongside Intersection and Liquid Telecom, two internationally recognised providers in the deployment of Wi-Fi.

Internet is a human right

"Our free Wi-Fi project has radically undermined the adverse effects of unaffordable internet access by narrowing the hitherto glaring digital divide," said incumbent Tshwane Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa. “We will continue to be a shining example of what it means to employ the use of technology to lead the way towards a South Africa that is democratic, inclusive, united and prosperous – ours will be the global cyber capital," said Ramokgopa.

“An award in this category, showcases the need for relationship building and partnership with local government in the provision of free Wi-Fi for South African citizens. Just like electricity and water, internet is a human right which we are working closely with municipalities to enable,” said Project Isizwe CEO, Zahir Khan. 

Project Isizwe was also shortlisted in the category: Best Wi-Fi Deployment to Connect the Unconnected in Rural Environment for the organisation’s Limpopo project. The prize in this category was awarded to Liquid Telecom for their free Wi-Fi project in Nakuru County, Kenya.

INTERNET NEWS

South Africa votes against internet freedom

6 JUL 2016 | SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT |  PDF    

According to a report via Fin24, South Africa has joined other nations such as China and Russia in voting against a United Nations resolution on the "promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the internet".

©Marc Dietrich via 123RF

The resolution was however supported by countries ranging from Australia, the US, UK, Nigeria, Senegal, and Turkey. The report reveals that the United Nations had held a vote on the resolution, which seeks to bring political commitment from member states to protect human rights online such as freedom of expression and privacy.

According to the report, the resolution additionally seeks to ensure the release of those imprisoned for the “legitimate” freedom of expression online. As revealed by the report, other key points of the resolution include investigating attacks against bloggers or other internet users, and refraining from preventing access to information online by, for example, shutting down the internet during key times such as elections or terror attacks.

Within the article, it is revealed that Russia and China requested amendments to the draft resolution to remove items such as text on freedom of expression and the shutting down of internet access. However, the amendments weren’t adopted and most countries voted for the human rights resolution, which will be adopted by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

With the results in, as revealed by the report, nations who had voted against internet freedom have been placed in the spotlight.

Thomas Hughes, the executive director of global free press organisation Article 19 stated within the article that: “We are disappointed that democracies like South Africa, Indonesia, and India voted in favour of these hostile amendments to weaken protections for freedom of expression online.”

“A human rights-based approach to providing and expanding internet access, based on states’ existing international human rights obligations, is essential to achieving the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, and no state should be seeking to slow this down,” Hughes added.

Apart from South Africa, India and Indonesia, other countries that voted in favour of the amendment and against the resolution included the likes of Kenya, Qatar, Russia, China, Cuba, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.

SOWETAN

Malema wants to make education ‘fashionable’

By Boitumelo Tshehle | Jul 06, 2016 | 

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema said if he wins the local 

government elections next month he will make sure that he makes education 

fashionable.

Malema who arrived an hour and 30 minutes late in Dibate village in Mahikeng‚ North West‚ on Wednesday‚ said he was determined to restore the dignity of young people ‚ especially those at a lower level.

He visited the mighty green sport ground in Dibate village as part of his party’s local election campaign manifesto.

He said if people vote for his party‚ he will make sure that there will be decent roads‚ houses‚ primary health care‚ jobs and education in the country.

He said white people looked more intelligent that blacks because they instil education in their children at an early age.

“We must capture our children’s education at an early age. Creches are not a luxury‚ it’s a basic necessity. Teach them young so that they grow up inside the education system‚” he said.

He said his party wants to see children and youth competing for education and making it
fashionable.

 “It is very late to take your child to school at the age of seven because white people’s children
can count at the age of four whereas black children struggle to count at seven‚” he said.

He said people must not use material things to determine the success of an individual‚ but
rather use the knowledge that they have to accumulate it.

TMG Digital/Sowetan

CITY PRESS

Don Mkhwanazi – A giant of BEE has fallen

Zinhle Mapumulo2016-07-03 15:00

Don Mkhwanazi

Businessman and former president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, Moses Tembe, who was with Mkhwanazi moments before he died, said his death still felt unreal.Many referred to him as the godfather of BEE. Others knew him as an ally of President Jacob Zuma’s. To many black business people, Don Mkhwanazi (63) was a business mentor who never compromised on business principles.

“One moment, he was chatting as usual and the next he was gone,” he said.

The pioneer of BEE was at a friend’s party when he died of what is believed to be a heart attack. He said he wanted to rest and sat down.

His friends later noticed that he was not sitting comfortably and discovered that he was not breathing. He was rushed to Netcare Umhlanga Hospital in Durban north and was certified dead on arrival.

Sandile Zungu, vice-president of the Black Business Council, said he was devastated by the news of Mkhwanazi’s death.

Zungu described Mkhwanazi as “very loyal, courageous and fearless. He was principled to the core on issues he believed in and was ready to die for those issues.

“His commitment to BEE was impeccable. He was a person who stood for BEE when it was least fashionable to do so,” he said.

Mzwanele Manyi, former president of the Black Management Forum (BMF) and president of the Progressive Professionals Forum, recalled how Mkhwanazi, also a founder of the BMF, used to say he was raising corporate guerillas who would transform the corporate world.

“I would call him in the middle of the night asking him for advice, and he would gladly assist. He always advised me to be principled and true to the call [entrepreneurship],” Manyi said.

Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko echoed the same sentiments, saying a fearless black business giant had fallen.

“When others went with the flow, Don dared to be different and stood for what he believed in,” Maseko said.

Apart from being the pioneer of BEE and its implementation before it became government policy, he started the National Empowerment Trust in 1992, founded the BMF and was the chairperson of the anti-apartheid debt committee that made presentations to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1997.

Southern African Shipyards, a company he co-owned, made headlines in December 2014 when it was awarded navy contracts worth R406 million.

A few months before that, the company had been awarded a R1.4 billion contract by Transnet to build tugboats. His critics cited his close relationship with Zuma as the reason for this good fortune.

Mkhwanazi had strong ANC links and helped form the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust. Earlier this year, Mkhwanazi and other businessmen offered to help Zuma repay the debt he owes on Nkandla.

Mkhwanazi is survived by his wife, Zodwa Msimang, and five children.

SOURCE: CITY PRESS

TECH STARTUPS NEWS

Dell, Microsoft launch online platform supporting global startups, hubs

30 JUN 2016 | SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT |  PDF    BY: TOM JACKSON

A partnership between Dell, Microsoft, Capital Factory and 1776 has announced the launch of international startup platform Union, aimed at supporting the next billion entrepreneurs by supporting and connecting them and removing barriers to innovation regardless of location.

©alphaspirit via 123RF

The platform is set to benefit African startups, with 1776 and Microsoft already active on the continent, and is accessible through the Startup Federation – a worldwide network with already more than 30 startup campuses and mega-hubs.

Union will provide entrepreneurs anywhere in the world with the ability to reach the people, resources and education they need to take their ideas from seed to scale. It has been designed by 1776’s team of engineers and aided by insights from incubators, accelerators, hubs and experts around the world.

The platform enables entrepreneurs to find content and courses in business-building, tap elite mentors in their industries for advice, consult experts in skills like marketing, sales, engineering and human resources, and connect with potential investors, customers and business partners.

“Smart entrepreneurs with highly promising ideas exist everywhere on the planet, and it’s time to stop letting location limit young companies’ ability to grow,” said Donna Harris, co-founder of 1776.

“With technology connecting a network of local startup hubs, together we can empower entrepreneurs everywhere to share classes, content, mentors and other critical resources needed to succeed.”

Entrepreneurship hubs around the world will also be able to share the tools and programming playbooks needed to operate a world-class startup centre, with Capital Factory to play a key role in this effort.

“Many cities lack a robust networks of local mentors and investors to help startup companies grow,” said Joshua Baer, executive director of Capital Factory in Austin. “With the Startup Federation and Union, every city can give their startups access to the best help and programming from around the world. We’re thrilled to be the first to join.”

Karen Quintos, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Dell, said entrepreneurs powered global economies, creating 70% of all new jobs in the world and up to 90 per cent in some emerging markets.

“Dell and 1776 are partnering to enable entrepreneurs by creating avenues for entrepreneurs, wherever they are in the world, to access the experts, channels, customers and investors they need to take their ideas to scale and drive job creation in their communities,” she said.

Larry Orecklin, vice president for developer experience and chief evangelist at Microsoft, said the company was excited to be part of Union to help entrepreneurs take their ideas to the next level.

“Microsoft is committed to equipping innovative startups with the tools, mentorship and customer access that they need to grow. Through our partnership with 1776 and Union, we’ll be able to reach and support more startups, even faster,” he said.